[Shinzy]

This is something that has actually bothered me for a long time, and for some reason I never thought to tell anymore until recently.

I've got a major problem discerning dreams from reality, and sometimes don't know if I'm really awake or asleep. I did some light searching a while back that suggested 'reality tests' like holding your breath and such, but so far I react just like I react in reality- I'm unable to breath, and thus think it is reality even when it is not.

Is there any particular reason for this, and is there anything that could help it go away? It's annoying and does interfere in my waking life quite often.

[Perna]

When is it a problem Shinzy? Presumably you get up in the morning and until you climb back in bed, can act like you're awake? The thoughts and feelings that trail from our dreams when we first get up are uncomfortable sometimes and can influence our day (I've been afraid of areas because of "snakes" I dreamed about) but logic should help some; you knew to post here, knew this was "real" and will come read the replies, etc.

I don't know if it matters a whole lot when you're talking to someone or doing a regular task whether you're awake or asleep? People in reality aren't going to suddenly start flying or suddenly do anything or "skip" scenes/sequences. I would look for the little details like that, if it leaves out going to the bathroom in a regular way, or acts like a story in a book, all what's happening in my thoughts/head and none of the little things that give texture to reality, then it's probably a dream. But if somebody dressed like a genie hands you a lantern, rub it and make a wish, what the heck!

If you have trouble getting up in the morning because you dream you've gotten up; that's a different problem and may require multiple alarm clocks and/or someone physically waking you and a lot of discipline to get up when the alarm says it's time.

[WLFTW]

Could this be derealization?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derealization

The seems to be related to dissociation.

I had periods in my life where everything felt like a dream..a lucid dream. I don't personally think this is bad per se unless it affects your life negatively. If it's a good dream or if it's a nightmare will dictate whether or not you want to end the derealization. For me, it became a nightmare, and I stopped derealizing on antipsychotic medication.

If however you can still function to your satisfaction when you dream, I personally don't see a reason to try to snap out of it.

[Shinzy]

Perna- It's a problem during any time of the day. It's not that I don't feel like I'm awake, everything just has this odd sensation around it that I'm actually dreaming. I try looking out for surreal or extraordinary things so I can tell the difference, but it's like I don't have that 'control' example to tell what is normal and what is really far out there when it happens.

WLFTW- You have a good point. So far nothing bad has happened when I feel like I'm dreaming, I guess the sensation just freaks me out in itself. I read over that link, and I don't think that's what it sounds like to me.

But thank you, that just made me realize I don't really have anything to be scared of about it. That makes me feel a lot better