I sometimes feel like i'm not in my body

[MapOfOhio]

It doesn't last too long. I just sort of "drift into" this feeling walking down the street or writing or whatever, and then I realise that it's like I've been looking at myself from "outside". The best way to describe it would be that I feel "within and without" (all credit to Fitzgerald). Does anyone have a clue what this could be (if anything at all)? Thanks for reading. :tup:

 

[DharmaGirl]

Yep, when I am going through difficult times in therapy, I see us from the side, instead of just seeing my therapist. I do it a lot in life too, but not as much as before. My whole life used to be like that. Its depersonalization. From Wikipedia : Depersonalization (or depersonalisation) is an anomaly of self-awareness. It consists of a feeling of watching oneself act, while having no control over a situation.[1] Subjects feel they have changed, and the world has become vague, dreamlike, less real, or lacking in significance. It can be a disturbing experience, since many feel that, indeed, they are living in a "dream".

 

[Leanne1]

It sounds like you are disassociating.

When it happens for me, it is similar to what you are describing. Kind of like checking out of your body.

Smelling a scent, or feeling a texture
Have helped me be able to feel again. Or talking myself through where I am am telling myself that I am safe.

 

[DharmaGirl]

When I am "foggy" I pick a color in my mind, then look around until I find it, then pick another, on and on until I feel present. It really worked well for me.

 

[Notsowild]

Yes definetly sounds like depersonsalizing to me. I think mine is getting chronic now. I can't seem to pull my myself out of it. Hoping my new trauma therapist can help. So @KiteRunner1234 I understand

 

[Leanne1]

I thought this was a part of disassociating. I'm new to all of this.... Lots to learn.

 

[hln]

I have this too, not often but I have exactly what you describe... I guess is disassociation , but I have no idea where it comes from and why we have it :(

 

[Maggiemay]

Yep, I agree with others - it sounds like depersonalisation.

I struggle with it a lot. Often my body with go psychically numb so I can't feel it, I will be looking at myself as an observer (hard to explain...) and I have a complete detachment from my mind and body - they're like two separate entities at war with each other. Horrid feeling.

Lots of literature out there - I've downloaded a couple of books onto my kindle app, however they're a bit too technical for me at times... Nice tho to gain an understanding and to realise I'm not alone. X