Q: i feel like i'm in a dream, and that i have no emotion whatsoever. i feel like im just existing rather than living. im scared that this could be schizophrenia or something. Could it be depression?
Hi -
As Judy says, you would need to consult a psychiatrist for a full diagnosis. I've lived with major depression for decades, and I frequently had this problem of being out of touch with everything around me. Even in work situations that demanded my fast reactions, I might be seeing and listening to what was happening but let it all go by without doing anything. I felt I was observing it from a distance. Not feeling anything is a common symptom of depression and affected me for long periods as well.
Schizophrenia is a psychotic condition in which you have real delusions and thinking patterns that no one else around you seems to understand. I wouldn't jump to the idea of any psychotic condition based on what you're describing, but if you're scared of what you're going through, it's all the more important to see a psychiatrist to get some basic advice.
John
Hi, JP. I do think what you're describing could be depression, but you won't know for sure until you see a doctor or a psychologist. Numbness, lack of energy.....those are typical of depression. We aren't medical professionals here, so wouldn't be in a position to guess whether or not it's schizophrenia, but I wouldn't worry too much about it. Please see a doctor, okay? Hope you're soon feeling better.
From my own experience -- if this were happening to me, the first culprit I would look for is stress. Stress makes me feel like I'm in suspended animation and it becomes very difficult to interact with what's going on around me. It is probably my brain's way of protecting me. As in, withdraw and cover yourself. My suggestion would be to list the stress factors in your life then see which ones can be put on the back burner or eliminated entirely. Believe me, it will be worth the effort. I know some things seem (and perhaps are) unavoidable, but you would be surprised at the amount of control you really have. The best thing would be to get with a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist and see how your thoughts and feelings are contributing to the problems, in order to realistically tackle them. Not a cure-all, but as I said, from my own experience I've found that these are at least good first steps toward feeling more connected.
I don't know how new you are to RA but last year I was having major out of touch with reality problems I did some research and Realized that there is a true connection between depression and RA. I went straight to my doctor and he put me on some medication for the depression. I wasn't better imediatley but after a few weeks I could tell a difference.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
