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Friday, January 22, 2010 bittersweet84 asks

Q: Is this "Derealization" i'm experiencing? (Little long,but pls read!)

I have sruggled with borderline personality disorder and extreme anxiety since a

very early age. I was on medication for many years until about 5 years ago when I

 decided to stop the meds and continue with psychotherapy. I had been

"successful"( married,beautiful baby,good job)but life still seemed somewhat

harde and more painful than it should,including the fact that besides having to

deal with the bpd and panic attacks,my husband is an emotional abuser. A few

days ago,I was in Kmart,an all of a sudden got the oddest sensation that nothing

was real.NOTHING.The articles weren't real, the noises weren't really there,the

people weren't real,my daughter was fake! It was completely debilitating.I

couldn't shake it off,it got progressively worse.To the point that I "convinced"

myself that other people weren't real,that they were zombie,lifeless,they would

respond to me but there wasn't any life inside.A COMPLETELY CRIPPLING

THOUGHT.I began to feel the same way about objects, not being able to trust if

that tree was really there,even when I reached up to touch it,i wasn't

convinced.This was all accompanied by horrible panic attacks.That night I thought I

was going insane.I cried myself to sleep.Although i am better than that day,(3

days ago)it still feels like there's a veil that I can't quite lift no matter how hard i

try.Although i'm no longer hysterical,i don't feel like myself at all.The best way i

can describe it is that i was dreaming and im sloooowly waking up.  Or like when

your hand goes numb and you slowly start feeling it again.Please help.What can I

do to feel better? Is there anything wrong with me?

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Answers (2)
Eileen Bailey, Health Guide
1/23/10 9:17pm

Thank you for your question and welcome to AnxietyConnection.com.

 

I am not a medical professional and would not be able to give you medical advice.

 

I would suggest you contact your doctor and discuss what you are feeling.

 

You certainly sound as if you have a great deal of stress in your life. Living with an emotionally abusive spouse can put you on edge everyday, make you feel as if you are walking on eggshells, not knowing what type of mood he will be in and always worrying about the next outburst. This can only increase your anxiety and your panic attacks.

 

Since you currently receive psychotherapy, you may want to talk with your therapist about this experience. Depersonalization or derealization can be a frightening experience and your therapist would be better able to discuss how to handle this in the future.

 

For more information:


Acute Stress Disorder

 

Anxiety, "Interpreaction," and "Interpreversal": A Mind Game You Can Win

 

Eileen

 

 

 

Reply
4/21/10 7:34am

No- there is nothing wrong with you- you're just having a panic attack... i be feeling that way too- like nothing is real and im in a world full of strangers... dont worry. You're not the  only one that has went thru this... i felt so alone- like no one was there for me ever since i was a baby. I was abused mentally, physically, and emotionally by my adopted parents for 7 yrs. I felt like no one cared about me except my lil brother. I have a paranoa problem- i be scared of loud noises and when ppl sneak up on me. Im also scared of the strangest things.. Just know you're not alone.

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By bittersweet84— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 01/22/10