Detached Feeling

Hello everyone,

Has anyone else ever experienced this annoying detached feeling that is supposedly a symptom of anxiety? At least, my therapist told me it is. It's not the emotional detachment...just a general feeling of being in a dream-like state, sort of. Unless you have experienced it, it's hard to explain. But I've had this, on and off, for over three months now. It tends to get worse when I'm worrying about something (like my upcoming SAT test I have to take next month). Around 9 PM, the feeling goes away almost 80%, usually. It never fully goes away, though. Does anyone else go through this, or am I the only one?
-Jim

[cdaniels]

I had it (and I'm assuming we had the same experience) when I was involved with a girl a few months back. Things weren't working out so well and I vividly remember going to class and starting into space with this dream world around me. I would sit and it was like nothing was going on. Just blank and cold. No one was there except me. It lasted a whole month and it didn't get better until I avoided the situation all together.

Any unnecessary stress going on?

[Angie162]

Yeah, I have also experineced that detached feeling that you describe.  Is this a symptom of anxiety?  I know exactly what you are talking about...almost like the world is passing you by while you are "stuck" in that very moment.  It is a weird feeling.

[AdamTuminaro]

I have indefinitely had the exact feeling. Mine started from a bad LSD experience, but i was eventually prescribed Ativan for anxiety. Which works rather well.  I think it's safe to say that the root of the "detatched" feeling IS anxiety. That's what you should be treating.

[bowla004]

yes i have experienced this as well it has to be symptom of anxiety.

[andyrwebman]

I've been through this, and I agree with the anxiety comment. Chances are you'll watch something funny on TV, laugh for a moment and then suddenly "remember" you have no emotions.

It's as if you want to have that tingle down your spine, but can't - because the very desire to have it makes you anxious and prevents the bodily relaxation that allows it to happen.

I've also had something similar on occasions with wanting to yawn but being unable to - I could feel it starting, but couldn't relax enough. The key for that - and it might help the depression - was to close my eyes when the yam started and pick up an everyday object, concentrating on how it felt.

Everything is still there in your head, it's just being smothered by the ultra tension.