Stress Center Peer Support

I have been working the program - for a few months. Not as deligently as I should, when I feel the worst, I resort to it. Then when I somewhat feel good, I think I have it under control, I stop. I check in with this group all the time - but rarely post - until I feel that I am at my wits end.

My biggest symptoms are the DP/DR ones - they are so extremely hard to just let go of. The more I let go, the stranger I feel, so I resort back to checking in on myself and how I feel. I look in the mirror, make sure I am real, tell myself that I am and it works for a while. Then the feelings sneek back in.

I was wondering if anyone else has had times when their day feels like weeks long - their week feels like things happened in a month - etc, etc.

Also, when I do go out, which is every day to take kids to school, activities, etc. everything always looks new to me. Like, OH that's the end of my street - that's where the school is, etc. Does anyone experience this?

My family and friends don't notice anything different with me, rest assured I am always checking in with them - but I can't stop this DP/DR feelings and am always wondering when I will know that I am better.

Comments??

Sue,

We all have our ways of working through the program - - I started listening to the cd's and not doing the workbook. Then went back and listened again, etc. The one thing I will say is that even if you feel a little relief, please know that this is an ongoing battle and it will not go away over night. You must be diligent at working through it.

I think we all feel like we've had those moments when we feel like we are in a time warp.

Also, when things look new to you, maybe it's your way of trying to notice your surroundings to make sure you are grounded. Sometimes I look at different objects just to "notice them." I think that comes from the phrase "don't let life pass you by, stop and smell the roses."

Did you ever have the feeling that you just drove somewhere and you don't even know how you got there, because you weren't paying attention? Sometimes I think we try to overcompensate for feeling like we are missing out on life because of our depression that we go to the extreme to notice everything.

As far as knowing when you are better, it's really not going to happen overnight. Take pride and acknowledge when you do feel better, but don't think your work is done. You will need all the skills learned in the sessions to help you through.

Hi,
I think you are experiencing symptoms of unreality, which is soooooo common for anyone who has anxiety/panic attacks!!!

Please try not to give these scary thoughts any weight!!! You do know that it is the end the street, the school...etc..

When you get your anxiety level down, then, these feelings of unreality will subside!!!

Try your best to float through these feelings and not to run from them, since, fear feeds on fear!!!

You are going to be just fine!!! I did this one soooooo many times during all of the years that I suffered from those panic attacks!!!

Learn to trust your body and mind, no matter how you may feel

Rest assured...You are not going crazy, I can promise you that one!!!

You are very sane and this is sooooooo normal

Have a beautiful day!!! God Bless You on Your Journey to Recovery!!!