Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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rsimmons 08/29/2011

Does anyone else feel like they are fading away, or sort of outside of yourself? I feel this way most of the time. I have felt this strange feeling even prior to getting on meds and the feeling has not gone away. I always feel it in various degrees.

Is this feeling common to Bipolar, or is it something else? I also posted this on the Depression Support Group. I am trying to understand what this stems from. My doctors don't have an answer for me.

Any thoughts?

deleted_user 08/29/2011

I do not know if this is the same shit I just posted as...weird shit.....but if it is feeling like you are going to die and that your spirit is going for the exits then I understand.....

rsimmons 08/29/2011

I know. It is weird.I don't feel as if I'm going to die necessarily. More like I am going to lose consciousness, or collapse at any moment. Now this is really going to sound strange. But it is like it takes more than a common amount of effort to stay conscious (in this dimension).

deleted_user 08/29/2011

I have a friend elsewhere who experiences dimensional shifts. I'd say that it is best to stay in this dimension and within ones self.

Antipsychotics can help but so can meditation.

rsimmons 08/29/2011

Thank you for your comment ekatepnha.

Dimensional shifts? I have never heard of this term before. Thanks for helping me to label this feeling.

I am on meds. And I think they are Antipsychotics, but they do not seem to have an effect on this particular feeling. I will google Dimensional shifts and see what else I can learn about this.

DivineSilence 08/29/2011

Probably depersonalization. It is really common with anxiety and anxiety disorders. It is also not uncommon with Bipolar. People describe it as being outside themselves, or not being fully there, or feeling like they are in a dream, even though reality testing is always intact. I have chrinic DP, have had it for 35 years now.... I find that meditation makes it worse but mindfulness exercises seem to help some. Oh it is also a common side effect of smoking pot for some people and can take up to 6 months to go away even after they quit smoking it.

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

rsimmons 08/29/2011

Thank you for your comment Divine Silence.

I believe you have hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what I am talking about. I do not smoke anything, but I do have General Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar 2 and Major Depressive Disorder. I suppose it could be a product of any or all of these conditions.

Thanks again.

dobiedots 08/29/2011

I've always been Bipolar so I don't know if that feeling is unique to just Bipolars or if all humans get it. I get it a few times a month. Don't know what it is. I try to ignore it and keeps busy doing things.

deleted_user 08/29/2011

Is that the same feeling as the one where your brain or body's synchronicity changes - it feels like time is either speeding up or slowing down around you, etc?

Now that's weird. They show it in movies sometimes, and makes me wonder if Other people experience it, or just imagine it?

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