i feel like my perception of the world has been altered forever, this terrifying sense of alienation from everything has such a firm grip, lately i can, sometimes forget when i'm distracted, i just need it to go away, i feel like i don't remember what it felt like to be me, if this is recovery from an anxiety panic state, i'd say it's just as alarming. is there a general time frame for this sort of thing ?

has anything recently changed in your life, have you started a new med?

look up depersonalisation and derealisation on the net also, these are often caused by anxiety or stress

tell us more

Please don't get discouraged, it DOES get better. I asked my doc again about the unreality thing and he explained it a different way, a way I have heard on the boards here. When you focus on yourself so much worrying about every little thing, that's all you can focus on. When you try to turn your attention to something else, it's uncomfortable because for once you are thinking "******ds" instead of "inwards." Does that make any sense? I don't know that anyone here can provide you with a time frame as everyone is different. Also, when you start to get better, you will have setbacks but that's ok because that's part of the "getting better" process. I do know that one year ago I was in the psych ward of a hospital and just wanted to die. I didn't care about anyone or anything. It took some time but I am better. You will be yourself again. Do you see anyone for counseling? I go to a therapist and she has helped tremendously. The feeling that you have is a normal part of anxiety. Try to distract yourself as much as possible. Do you like crossword puzzles? I found that to be a great distractor. Anyway, I'm rambling but hang in there!

This feeling of allienation is most common in anxiety dissorders....i m having this feeling also ...though it;'s not all the time...i used to have it for just seconds or minutes...but lately i had a derealisation attack that lasted about an hour or so..
I was too scared....i thought i was about to lose control of myself ...i couldnt focus my thinking etc etc...
I asked my pdoc about this and she said it's all normal in this dissorder...it cant get worse like i m gonna lose control or do mad things or end up mad or vegetable.It's my fear that worsen these feeling.
So try to chill out...and say it;s in the process it will go away...
i know...
it sounds SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO difficult...i ve been through it and i know...but at least try...you cant lose anything...just gain...

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That which does not kill us makes us stronger.

thanks. i guess i know i'm getting better, it's just so strange, i've never felt this way before, my mind is so tired and feels so feeble and week, like there is some madness that wants to overcome me, i can forget about it sometimes, i just wish there was a way to forget about it all the time forever

Hello Werner,

I understand what your going through.
There is a post on the stress and anxiety healthboard.
You should check it out.

Its under.....
Does anyone else experience this?

Good luck and keep strong.

Lady

thanks
i wonder, since this feeling was brought on by months of constant anxiety, do you think it will go away with the stress and anxiety?
is it at all likely that it won't go away?

Werner:

Everyone gets better in their own timeframe. For some people it may be months. To others - years.

Acceptance is key here. It doesn't help to be distraught over what you have lost. It serves no purpose.

Just concentrate on recovering and getting better. And you know what? In the end (when you have recovered from this illness) you will probably be a better person because of it. You will probably be much more empathetic and understanding towards others with anxiety/psychological disorders, and most importantly, you will realize the strength you have within yourself.

It would probably help to treat this like any other physical illness that you would have. Accept it, be patient, learn about it, and do those things that you have to do in order to get better. And you will get better.

As far as the "derealization feelings" go - they are quite normal for panic attackers. Again, as I explained, they come from too much focusing on yourself and your physical symptoms. Just keep yourself busy. Go to any panic disorder support meetings offered in your area, and just keep working on getting better and facing those things you are afraid of.

thank you, i feel myself coming out of it but it seems like stretches of feeling normal make the fear even stronger when it comes. i'm going to see a phyciatrist next week, i hope he has helpful things to say as well, thanks again for responding.

Werner: I know you are new to the Board.

Just a suggestion - read my threads - particular the one on "distracting techniques" (page 3).

I suffered horribly with panic disorder for about a year and am completely recovered from them. (I haven't had one in about 10 years.)

I have been through the throes of this horrendous illness and am aware of the best methods of getting better.