I'm off to docs tomorrow morning concerning my year-long derealization (last trip resulted in nothing apart from a blood test), and panic attacks i've been getting a little bit recently.

Anyone feel kinda goofy trying to explain these feelings of "not being there" to a non-therapist? It's just a local practise, and as any Brit will tell you, most of these kinds of practises are pretty outdated so i'm a little worried..

My mum got mild tinnitus from a concert late last year, and was put on meds (peroxtine i think) to stop her anxiety attacks, and she's still on them.

Since derealization is such a strange notion to grasp for some people, i don't fancy much explaining it to some 50-something doctor who'll tell me to "buck up" and get excerise or something.

I'm pretty much set on going on meds for a bit (hopefully to cheer me up a bit), but I'm sure i'll need something more, and can't expect my folks to send me to a therapist, money's not great at the moment.

Sorry for the rambling, i'm just a little apprehensive.

[This message has been edited by doogy (edited 04-30-2003).]

Hi Doogy-

I don't feel particularly qualified to respond to you, being sort of new to the therapy game myself. But I can relate to feeling "not there." As a matter of fact, I had no idea that that had a name! "Derealization," thy name is mine!

Don't feel nervous about seeing your Doc, though I guess you've already done so (seen your Doc, that is) by now. These guys are trained in this stuff. It won't sound "out there" to him, even though he may never have experienced it personally.

Just to reassure you...I have. I remember being 14 years old and taking my first trip on an airplane (and alone, to boot) and looking at the coastline developing before my watchful eyes and thinking, "Oh my God, I'm awake!" And then the feeling was gone and I'm not sure I've ever had it back. (And that's 20 freaking years ago, too). But the thing that amazed me about that experience was that I hadn't realized until that very moment that that was what was wrong! That I didn't feel fully awake & alive! That I didn't feel fully engaged by life simply by the fact of being alive.

As far as exercise is concerned...it CAN have a fabulous effect on one's outlook, provided one has ready access to forms of exercise that provide enjoyment & diversion.

I know you posted almost 2 days ago & I hope I'm not too late to provide you with some useful empathy/potential encouragement.

Take good care,

-Jean