depersonalization/derealization - Anxiety Message Board

bucks85 · 11-09-2006, 09:33 PM

Hi i'm currenly suffering from anxiety/panic/ocd to the point where i've completely withdrawln from everything. I was doing better (about 2 weeks)until i went to take a mri and had a panic attack within 2 minutes. So now that brought it all back to where it was before i started getting better. I recently (about 4 days ago) started taking .5 mg xanax once a day when i start experiencing depersonalization/derealization with vertigo (xanax helps). The vertigo is pretty much all day everyday and is a rocking type vertigo. Is this common in these disorders? Its by far the freakiest thing ever and was curious if anyone experiences it and has some tips to bring you back to reality as soon as possible.

bucks85 · 11-10-2006, 03:43 PM

bump bump

daftthing · 11-11-2006, 08:21 AM

I get derealization ALOT and sometimes depersonalization. I've read somewhere online that it's a very common symptom of anxiety ..... if you google depersonalization is should be the first link it comes up with.

Take Care, and you are NOT alone.

Karen.

boxerlover227 · 11-12-2006, 06:39 PM

Hi Buck85

I just wanted to share this with you..
Perhaps it will be helpful to you as well as others who may read this post!
Depersonalization is a SYMPTOM of an anxiety disorder. Depersonalization can not exist without anxiety, but anxiety can exist without depersonalization.
Depersonalization is caused by a shift in the part of the brain that provides us with a 'real' awareness of our environment, which are caused by changes which occur in the way nerve signals are processed by the brain during anxiety disorders.
I DID tons of research on this myself, in fear of thinking I was going crazy!!
Depersonalization can include feelings of, unreal unattached, spaciness like a dream state, spaced~out, feeling like your head is in a fog, withdrawn, and dreamlike state.. Derealization is completely harmless but can be very disturbing. I know I myself often have depersonalization/derealization feelings. It's just all part of this wonderful disorder!!! Any thoughts or questions just let me know.. boxerlover

bucks85 · 11-12-2006, 10:35 PM

First off i just wanted to thank you for the response boxer. I'm going through the same exact thing you are. Every single symptom you have is what i have and it gives my mind ease knowing that I'm not the only one with all of this. I think constant vertigo is the thing thats driving me nuts... because when i start getting really bad vertigo at times, thats when the dp/dr seems to kick in. The feelings are so horrible and people that are around you have absolutely no clue what its like. Its almost like they think its just these little dizzy spells or something. Theres nothing like sitting completely still in a chair and feeling like you're in a car. But anyways i do have a couple questions for you.

1. Have you had agoraphobia?

2. Have you seen any psychiatrists or therapists?