I get these feelings all the time and honestly they scare the crap out of me.. I kind of just want to die when I have them. I have been on paxil for 8 long years and i am expriencing them again but my fist time ever having one was when I smoked marijuauna. So I swore I wouold never smoke it again. And I didnt. But havent done any other drugs in my life an I still get them. This is why I went on paxil in the first place honeslty scared me to death. I am currently getting off of paxil Im on 15mg for the past two weeks before that it was 20mg.. I dont know if just 5mg makes these drastic changes for me but i hate it. I am going to be trying celexa.
One of the more common causes of DP/DR is anxiety. It can also be caused by some neurological conditions, such as seizure disorder, certain drugs can induce DR/DP as well. Since you've already had a negative Neuro work-up, I think it's wise to look at the most likely cause, which could very well be anxiety, as you have a lot of anxiety-related symptoms.
You could always get a second medical opinion, but I think it also would be helpful for you to start addressing the anxiety with a professional.
I found some very thorough info on DR/DP causes, etc online....it's great to read:
"Derealization can accompany the neurological conditions of epilepsy, migraine, and mild head injury. There is a similarity between visual hypo-emotionality, a reduced emotional response to viewed objects, and derealization. This suggests a disruption of the process by which perception becomes emotionally coloured. This qualitative change in the experiencing of perception may lead to reports of anything viewed being unreal or detached.
Derealization can also be caused by vestibular disorders such as labyrinthitis and vestibular neuronitis because the brain is receiving mixed signals from the vestibular nerves due to damage or infection, and so causes the brain to function slower and create feelings of unreality.
Cannabis, hallucinogens, antidepressants, caffeine, and nicotine can all produce feelings resembling derealization, particularly when taken to excess. It can also result from alcohol withdrawal or benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Derealization can also be a symptom of severe sleep disorders, and mental disorders like depersonalization disorder, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders."
I think that I am suffering from that also but I think something else besides anxiety is causing it ya know?
If a medical cause has been ruled out, you may very well be dealing with a fairly comon symptom of anxiety called derealization...there is also depersonalization...it sounds like you could be experiencing both.
Do a search (plenty of info on this site...or google the terms)...read about it and let us know what you think. If you click on my user name and read my journals...I've done one about DR/DP and the most useful thing are the user comments that come after the journal. Quite amazing how many people with anxiety are affected by this.
DR and DP are both very distressing feelings and a lot of what you describe sounds right on the money.
I have been examined by a neurologist and my primary dr. They cant find anything physically wrong with me and its hard for me to find other drs to go to cause I have no insurance. Does anybody know how I can contact a neuroscientist? I think that might have to be my next move.. Or maybe a naturopathic dr might be able to help. Thanks for youre post and concern,
You seriously need to see a doctor for a VERY thorough medical work up. I know you have had SOME tests done, all of which have come back negative, but in my humble opinion, there are a great many more tests they should run. Your list of symptoms is quite staggering and the tests you did have would not rule out all of them. If they cannot find anything organically wrong with you and they diagnose you with anxiety, you then need to consult a psychiatrist to figure out what's going on mentally and emotionally.
I wish you the best and hope for your recovery. You've lost enough of your life already.
Peace
Greenlydia