I am a female with depersonalization disorder. AMA.

threestories · 1 year

I wish it could be more under my control.

threestories · 1 year

I don't find it particularly disturbing, although some people do. I just find it's more like it "is", it just happens and then, after it passes, I go back to feeling however I was feeling when it started.

threestories · 1 year

I have never practiced meditation but I am in a DBT program so I practice mindfulness all the time. It is true that people live separated from the current moment most of the time, and that is exactly what mindfulness exercises are designed to change. Depersonalization, as you said, is a different kind of separation. It's where you have the experience that the things going on around you are actually happening in a separate locale from where you are. So I wouldn't say it's like mindfulness at all, because it feels like you've literally lost touch with your current reality, whereas mindfulness is designed to put you directly in touch with your current reality.

threestories · 1 year

It's not any of those drugs although I have been on them all (except cymbalta) and I was switched somewhat rapidly over the last few years from drug to drug. I didn't realize that this was one of the potential side effects. I'll have to ask my doctor!

threestories · 1 year

There doesn't seem to be a certain time of day when I'm more or less likely to have a DP experience, and it doesn't affect my sleep (they never last more than a few minutes).

threestories · 1 year

Sometimes I have experiences that could be described as "out of body", although I don't know if they are the same thing.

threestories · 1 year

I have been diagnosed with other illnesses but that was before the depersonalization diagnosis. I haven't had any other precautionary screenings since then. I'm glad you can relate to me about the not driving thing. It tends to suck.

threestories · 1 year

Sometimes I wonder how in the hell things happen the way they do, but I don't spend an awful lot of time thinking about it. I guess I'm just used to it. I've smoked pot but I can't say that it ever gives me a better ability to analyze myself. It doesn't seem to make the DP any worse either.

The only other odd feeling I get is a feeling like an electric shock that goes from my head to my hands and feet, and I get that several times a day. Never mentioned it to the doctor.

threestories · 1 year

I don't tell a lot of people about my disorder, and most people haven't heard of it. So, no I don't feel too stigmatized. I do feel like a tool though when I have to admit I don't drive for 'health reasons'. People give a lot of weird looks when they find out you're a full grown adult who can't drive. It's kind of embarrassing. People always ask why or assume it's epilepsy, then when I tell them it's related to mental health, they sort of look away.

threestories · 1 year

The cube happens frequently. I didn't realize that other people don't think about these things. Thanks!

threestories · 1 year

Good! Glad I could be of some help.

threestories · 1 year

Currently I am on an antidepressant and an antipsychotic. I didn't know that medication could cause depersonalization.

threestories · 1 year

I never have any control over the episodes. It sort of is like my mind giving me a little show or something, but I can't say I've ever had an epiphany. Usually they occur during stressful times so it's hard to relax when it happens.

threestories · 1 year

A domestic dog. They have awesome lives!

threestories · 1 year

That sounds more like derealization, where you feel removed from reality.

threestories · 1 year

I was unaware of that stipulation in the DSM. I can say at least that I know I had this before I did drugs. I was only going by what my psychiatrist says. Perhaps one of my diagnoses is wrong. This was my last diagnosis and I wasn't given any medication specifically for it. Currently I am on an antipsychotic and an antidepressant.

threestories · 1 year

I have taken LSD, DMT, salvia, 2CB, ecstasy, mushrooms, ketamine and a few other dissociatives. I've also smoked cannabis. I definitely experienced depersonalization and derealization on some of those drugs (namely LSD, DMT and mushrooms) but I can't say whether or not it was because of the drug (because they are known to do that) or if it was because of the disorder. As I stated earlier, I'm pretty sure the drugs didn't help.

threestories · 1 year

I think they would bee more entertaining if they happened when I was in a good mood. Usually they only happen when I'm extremely distressed so I can't say that I've ever experienced it as "pleasant".

threestories · 1 year

No, I knew what you were talking about :) It's possible that I made things worse by consuming copious amounts of hallucinogens in the past. If I had had a name for the disorder and known that it actually was a disorder, I probably wouldn't have done all those drugs. They certainly didn't help anything.

threestories · 1 year

It's alright! I'm just glad I didn't hurt anybody :)

threestories · 1 year

Some illicit drugs are known to cause depersonalization experiences, although I don't condone drug use. (Try DMT or LSD).

threestories · 1 year

I speak from personal experience when I say yes. As I mentioned to another user somewhere here, I once had an episode while driving and ended up driving into a ditch. I could have been seriously hurt or worse, I could have seriously hurt someone. I'll never drive again.

threestories · 1 year

Do you ever have experiences where you feel that the people around you, although they look and act like the person you know, are somehow 'imposters"? I experience the same things as you, as well as this. Just thought I'd ask because I'm not sure if it's part of depersonalization or derealization or something else entirely. Good luck to you!

threestories · 1 year

I don't know of any treatments that are specifically designed to treat depersonalization. I would recommend going to a psychiatrist and describing your experiences. You may be prescribed some kind of anti anxiety medication. Do you know what your triggers are? Mine are extreme stress, sometimes anxiety and sometimes other feelings like nostalgia (which was mentioned somewhere here by another redditor). I hope you can find help. Talk to a psychiatrist and best of luck!

threestories · 1 year

My pill consumption throughout my teens and early tweens was adequate.

threestories

TROPHY CASE

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