This is called "Bewilderment" and I too am afraid of this one particular symptom out of all the other ones as it feels very odd, I have said it feels like an out of body experience and that you are "floating" or can feel like your head is all "Floaty" and things begin to look strange because you start to panic and have more anxiety and distress from teh symptom wondering all the "What If's" and start to Obsess by saying "omg I'm going crazy, I'm dying, I'm going to faint, or have a heart attack, I feel like I'm choking, I can't breathe, ETC. - Bewilderment is similar to if say you were to have been in shock in an accident and your brain realizes how much distress your body is under so it temporarily removes your mind and thoughts from the stresses, but it feels very scary I agree, I have had it happen to me several times since I have had the agoraphobia/anxiety disorder since 95, the good thing is that there is this awesome program that I really hope you can get your hands on, this is what helped me to cope and deal with this entire list of symptoms I was physically having, Lucinda Bassett, its a 14 tape or cd program that you can find online or ebay for way less, I have been using it for years and it really teaches you finally how to deal with the symptoms and how to even find humor in some of the things you have changed about yourself that you do because you are in a Panic Attack or how to stop the panic attack from happening, I can email it to you if you would like if you add me as a friend, I sent a friend request to you - By far this is the best program I have listened to as I didnt want to waste lots of money and time trying to find things that were going to be a waste in the end, this one I listen to and has a workbook and all sorts of awesome people on there that talk about this very same odd symptom including Lucinda herself.....Bewilderment is just a way of saying that your brain has temporarily removed you from all the stress and trauma but it is the result you get while you are temporarily away, once you learn what it is and learn how to cope with it and have trained yourself all the positive things to say to yourself, they dont really come back, I haven't had it happen to me in several years now but when I do feel it coming on, I usually grab my head and put them in between my hands thinking "oh no here it comes again, that weird spaced out feeling" and you kinda have to learn how to reverse the "oh no reaction" which it can be done, I'm living proof :)

I get a similar feeling to depersonalization when I get in crowds, especially when I can't easily get away like on a crowded train. I wish I could be more helpful, but my method of dealing with it has been to hermit-up and I can't recommend it. It's not really very healthy.

I also get that relaxation = panic reaction. I think it's because my brain isn't doing as much so it goes back to it's natural state: negative/intrusive thoughts . It sounds a bit childish but I've taken to making up stories in my head, consciously keeping them light, to try to counter act it. Sometimes it even works.

It's the worst when I try to sleep, my brain seems to have an automatic "lets find the worst memories possible and flash them at him" program that runs as soon as my head hits the pillow.

I've often found that any anxiety can start me going into an obsessive spiral too and it can be very difficult to pull out of them. Sometimes I can meditate it away (if I have the quiet, space and time I need) but I often wind up taking a pill. I don't know what your stance on meds is, but personally I've found them very useful for when I'm overwhelmed. They calm me down enough so I can calm myself down the rest of the way.

Ive actually heard of lucinda, i read one of her books and it was helpful :) its always good too know..i have a few other books i read up on about anxiety and techniques and it is helpful! and @guyincognito, Im glad im not alone with the whole negative thought thing when i try to relax, its like a tape recording that just keeps going and going and its so frustrating. it really is hard too deal with..thank you both for the great advice, it ids very helpful, especially not too feel so alone anymore :)

You definitely aren't alone. Something I've been working on is trying to realize that just because I feel a certain way doesn't mean things *are* that way, you know? If you need help, please feel free to message me. At the moment I have nothing but free time. It's a double edged sword, but I'd really like to use it to help people if I can.

oh i know that "dreamy" feeling well and yes like the others here have explained it is a defense mechanisim that kicks in because your feeling overwhelmed. the body does so many things to protect us from us stress...i think its weird that anexity and ocd are just ways our brain tries to protect us. we get these thoughts about things that bother us so that we get distracted from the real problems that are stressing us. weird....but dont worry i used to have chronic aniexity and panic attacks when i was in my teens and 20's. with therapy, time, and determination i started controlling the "casastophic thoughts" and realized they were only thoughts and they couldnt hurt me. after a while when i started to think something scary or uncomfortable i would stop it in its tracks and finally it all went away. i know its hard to believe but they will go away and even when u go to sleep the thoughts will leave u alone. now unfortunately i recently got extreme ocd and im in my mid thirties. but for the last year ive been working on it just like i did wit the panic attacks. some days are better than others but im trying to do the best i can. dont worry about all the thoughts that hit you. its rapid thought syndrom. it will stop with time. when it happens just try to relax and remember they are only thoughts and what u feel is ONLY and feeling. you are in contol not ur thoughts or ur mind. YOU are in charge...

thank you so much, i know stopping the thoughts is the best way to do it, sometimes it works, sometimes im way too panicy and just think im going to die or go crazy but once i calm myself down its so much easier too see more clearly. and yeah, i know a lot of people who say the 20's are a very normal age to get anxiety and panc issues. im sorry too hear about your recent ocd :( if you ever need help feel free to message me! I have the mostly obsessive part of OCD,,uncontrollable obsessions that replay all the time. I have a few compulsions but nothing compared to the obsessiveness. Thanks for the advice and I hope i can help u out as well :)

Hi Violet,

I get a bit strange in the head and dissociate a bit too. It's just a stress reaction. OCD is stressful!!! You're just under too much pressure. You're not going crazy, and you are definitely not dying. The feeling will pass. Just like with the intrusive thoughts, the more you stress, the worse it gets. Do you use any breathing techniques to help? This is what my therapist has suggested to me. Take some deep breaths and try to relax.