Feeling Unreal: Coping with Trauma-Induced Dissociation & Panic

[SteadfastStrength]

Everyday I feel so unreal. I feel like I’m dead or in a dream.

I had a really bad car accident but I don’t remember any of it. I was fine up until I had a panic attack, and then everyday from then I’ve been dissociating without it stopping.

I’m scared to go outside, or when it’s dark, or when I’m alone, or taking meds, or eating like someone gonna drug me. idk why i just feel that way.

I just don’t know what to do. ive tried meds but they haven’t worked for me and im scared to take medicine to. I was on Effexor recently and I started getting the same symptom when my ptsd first started where when I was sleeping my stomach would start buzzing and wake me up but this time on Effexor I would go to sleep and I would catch myself not breathing which followed with my stomach buzzing so I stopped taking it.

I just don’t know what to do day by day I feel like I won’t be able to get better.

 

[parrotthepolly]

You need to remember that the car crash has already happened and over and done with. It's much easier said than done if the memories are repressed cause the nervous system still remembers even if you don't so it shows up as paranoia in all other areas of life.

With the food, I suggest preparing it yourself so know for sure it's not poisoned. Can't help with walking at night or being alone since I sometimes feel the same way.

Never had any experience with medications but from what I know it only numbs you but doesn't exactly treat the PTSD itself which I imagine causes more paranoia.

Have you spoken to a psychiatrist/therapist and did they give you advice?

 

[SteadfastStrength]

I have a phychitrist and therapist and I was just in a phych ward but I got out of there quick it was bad. I feel like with my therapist we get nowhere and just talk about irrelevant things like my day or how I’m feeling but that’s it and she specializes in trauma but I just don’t feel like I’m getting helped.

 

[anthony]

I would recommend self-help any day over therapy. There are some amazing books within therapy types that will teach you what you need, and you will instinctively take what works for you from the book, instead of trying the entire book, which is therapy + another's opinion.

Nobody can fix you, except you. Therapy or otherwise.

 

[SteadfastStrength]

I would recommend self-help any day over therapy. There are some amazing books within therapy types that will teach you what you need, and you will instinctively take what works for you from the book, instead of trying the entire book, which is therapy + another's opinion.

Nobody can fix you, except you. Therapy or otherwise.

Do you have any books you recommend?

 

[Rose White]

Self therapy by jay earley

 

[anthony]

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy - David Burns - That would be my first read, as understanding CBT will help you understand yourself to stop all the internal BS we tell ourselves, to self-justify, etcetera, and help yourself work out fact from fiction going on within you.

To date, CBT fundamentals are still the highest recommended treatment for PTSD - which is what therapists are doing with you, except this cuts through all the shit and when you struggle in understanding something about yourself, that you find, acknowledge and accept needs pulling apart / change, then that is the part you reach out for ideas, whether online or a therapist. Going to a therapist for them to help you is like a needle in a haystack versus going to them with a specific reference that you need their help to frame for your own full acceptance.

There are lots of books... prolonged exposure, understanding it, using it to help treat yourself to get past nagging fears and such that cause distress. Exposure in general to desensitise yourself to practical fears.

 

[SteadfastStrength]

Self therapy by jay earley

Thank you I really appreciate it

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy - David Burns - That would be my first read, as understanding CBT will help you understand yourself to stop all the internal BS we tell ourselves, to self-justify, etcetera, and help yourself work out fact from fiction going on within you.

To date, CBT fundamentals are still the highest recommended treatment for PTSD - which is what therapists are doing with you, except this cuts through all the shit and when you struggle in understanding something about yourself, that you find, acknowledge and accept needs pulling apart / change, then that is the part you reach out for ideas, whether online or a therapist. Going to a therapist for them to help you is like a needle in a haystack versus going to them with a specific reference that you need their help to frame for your own full acceptance.

There are lots of books... prolonged exposure, understanding it, using it to help treat yourself to get past nagging fears and such that cause distress. Exposure in general to desensitise yourself to practical fears.

Thank you so much for replying and sharing information

 

[anthony]

Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in 7 Weeks - Seth J. Gillihan