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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Do I have Depersonalization disorder?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Do I have Depersonalization disorder?
by MichaelWaterhouse, Oct 04, 2002 12:00AM
The past 3 months I have felt feelings of unreality and I am wondering whether this is due to depression, drug abuse or a personality disorder. I recently graduated from college and moved to another country. Because of certain stresses, I became depressed and lost 10lbs in a month. While working one day, I felt a sudden sensation of panic brought on by "what if" thoughts. Ever since this day, I have felt as if I am walking around in a constant haze, as if I had not slept for a long time. It has been extremely scary and I am worried that it may be "depersonalization disorder" I recognize my self in the mirror and do not see the world in 2-dimension, but still have a sense of unreality nonetheless. I also stopped using marijuanna about 5 months ago after 6 yrs of constant use and have also tried E. Clonazepam is helping a little. Is this feeling of unreality due to Depression, Anxiety or Depersonalization Disorder and will it go away? Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Oct 07, 2002 12:00AM
, Oct 07, 2002 12:00AM
It sounds very much like mixed anxiety and depression related to the move, the stress, and being away from familiar life patterns and clture. YOu, in a way, seem to be stuck between REALLY being where you are and missing or wishing you were somewhere else. The solution to your symptoms is making a decision to either be there fully while you are there, or move.
You can use the www. masteringstress.com program to help you come to grips and think through this decision and the other stresses that have been happening.
You can use the www. masteringstress.com program to help you come to grips and think through this decision and the other stresses that have been happening.
I experienced the same sensations as what u are talking about. I was alone for three years living by myself.. and went quite crazy, as if living in a daze, and not sleeping at all. Its not a nice feeling. I think depression and anxiety over long periods brings on this type of head space, at least, that was my experience. Good luck to you. I am on paxil now and doing fine. take care,
Peggy
I also wanted to say... I have had disassociation on and off for a long time now... coupled with anxiety and depression. I am sure mine comes from childhood abuse and trauma, and trying to "escape" from it in my mind. I believe it is a completely unconscious reflex that happens. Anyway, it is worth examining that for yourself. Goodluck,
Peggy
You will need to see a therapist for cognitive therapy. If he/she suggest medication, try Prozac. Avoid Paxil and tranquilizers. There are medications out there that can make you feel worse.. one being the highly addictive Xanax.
If you are unsure and need advice on the medication your doctor prescribes for you, please feel free to post to me and I will explain what the medication can do for you.
You're not alone in this. I know it feels like it right now, but there is help out there for everyone. Years ago, these disorders were so taboo, but they have become so common that people are finally taking them seriously. Don't be afraid to reach out for help.
There are free psychiatrists out there. Call up your county's mental health dept for a listing. If you were unsuccessful, post to me your county and state and I will post you a listing.
Best,
Anai Rhoads
Michael,
You are probably experiencing the normal culture shock and stress of moving to another country. Watch out for the Klonopin you mentioned. It a is highly addictive Benzo such as Valium, Xanax, Libruim and Ativan. If you miss dosages or try to withdraw cold turkey, you will be in outer space called Delirium Tremens, a life threatening situation, and possible seizures also life threatening.
It took me nearly a year to ajust to moving around the world, even the atmospheric pressure can effect you, example is, it is normally much lower in the Western Pacific and many people coming here to the deep tropics are dizzy and disoriented for months until their bodies ajust to it.
It is good to hear you quit the Marijuana. Try not to take any benzo unless you really need it for severe anxiety disorder.
I have been on Klonopin for about four years 8 mg's a day and after being cut off one time I almost died from DT'S and seizures. It was one of the worst months of my life. The doc finally put me back on it since I was not snapping out of the DT'S even after three weeks and 20 pounds lighter. I was prescribed it for seizures and a severe anxiety disorder.
Chatahan
in these situations we indeed feel hopeless and helpless. That is what panic is about really. I have been suffering from panic attacks since 1997 and boy! I tell you when the first one hit me: right in the middle of a nice French summer vacation day, it came as a complete surprise. Later, of course, I knew that non of it was a surprise, but an effect of all that has been going on in my life. Like you I moved to another country, in fact I've lived in four different countries throughout my life (and it ain't over yet!), and had to leave everything behind. I have been in a four-year relationship that had the word "stress" as a defining factor. All of this stuff and much more must have played a role for the depression, anxiety, stress, breathing problems. Today, however, I know better. I can say that I am no longer afraid, you know why? Because every single time I thought I was dying or going crazy, I came out alive and well. Only...the suffering is something that lingers on and makes life difficult to enjoy. Imagine, while doing something you really want to do, you get panicky and cannot do it any longer! This is demotivating and frustrating in the long run. It also prolongs if not strengthens depression. But you have got to realize that at the end of the day it is a closed circle, one which you must get out of. When you feel low/anxious don't try to pep talk yourself out. Go with the feeling. Try to get yourself to admit and realize to yourself that you may not, indeed, be at your best and feeling great. Believe me, once you consciously realize you are suffering and your suffering is only temporary, since it is your body desperately defending itself against stress, your panic will almost immediately subside. All you gotta do is accept your suffering for what it is, a natural reaction to stress factors. It will go away, once you stop fearing it.
Good luck.
Take the magnifying glass away from yourself. This thing of what you see in the mirror and how you perceive the outside world, is all a part of the chemical recations happening inside your brain, which are exaggerated due to the brain's hyperactivity. Just think, when you're scared because you think danger is staring at you, you become beside yourself. YOu breath changes, your bodily odor changes, your heart starts racing, you can't think clearly an so on. In other words you are no longer yourself....well...anxiety and depression are your body's reaction to their danger, except they pose an unrealistic danger. Sooo it's only natural that you will perceive yourself in a weird way. I had times I stood in front of the mirror and stared at a stranger. At other times I thought I walked in a glass bubble and stared at the world from behind this glass; the greater the imagination, the greater the observation!!! Keep the magnifying glass away from yourself. You don't need to scare yourself even more than you already are.
Thanks,
Heather
I don't know if you'll ever read this, but I have that too! It seems very frightening. I myself, used to take a lot of heavy recreational drugs, but now I am off. Anyways, I think it might be from having too much time on your hands..kind of your way of distracting yourself from something that's really bothering you. Also, might be from having a chronic high level of anxeity day in and out..so keep looking for help. I'm sure if you keep searching..you'll eventually find what your'e looking for. These are just my opinions. Good Luck LAURA