Do i exist?

[Angelwings]

I feel like I don't exist. I know that I have real love for my son, but I am not sure he exists either. Actually, I don't know if anyone exists. Anyone else feel this way?

 

[Sweetleaf]

Well, Descartes would say:

cogito ergo sum

I think therefore I am.

Because you are having thoughts, there must be a thinker, in order for those thoughts to exist, therefore, because you are thinking, you are existing. Therefore, yes, you exist. Everybody gets to confirm their own existence, at the very least.

The thought "do I exist?" is proof of existence. You must exist in order to question your own existence. As far as your son and the rest of the world goes, it's more plausible that everything is real, and everyone else is real just like you, than the idea that you're the only consciousness in existence, or that no consciousnesses exist.

 

[Angelwings]

Well, Descartes would say:

cogito ergo sum

I think therefore I am.

Because you are having thoughts...

Good points, but for some reason a reasonable argument doesn't change the way I feel. Maybe I'm just too dissociated or something.

 

[Sweetleaf]

I get what you mean. I have the same sort of problem myself sometimes. Have you tried grounding exercises?

 

[Angelwings]

OMG have I tried grounding exercises! I feel like that's all I do. I find something rough in the room, find something smooth, find something shiny, find something soft. Feel my feet on the ground, name the colors of all the books in the bookshelf...I could go on, but I think you get the idea. I just wanted to make sure I'm not the only one.

 

[Sweetleaf]

Aww I'm sorry : (.

Yeah though, you're not alone. :hug:

 

[Marinna]

I don't have dissociation problems so I can't really relate. You are not alone though (look at the messages here). I am struck by the fact that you can hold on to the reality of feeling love for your son. That is incredible and real as hell. Hang in there angel wings. We are all behind you!!

 

[Angelwings]

The only thing in the world that matters is my love for my son and his safety and well being. I suppose I can take that reality and try to build out from there...

 

[Freida]

I suppose I can take that reality and try to build out from there...

That's the best grounding there is....

And yes you exist because who else would I be talking too?
If I'm responding to someone, and that someone is you, then you must exist.:)

 

[EveHarrington]

Sounds like derealization to me.

Are you unsafe?

When I go through derealization, grounding doesn’t work. I only come out of it once I feel safe again.

Hugs.

 

[What helps me]

I've had some pretty bad episodes like this. Sometimes lasting weeks and nothing grounds me. I find comfort in the concept of why does it matter? You know currently do you ENJOY your son and life? You enjoy ice cream and the feeling of the Sun? Well even if none of us exist this is a pretty cool reality and your gonna keep being in it for awhile and if you don't well you would never know so it doesn't really Matter. What matters is you enjoy your existing right now :).

 

[Jedi]

Hi there, for me grounding usually doesn't work. What helps is this thought process. So what if you dont exist , you ENJOY your son and the feeling of the warm Sun. You enjoy ice cream ect. Even if you don't exist you exist for now and that's all that matters. Your experiences are real and you can and should focus on that. Even if for example you didn't exist tomorrow you wouldn't know. You do know you are existing and experiencing now so try not to think about it ,because it can make the feeling last longer.