Hey, My name is Mike, I am 39 and live in Northeast FL. I wanted to join a group who is dealing with the DP/DR, although from reading, research and visitng the DR, it appears I am dealing with DR. I have always dealt with anxiety since I was young and worry, some things in my control, others way out of my control. I have lived a very good life, and am happy where I am in life approaching age 40. Good health, excercise regularly, am happily married, no financial issues, my biggest stressor is probabaly work right now basically with the nature of my job. I think it is in my blood to worry and deal with anxiety. My DR started happening chronically in June 2011. My boss was on vacation, the head of my office was riding me hard and was faced with alot of travel due to 2 weddings I did not want to goto out of state. I was concerned also about a medical problem that was progrssively getting worse (which has since been cured the first few months of this year).

I bascially get feelings similar to DR, light sensitivity, feeling like I am behind a glass door and things just don't seem clear. I notice it most, mid day, and in areas such as large crowds, in the mall, flourecent lights etc. I don't have any other symptoms such as headache, that would lead me to be lieve it would be worse. I went to my primary Dr and based on regular checkups and requesting minor scripts for flying anxiety, when I discussed these most recent symptoms, he diagnosed anxiety disorder. He ran blood work on my thyroid, kidneys, CBC and liver and all were excellent. I visit the eye dr every year and last year and most recent visit did not show any decline in vision, blood clots, optic nerve damage or tumors in the front of the brain. I some times get the pressure feeling. My primary MD prescrivbed a very low dosage of Alprazolam which I have been taking for 8 months but am slowly tapering as I would like to confront without a prescription. I trust my doc and he mentioned that sometimes you can do evrything physcailly possible and anxiety can do serious damage and is working with me on tapering which should be completed over the next month.

I have read other options for dealing with DR such as accupuncture, and consideres a psychologist or psychiatrist but don't want to pursue the medicines as I dont even take multivitamins or supplements. To look at me, you would never know anything was wrong.

I am not surprised by the DR episodes but they are consistent and still pretty scary. I wanted to join a support forum to get help and advice. I have read people have dealt with DP/DR for over 20 years. The last year has been tough and I would like to feel like myself again, and am open to any advice, information or developments. I never out off health issues and this one has been the toughest to solve.

Mike