Depersonalisation/Derealisation anyone?

[PootlePlum]

Just wondering if anyone else has dpd/drd? This is the main symptom in my anxiety and it is a totally vicious circle of one causing the other.
Im getting a lot of support proffessionally, but would love to hear people's personal experiences with this.
Either from people who suffer with this and also anyone who has managed to overcome it.

[cav88]

Well all this started for me only about two months, so I am new to this overwhelming sensation.  I started having panic attacks out of the clear blue, and I had no idea what was wrong with me.  I had these strange thoughts and feelings that I was living in a dream.  It was all so weird, but I still do feel that I am looking in at what everyone else around me is doing.  A piece of advice that I learned is that you shouldn't fight the feeling because it will only get worse.  You have to try to accept it and then move on from there.  I started see a therapist last week and it seems that its a good choice I made.  I live a great life, but before I found out what I had I was scared to even leave my house.  How severe is your anxiety? Do you get depersonalization to the point that it scares you or can you handle it?  I know that depersonalization is a characteristic that comes along with anxiety.  

[PootlePlum]

Thanks for your comment. I totally agree with you that it is an opportunity to learn so much about ourselves. Ive learnt a lot already, particularly through the support ive been getting, cos it gives me an opportunity to explore myself and my emotions in a safe situation. My sw is incredibly supportive (she's been working with me for about 3 weeks now). She's so understanding and and doesnt try to pretend like it will be easy to conquer...she's totally straight with me reminding me that there will be days that are so hard i feel like giving up, but then a good day will come along to make me realise that its worth the fight.
Do you still suffer with this or have you managed to 'conquer' it?
My psychologist has told me that he cant promise a cure for me, but that he can help me to feel comfortable with these sensations and get to a point where they dont impact too badly on my day to day life, as they do at the moment.

[PootlePlum]

Its exactly like a dream, you're right. Its like being an outside observer rather than part of life. It's great that you are managing to live a normal life with this...I certainly am not. I barely make it past the end of my road without my support worker. Ive been through loads of different 'treatments' over the past 9 months (when it became problematic in sept). Ive had counselling, the home intervention team (alternative to hospital admission), i attend a day hospital twice a week (it was 3 times til recently), and i now have a support worker who is helping me to get out a bit more. I am also starting CAT (cognitive analytical therapy) on Friday-there will be elements of CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) and psychotherapy in it too .
Ive never heard of Buspar, Im on citalopram 40mg (i was on 60mg) and also take serc (betahistine) 8mg thrice a day for my dizziness and sickness which are not always caused by the anxiety.
Can i ask if you've ever felt like this before and how long youve been feeling this way now?
Take Care

[cav88]

I know how you are feeling.. I get the same thing that goes along with my anxiety.  I never had anxiety before in my life, and I am only 19, but lately I have been feeling that I was in a dream.  I can never seem to put my life together because every daily event that was happening seemed that it was only me looking on what other people were doing.  It is a very wierd feeling, but I am learning to deal with it.  I still lead a normal life, which is a great thing.  My doctor put me on anti-anxiety medication called Buspar and its supposed to help with those symptoms of anxiety.  Let me know if you felt the same way.

[cj29]

These definitely come hand in hand in dealing with anxiety.  When I first had a panic attack three years ago it sent me in a downward spiral where I did not even realize who I was, but in retrospect, even though I did not see it while I was going through it, the experience has made me a much more well rounded person.  I believe you are doing the right thing; by talking it through with a mental healthcare professional, you learn more about the cycle and how to use it to your advantage.  You have also come to the right place.  So many people here can really relate to what you are going through and care how things turn out.  Please keep us posted!