Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Hi everyone,
I've had anxiety as a child, with intense symptoms appearing in my college days, and manageable in my adult days. I'm in the midst of switching between medications because of side effects and my anxiety has been worse than ever - perhaps because the new drug needs some time to start working.
I'm having the typical gut-wrenching, need to go to the bathroom, nauseating anxiety than I remember before my anxiety was manageable, but I'm stating to have this new symptom of "derealization" - like I'm an observer/stranger in my own life; that things are not "real"; and I'm not actually alive and in my own body. Has anyone has similar symptoms and been able to get past them?
Thank you!
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I haven't written in my diary on my computer since May because I thought that my computer was dying. I got away from writing but my computer is hanging in there. I think that I will start writing in it again. It's so therapeutic.
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Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job. It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it. Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown. There was a full length mirror in the changing room. I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like. It was a reality check.
You've taken the important first step in writing it out.
Every individual has anxiety symptoms that affect them in ways that only they can figure out how to adjust and get their anxiety back within normal range.
Best wishes as you find your better balance.
I'm 40 now. If I had a penny for every time I felt that way, I could retire. I won't tell you what to do, since everybody is different, but what I will do is share what works for me.
It's a scary feeling, no doubt about it. Even all these years later it creeps me out. I do one or a combination of a few things.
-Getting out off whatever situation I'm in. Meaning, if I'm on the freeway, I get off and drive down side roads for a bit. If I am inside sitting around, I'll go outside and go for a walk, etc. I feel if I change what I'm doing and shift my focus, it helps a lot.
-Keep my mind busy with something else. Even something tedious. Fold the laundry, unload the dishwasher, stuff like that. Focusing my brain on some other activities makes me forget all about the other nonsense and helps tether me back to reality.
- Exercise! This helps me SO much. In that kind of situation it brings me back to feeling balanced again, plus I feel great for working out and doing something good.
Just hang in there and know that it won't actually hurt you, and it will pass after a little while. As my old therapist used to tell me all the time- "it's just uncomfortable for a bit, and you can handle uncomfortable, you're gonna do fine."
Good luck and hopefully better times are ahead for you!
I'm assuming that "Derealization" and "Dissociation" are two names for the same disorder. I've looked up the diffs more than once and? ? ? The diffs are clear as my senses when in the grips of an episode, by whatever name. They happen most often when I am stressed out and on sensory overload. Popular theory holds dissociation as a coping mechanism which allows us to survive insane circumstances. In my own case, that coping mechanism has escalated far beyond functional levels.
Tactile grounding exercises are my front line response to a dissociative episode. The simplicity of grounding exercises is using my physical senses to guide me back from my psychic fog. Running my fingers across a table top. Appreciating a breeze on my face. A hug from a therapy supporter. The possibilities are quite literally infinite.
But that is me and every case is unique. . .
Hope you'll feel safe to sort your own case here. Sort freely. Sort often.
Welcome aboard.
Dissociation started as a kid. And as it helped me in the immediate escape panic. , in the long run it became a coping mechanism that did more harm I still struggle with it when I’m panickedd
Derealization for me is yes that watching of myself from a distance where I don’t quite feel like myself and it’s as if I’m watching myself and what’s going on around me almost like watching a movie. Nothing seems real and I feel like robotical. I think if it as my mind taking a break while I’m awake. I always eventually feel better. It takes time
Dissociation is more severe for me as I mentally block out feelings , emotions. Things that have happened. I can seem not wuite myself and again robotical All signs of severe stress. I know when it starts up. I need to get my stress level down