That's just what this old anxiety does to us and you are right. The DS family all stick together. You see I sometimes think I post too much but someone always replies and understands. When something goes wrong I run to the computer and straight to DS. We have to all keep thinking positive that we will overcome it. Not always easy to do.

I spent most of the day at a friends house to get away from the apts I live in. Real pretty day and sat outside and walked in the park nearby. Then came home feeling pretty good. Neighbor next to me was blasting music, People upstairs were having a knock down. I mean glass was breaking and screaming. She takes off and he follows her. Next thing we knew we could hear the smoke alarm going off and we couldn't get in. We called the fire dept and police. Goes to show some days I want to feel like i'm not really here. lol So now i'm looking for a place to move ugh! So this is really good for the anxiety yeh! right.

Hang in there . We will overcome and this too shall pass!!!!!

The more you post here, the better it is for you and for everyone here, as we're here to help each other and communication is the posts!
Anxiety affects us in strange ways, and knowing it's anxiety is a big relief when you realize that no one else knows what's happening, and so you can just move forward, enjoy the event like a movie or whatever, and be positive that you are healing!
Neighbors can be nasty, no matter where you live.

Perhaps the panic attack was not as bad as you thought it was if she did not even notice. I am glad you find comfort talking with others who know what it is like is very helpful. Welcome:)

I'm so sorry you're having such awful episodes. I'm no doctor, but these existential thoughts may be caused by adreneline and/or other chemicals racing around in your head. I sometimes wonder the opposite, if I'm real but everything else isn't. Sometimes I wonder if I'm in a coma from a car accident I had a while back. Especially when things are going really well and I'm feeling happy. So, I have the exact opposite thought you have when I'm feeling the exact opposite of you :( Sorry if I wasn't helpful, but you certainly have my sympathy and support :)

if u want to practice depresonalization just stare at urself in the mirror untill u are comfotable with it...its not recomenned to a lot of people to do bc it is very frighting....like have u ever just been driving and think...i dont remmber if that light turned green or did i just go though a red light....somtimes if u become comfortable with it and when a panic attack happens u can notice it and try and ride it out. i know al my syptoms when i get a panic attack now and i kinda just am like idont even care if i get a panic attack i get one...it'll end eventually. good luck

jeff you are such a strong person especially through all this anxiety that you go through. You are so young and when i think about my situation i am weak and i cant take all the emotions and feelings I go through its really took an impact on me and my life. But when i see your postings and the different things that have happened to you. I wish i could be that strong. I mean are anxiety issues are so similar and you figure out ways to overcome the anxiety. I just wish it would all go away. I DONT WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT ANYMORE... And i to say THANK YOU to and all the advice you have given me. I really appreciate it.

This is such a great community! And YES that feeling of wondering if your real is very common lol even though that sounds really strange =/ Anyway, the things I've read about it is that it is just the minds way of "taking a break" from the overload of the panic! It just has to get some relief, and that kind of floating, not real feeling, is the way it escapes! Stay strong!!

Sometimes your thoughts start racing and you begin to worry about stuff that you would normally not worry you. For example, I get anxious when I am thinking about my future and what I am going to do to control this anxiety. DS is a really good site; sometimes, it is just helpful to write what you are feeling instead of simply avoiding those thoughts. When you are having these anxious thoughts you should try to stop and think about what is making you anxious and see if it is really something that important. I know that at the moment it might not feel that helpful, but it has worked to help keep me calm.

This is really common and is just a product of over-thinking. Anytime you focus on something too much....it can be a word, your reflection in the mirror, or a feeling, etc....it will become distorted.


I have noticed that people who are high tend to do this a lot. lol (My brother liked to party, so i have witnessed a LOT of high people in my day.) The only difference is that they are high and think its hysterical. We are nervous and scared and high strung people, so when it happens to us, we freak out about it and, of course, wonder "what it means", and obsess and dwell on it which only makes the feeling worse.

The thing to remember is that nothing about anxiety is worth analyzing. Nothing.. not the palpitations. Not the fear. Not the intrusive thoughts. Not depersonalization. Not panic attacks. Not throat tightening. Nothing. It is all just gunk inside our heads that is completely meaningless. And it is a never ending cycle anyway. There is no answer. We are never going to analyze a feeling so much that it doesn't bother us anymore. That will NEVER happen. Analyzing a symptom will never make us feel better. Questioning things only creates more questions. The only way to make it better is to NOT analyze it and just let it go. We have to ignore out strong urge to question and wonder and obsess.
It is so hard, because we are the magnet and analyzing is the steel. But we gotta fight it and just train ourselves to get focused on something else.

Thank you all again for your amazing posts. Def made me feel better to know i'm not alone in this.

I totaly agree with mideyebrow.... Neighbors can be such a pain in the ass sometimes. Luckily, I live in a house. But my frieds live in apartments and people are so loud and rude. I dobt think i would handle that much.

Jenname: im going to try to do what you suggested. As a matter of fact right after i post this. Ill let you know how it goes.

Miranda: how have you slept as of late? Have you tried meditation? If so how did it work for you?

And thank you lilygirl, your posts never fail to amaze me haha

I have never personally experienced depersonalization/derealization or a panic attack for that matter. I really hope I dont get it. I do remember having that feeling as a child though. The scariest thing, it was like I am not real and that I am in a dreamworld. I was 4 years old and walking around Target holding my moms hand and BAM! Never have had it since but I know exactly how scary.