Some questions for the board

[Sanguine]

Hi, I'm wondering if some of you can answer some questions based on some observations I've made:

1. Can a sense of "derealization" occur just out of the blue, or is it generally a byproduct of longer term anxiety? I've noticed that I occasionally feel some physical symptoms of stress out of the blue, almost in waves that can intensify at times. It's a different feeling than an all out panic attack when it intensifies -- it almost feels like I'm slowing down or becoming slightly disoriented, whereas a panic attack tends to speed you up, make you hypervigilant. In other words, it doesn't appear to be a fight or flight type response, but no doubt is similar to it. It certainly can in rare instances lead to a panic attack much later if I'm feeling especially disoriented or out of it. I rarely have panic attacks, but this feeling is nonetheless disconcerting. Any input on this?

2. To what extent are feelings of anxiety the result of a chemical issue, i.e. low serotonin? I know everyone is different, and maybe nobody really knows. However, I seem to be able to control or rationalize it a lot of the time. What I mean is there seems to be a fine line b/w what seems to be within our control, and the physical symptoms that *appear* to occur out of nowhere. How much of this feeling of being out of control or any other basis for anxiety is necessarily chemical, and how much is simply the result of patterns of experience or memory? Probably a basic question, and I'm guessing it's a little of both, but I'd like to hear your responses.

3. Based on these questions, are there different physical forms of anxiety that do not necessarily resemble or result in panic related symptoms?


Please answer when you get a chance. Thanks!

[hry33]

HI,
1 yes

2 theories only, nothing ever proved

3 yes


theres stuff about dereealisation and depresonalisation on the net, its fairly common, I had it, sometimes out of the blue.

[Janik]

I have no answer to your first question.

Originally posted by Sanguine:
... To what extent are feelings of anxiety the result of a chemical issue... How much of this feeling of being out of control or any other basis for anxiety is necessarily chemical, and how much is simply the result of patterns of experience or memory?...

It's probably a combination of both. From experience, my panic attacks had a very obvious chemical trigger, which was an ill-advised antidepressant. But the environment around me was also a direct cause of general anxiety. As I learned to control the anxiety, I got less frequent panic attacks. I also learned to control these panic episodes before they actually hit me. I was also taking meds, but I am weaning myself off them and the anxiety is not increasing. So maybe I learned to keep my brain chemistry in check. I hope.

3. Based on these questions, are there different physical forms of anxiety that do not necessarily resemble or result in panic related symptoms?

Absolutely, some people deal with constant anxiety (GAD)without necessarily experiencing a panic attack.


[This message has been edited by Janik (edited 06-22-2003).]