Stress Center Peer Support

Ok, so I am almost at the end. I am moving to FL on Saturday. I just can't get through these foggy head and unreal sensations. I have only used 2 Xanax when I am really bad. I feel like I am in outer space and all I can think about is that I have something wrong with me. Is this all normal?? I feel like I am in a dream--or in this case, a nightmare. I am so scared by these feelings!! Am I ok????

labourg, you are going to be just fine...I promise you that one!!! This unreality feeling is soooo normal!!!

Here is an article from the panic away book on "Unreality Feelings".....I pray this helps you tremendously!!!

Unreality

I’d like to discuss a symptom not often mentioned in anxiety literature—the
sensation of unreality. Psychologists call this depersonalization. Many people who
experience panic attacks and general anxiety become distressed by this sensation
and feel they may be losing their mind. They report feeling disconnected, as if their
world has become nothing more than a projection of a film. This often leads to
believing that some permanent damage has been done to their brain, which is
causing these sensations.

A typical manifestation of this depersonalization (unreality) is when you’re having a
conversation with someone and you suddenly feel alarmingly isolated and removed
from the situation. Once the sensation arises, it can be so impactful that it takes
days to leave the eerie feeling behind and stop thinking about it.

The sensation is caused by delayed perception and mental preoccupation. While
under constant stress or anxiety, the buildup of stress chemicals in your system
causes a delayed response in sending information between neurotransmitter sites in
your body. This slight delay between experience and thought can create a
momentary sensation of unreality. The same effects are experienced under the

128



influence of marijuana, but people don’t react with fear because they’re aware that
the drug is causing the sensation. It’s when the sensation arrives while you’re doing
your tax return that things feel a little scary!

I mention depersonalization because the condition isn’t often discussed, and I want
to reassure those of you who may have experienced it that it’s only a side effect of
excessive anxiety—it will pass as soon as your anxiety level comes down. Once the
mind and body return to a normal level of relaxation, your body then has the
opportunity to dispel some excess chemicals, and the sensation of being
disconnected from the world ends.

In combination with this buildup of stress in the body, people often become
completely absorbed in mental activity, further fueling the feeling of separation
from the world. It’s very easy to start imagining all the terrible mental illnesses that
this sensation could mean, but don’t worry, you haven’t caused any damage to
yourself, and you’ll return to the person you were before depersonalization crept in.
You’ll have to trust me on that.

The quickest way out of this disconnected feeling is to really accept it for the time
being and have faith that it will pass shortly. Shrug your shoulders and relax into it,
regardless of how strange it feels. You can adopt this relaxed attitude because you
know that you’ll return to normal when you remove anxiety from the equation.
Remind yourself that this is a phase you’re moving through, so be patient and kind
to yourself while you’re experiencing it.

What really moves people out of this sensation quickest is adopting an attitude that
all is well. And it is. These unusual sensations of depersonalization are just a
nuisance, but they’ll pass. As I mentioned, not feeling connected to yourself in this
manner is solely due to the anxiety in your system, and it’s then reinforced when
you constantly check in to see how you’re feeling. Checking in means that you
could be having a conversation with someone, but part of you continually checks to
see if the eerie feeling is there or not. It’s like you’re overanalyzing yourself all the

129



time, and that can make you feel even stranger. I appreciate how uncomfortable it
can be, but don’t worry about it. It will leave, so don’t let the thoughts sucker you
into thinking you’ll be stuck with this depersonalization feeling all your life. Those
thoughts aren’t valid.

The more you flow along with it and don’t react, the more quickly you’ll return to
feeling more yourself. It takes a little practice, but that change in attitude makes a
big difference in how you feel. You should also engage in physical activities like
outdoor exercise when you feel this way. Activities such as walking, running, biking,
swimming, etc., help to shift your attention from an overfocus on mental activity to
the more physical experience of your body. Physical pursuits get you out of your
mind, so to speak, and into your body. Note that exercising outdoors is preferred
because fresh air improves mood and an overall sense of well-being.

I often suffer from the lightheadness/foggy feelings so all that info was good to know. tks