why do i feel like i'm in a dream all the time?

[titansfreak2009]

This is my first post, and im nervous.  I'll try to explain what's going on as best as I can so that I can get a clear answers.

I am 20 years old, and i've been having panic attacks now since i was 16.  I worry alot about things, and sometimes i feel like im completly oblivious to whats around me, whenever im doing nothing i feel completly detached from my souroundings. Last night i was with some friends and i was just sitting there talking like nothing was wrong, then all of a sudden it felt like i was completly detached and the people around me were unfimiliar. Could someone please shed some light on what i feel is a completly hopless situation.

[mommameghan]

Although I understand that you suffer from anxiety, have you ever looked into spiritual awakenings? Terence Mckenna may help you think differently but in a way you may not think.

As far as I can remember I have suffered with anxious thoughts, feelings, actions etc. and I went through a 'phase' when I was around 16-17 years old where panic attacks where a consistent problem within my life, I tried counselling and for some short time meds, but my stubborn attitude to pharmaceutical drugs, made me rebel away from this. I began smoking cannabis and my brain felt as if it was corrupting with rushing thoughts. So i begun my journey of 'self-discovery'.. the things I know today can’t be taught yet only realized. I believe you are stuck within an environment where you can no longer familiarise with due to your 'wandering mind'.. TERENCE MCKENNA will help you understand the undiscovered side of this. Good luck with everything. Seek into the new domains of possibility.

[Ashbug1234]

how are you feeling now?

[TiaraKendraClark]

i have been feeling like i'm in a dream for over a year now, i'm really scared, i've talked to my doctor she didn't seem to care. How long does it usually take to go away? Oh i'm 16 by the way.

[bud0kaus]

Like many others I too have felt like this and you are not alone. it is scary and there are many others that have this happen a lot.I have dealt with anxiety by may self for almost six years and found this site by accident whle looking up issues with a racing heart rate I have found a lot of useful info so far and the best part is knowing that I am not alone. take heart you will be fine if you are not already seeing a doctor you should you can get meds that will help also talking to people that understand will also help. don't let yourself fall into the trap that you think you are alone you are not.  I have found that people on this site are helpful open up to them and be ready for people to respond. it can help

[nursegirl6572]

Welcome to the forum.  What you describe could be a fairly common effect of anxiety, called "derealization".  DR is when we feel as though the world around us isnt real...like we're detatched, or watching our lives through a movie screen.  Everything around us looks weird and unfamiliar.  At first, many people even think that something is wrong with their eyesight (been there, done that).  Another similar symptom is "depersonalization".  It's similar to DR, only that the "odd" and detatched feelings we have are directed more towards how we feel about ourselves, our existence, etc...whereas AR deals more with our environment (people, things around us).

Both are very uncomfortable feelings and both happen in people who suffer with severe and/or chronic anxiety/panic.  The good news is...while these feelings are AWFUL and make us feel like we've totally lost it...they are harmless and WILL eventually go away as your anxiety improves.

You can google these terms for more info, or search our site...there is a wealth of info here about these not too commonly well known anxiety symptoms.  If you click on my user name and browse thru my journals...you'll see one related to this.  Take the time to read the user comments...I think someone who is dealing with this for the first time and isn't sure what's going on can gain HUGE insight from reading others' experiences.  The comments on that journal are amazing...many people got info and relief discovering what might be plaguing them...not to mention they got support and learned they were not alone.

Please let us know what you think after looking into this...what you describe sounds like textbook DR to me...I've lived through it and you explain it just as I would.  Hang in there!

[cj29]

Anxiety and panic can be very confusing and scary in my experience with me.  It can definitely detatch us from reality, in my opinion.  Not only does it drain us physically, it also can mentally drain us as well, which can make it hard to focus and frankly, we just don't feel like ourselves.  Throughout your experiences with this, have you ever tried to confront your anxiety through counseling?   I know, for me, it helped me tremendously by helping me to understand the panic and deal with it.  It can seem hopeless at times, but that happens to us when we don't completely understand what is going on in my opinion.  But with knowledge comes the power to deal with this and get through it...keep us posted!