Posted by MissAmy on July 31, 2003, at 15:26:04
In reply to Re: please define derealization, posted by DissTired on July 31, 2003, at 14:26:19
interesting you guys...i was just talking to my mom about this the other day. She is a counselor and was talking about different personality types (the Meyers-Briggs test that tells you what personality type you are). I was telling her that ever since I was little I have felt like I was being filmed--or like I was watching everything that I do/did like it was through a lens instead of taking an active part in my decision making. She told me that most people of my personality type (ENFP) experience this and that it is perfectly normal. I had explained that when I was in high school nothing seemed REAL...it was all just this hazy mess (and this is BEFORE I started smoking pot!! haha!) I remember telling my therapist the same thing--i used to complain about it weekly--and she said, "Have you ever thought that even though it does NOT seem real, it IS? And that this IS your reality so deal with it--accept it?" This might sound kind of harsh, but it really spoke to me. I have a panic disorder that is triggered by sounds, smells, lighting--I get over stimulated very easily and have to remind myself I am not in danger even though it feels like my head is going to explode. I did CBT for a few months and it helped GREATLY. After a few years passed the doctor's decided my panic was triggered by depression brought on by emotional trauma at a young age. Even though the panic was at bay I was still feeling really blah, so I went on Serzone. I have been on it a 2 1/2 years and i am now weaning off. i have found that I no longer experience the same detachment from things (at least not as often). When I do and I get scared I force myself to pay VERY close attention to what's going on instead of hiding from the lights, sound, smells. It seems to help. i am going off the meds because after awhile it seemed to make my "feelings of unreality" worsen. Any time I SHOULD feel uncomfortable, the meds kind of helped me float away to a "happy place" where i could detach further, and I decided that was not right for me anymore. i am 30 years old and there are a couple things I would still like to deal with--i figure if nasty symptoms come back, the drugs are always there if need be. Anyway...interesting post--I have enjoyed reading it. i also posted a message about my serzone withdrawa symptoms a couple of days ago if anyone has any suggestions. Thank you and God Bless!!!
poster:MissAmy
thread:245623
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/247092.html