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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dave1 on August 11, 2002, at 13:30:30
Hi,
I have been feeling very depressed and stressed lately. I've also been get some really 'weird'
feelings. Sometimes when I look at things around me they look very unfamiliar. Lots of times I feel like I'm not part of my body. Also when I look at things they don't seem to make as much sense as they used to.Has anyone else had this? Is this part of depression. Is it insanity?
Thanks,
Dave
Posted by Dinah on August 11, 2002, at 13:54:55
In reply to Feeling weird, posted by Dave1 on August 11, 2002, at 13:30:30
Hi Dave,
Sounds like some dissociation and some derealization. You definitely aren't going insane (or I hope not, as I experience it fairly frequently). It usually is an expression of extreme anxiety or stress. You say you're under a lot of stress. Are you feeling really anxious?
Posted by katekite on August 11, 2002, at 20:53:29
In reply to Re: Feeling weird » Dave1, posted by Dinah on August 11, 2002, at 13:54:55
Dissociation is a pretty common reaction to severe stress (even to normal stresses if you are depressed). When dissociated, people tend to not experience negative emotions as deeply: maybe it has a protective effect in that sense.
There are strategies to deal with it. If you are very good at dissociating (if it is happening a lot), it is better to work at not experiencing it. (At least this is what my therapist says...) If it feels good and comes easily and often it can become too easy of a reflex, almost a habit, and get in the way of experiencing good things as well as bad. It can get in the way of connecting with others and feeling emotions deeply.
One strategy to get out of it is to really immerse yourself in a physical or auditory sensation. For example, listening to really loud music, or focussing on the crunching of chewing something like celery or carrots, something jarring and noisy. Physical activity with focussing hard on your feet hitting the ground can also help, or any physical game that requires full attention.
Medications will make it better or worse for different people. There's no class of medications that always make it better or worse.
If its not frightening and isn't happening very often (less than daily) it's not necessarily anything to fight and will probably just go away on its own when depression or anxiety gets better.
It's not even close to crazy -- don't worry about that. But it definitely can make you feel weird.
Kate
Posted by Dave1 on August 12, 2002, at 1:00:11
In reply to Re: Feeling weird, posted by katekite on August 11, 2002, at 20:53:29
Thank you both for your responses, but what exactly is the dissassociating. Also, I think my pdoc said you can only get it if you were abused, which I wasn't.
Thanks,
Dave
Posted by Dinah on August 12, 2002, at 4:29:18
In reply to Re: Feeling weird, posted by Dave1 on August 12, 2002, at 1:00:11
Dissociating is a behavior that naturally occurs as a coping mechanism.
Dissociative identity disorder (which used to be known as multiple personality disorder) is a disorder that usually is diagnosed in people who have had severe childhood abuse.
But there are other dissociative disorders, and not all dissociation is a disorder. Dissociation is a pretty natural thing, and only becomes a disorder if it has a significant negative impact on a person't life.
Ever started driving home and arrived home while not remembering the trip? Ever started to watch a movie and got so engrossed that you didn't remember who you are or where you were until the end? Those are both common examples of dissociation, and neither is pathological.
Have you ever heard of people who are in a crisis, say an earthquake or a car accident, who later say something like "I was so calm. Everything seemed so small and far away. Time slowed down. It seemed like I was watching myself in a movie." That is derealization. It is quite natural when the body is undergoing severe trauma. It helps you think and maintain a certain amount of calm in crisis.
Sometimes, when you are anxious and stressed, your body starts to react as though it was in a crisis, even when, technically, it is not. As a result you experience derealization.
That's all it is. If you do an internet search on derealization, you should come up with a lot of information.
Best wishes,
Dinah
Posted by andyboy on August 12, 2002, at 12:52:00
In reply to Re: Feeling weird » Dave1, posted by Dinah on August 12, 2002, at 4:29:18
Dave
Dinah makes some very good points which will save me alot of typing!!! Anyway I often felt feelings of dp/dr- but after alot of research I came to the conclusion that it was anxiety/stress that was in fact causing it. It can be an unsettling feeling undoubtedly, but try to not let it scare you- and the feelings will loosen their grip. I had just assumed for me that the dp/dr was something all on its own- it wasnt until I began to take Klonopin for my anxiety that I noticed the symptoms went away (just as the rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness,etc.). I hope this helps!
Take Care
Andy
Posted by chiron on August 12, 2002, at 19:06:15
In reply to Re: Feeling weird, posted by andyboy on August 12, 2002, at 12:52:00
Any change in your meds? I felt "weird/zoned" on Serzone. It also use to happen at the end of my cycle, which I assume does not exactly relate to you. So my perspective is that it could be more biological.
This is the end of the thread.
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