Derealization and MD?

[Catherine]

Does anyone suffer from derealization because of their MD?

My mind usually trails off a lot by just the most random thought and it does this automatically and I do have a fantasy world and character but only some media triggers them so I haven't dreamt about them in awhile , well anyways, the derealization is pretty bad for me but I always feel crazy when derealization comes into play and sometimes it comes and goes ( I get a 'is life really real  feeling 'and doubt myself that it is ). I told my doctor about it and he said it was anxiety but he doesn't know about MD and I tend to tell him about it tomorrow..I'm so nervous ) . Does anyone else have this problem and how do you deal with this symptom  It really scares me and makes me feel like I'm going insane. 

Please respond if you know..this is really distressing to me and very scary. 

Catherine

[Catherine]

I also forgot to add that my head always feels fuzzy most of the time because of the day dreaming but I day dream automatically because of my thoughts and can't seem to stop doing it on my own and when I try my  brain automatically makes me tired and shut down and then I start to day dream and stay in bed. At first I thought I was really sleepng but then later on I figured I wasn't really sleeping. I'm sounding crazy already :/

[greyartist]

Had to look it up,

"Derealization (sometimes abbreviated as DR) is an alteration in the perception or experience of the external world so that it seems unreal. Other symptoms include feeling as though one's environment is lacking in spontaneity, emotional coloring and depth"

I don't think I have had that. 

[Catherine]

Oh okay. Also I did watch your video on Reality and MD and it really freaked me out. :c I also have bad hypochondria so yeah :c

greyartist said:

Had to look it up,

"Derealization (sometimes abbreviated as DR) is an alteration in the perception or experience of the external world so that it seems unreal. Other symptoms include feeling as though one's environment is lacking in spontaneity, emotional coloring and depth"

I don't think I have had that. 

[taffle]

What you're doing is similar to what actors and actresses are doing. Before they shoot a movie, they try to ease into their role by dieting, gaining weight, weight lifting, doing mental preparations, spending time in solitude, etc etc. For example, an actor who will be playing a barber will go to a barber shop and learn to cut hair. So they go through a process of becoming another person. Imagine if they were shooting fantasy movies like Lord of the Rings. To make the acting convincing, they have to "derealize" so that they think the fantasy is real and block out the reality.

Once the filming is over, the actors/actresses need time to transition to reality. They probably have techniques for this.

[Robin]

Yeah, I used to get derealization a lot. I get it a little less now, but I felt it almost all of the time when I started trying to cut down on my daydreaming 6 months ago. Before then, oddly, I didn't really notice it. I used to daydream almost constantly, so maybe it was always there but i didn't pay attention to it. It's probably good that you're going to tell your doctor, because I know depersonalization can be a really scary, terrible experience. Try not to freak out too much about it, though. Try to remember that derealization is a product of your own mind, and the more you notice it, the more you "feed" it and the worse it gets. Maybe if daydreaming brings it on for you, you should try to daydream a little less? Spend more time in the present to assure yourself that you do in fact exist? I I know it's hard, but I don't know what other advice to give :/ . Good luck!

[Catherine]

Thanks so much guys and thanks Robin. My doctor actually believes I have MDD and I gave him a lot of articles when I saw him. He's giving me a medicine to help with Derealization and abilify (sp?) to help my concentration with the regular day dreaming I do ( I tend to zone out and think of certain thoughts when watching tv or conversations with other people ect. (like if someone says a word or something I think of something or I just branch off and think of an event that reminds me of something else. Also sometimes my brain brings back bad memories. I try to stop doing that but I can't seem to control that like , only my 'fantasy world' day dreaming ) Also I hope I can make my life exciting. I really hope so..

Robin said:

Yeah, I used to get derealization a lot. I get it a little less now, but I felt it almost all of the time when I started trying to cut down on my daydreaming 6 months ago. Before then, oddly, I didn't really notice it. I used to daydream almost constantly, so maybe it was always there but i didn't pay attention to it. It's probably good that you're going to tell your doctor, because I know depersonalization can be a really scary, terrible experience. Try not to freak out too much about it, though. Try to remember that derealization is a product of your own mind, and the more you notice it, the more you "feed" it and the worse it gets. Maybe if daydreaming brings it on for you, you should try to daydream a little less? Spend more time in the present to assure yourself that you do in fact exist? I I know it's hard, but I don't know what other advice to give :/ . Good luck!

[Catherine]

Ah that's really interesting! : o I have always wanted to do acting actually but not sure if that'd be good for me mentally haha xD;

taffle said:

What you're doing is similar to what actors and actresses are doing. Before they shoot a movie, they try to ease into their role by dieting, gaining weight, weight lifting, doing mental preparations, spending time in solitude, etc etc. For example, an actor who will be playing a barber will go to a barber shop and learn to cut hair. So they go through a process of becoming another person. Imagine if they were shooting fantasy movies like Lord of the Rings. To make the acting convincing, they have to "derealize" so that they think the fantasy is real and block out the reality.

Once the filming is over, the actors/actresses need time to transition to reality. They probably have techniques for this.