Is this Derealization? - Anxiety Message Board

mcsnick · 03-07-2008, 07:43 PM

Is it possible to experience derealization ONLY when in a car? When I am in a car (as a passenger-- I can no longer drive because of this) I feel like my eyes and brain are not in sync. I feel hazy, like that point right before you fall asleep or faint. I feel like I can not focus and my brain is not taking in all the necessary information. I have tried Zoloft, Xanax and Inderal-- no luck. My psychologist told me to take baby steps and start driving little by little. I feel like no one understands though. I am not anxious about driving or being in a car. I don't get panicked, sweat, or get clammy hands. I feel like they don't understand like I CAN'T drive because who could drive under the circumstances I listed above? If you have any advice, I would love to hear it. I am desperate. I have not driven in 2 months now.

kelky · 03-08-2008, 12:26 AM

OMG, that is when I get it the worst! Especially at night. I feel more like I am watching TV or something.

popsandfriends · 03-24-2008, 11:52 PM

Thought I had escaped my DR past from three years ago, but last week these SAME exact symptoms came up, its awful, and I drive home every night at 1am, so I'm tired and having an anxiety attack every night. What do we do!?

mary63 · 04-01-2008, 02:14 AM

hi there.. i think those unreal feelings are worse when tired...
I get that unreal feeling sometimes if driving someone else in the car- feel like i am going to disappear!!! try to focus on something to distract which fortunately works-
also get it sometimes when i am alone with a friend or a client- think i am about to vanish!! can't really explain it but its scary- esp when you are trying to carry on normally! imagine if i said oh excuse me i am just feeling unreal right now-i might vanish!! its usually <BECAUSE> i feel they are really noticing me and i can't cope with it.
I think the driving thing can get scary because it means losing control and i am sure some of us with anxiety are TERRIFIED of losing control-
For the past few months i have had terror of losing control of my legs and suddenly not being able to walk- down the street or in malls etc- i can't begin to explain the FEAR-
the more scared you get the worse it gets. I have been taking meds but still feel weak and scared.
TO take small steps is so right but do you have someone who can be there and support you with being in the driving seat again?? maybe its too hard to do alone at the moment..Hoping that you can get through this.

anders15 · 04-01-2008, 11:58 PM

You hit mine almost pinpoint... I get it mostly whenever I'm talking alone with someone like my counselor who helps me with a ton... I just feel as if I am seeing right through him..LITERALLY.. and I feel so out of it and can't concentrate on what he's saying i don't know if I'm trying to hard to listen or what... I haven't really experienced it in a car or anything but if I have a drink or 2 at a party I can really see it start to settle in... And that's what I'm scared of because I can't even have fun anymore it's horrible... Not to say that drinking is good or anything but I mean a drink or 2 won't kill you, but I feel as if it will because I get so out of it and think I am going to die.