I feel I've been stuck in a depersonalization state for years. I feel like I'm living in this world from outside my body. I have always been a thinker. My mind never shuts off. But this is so much more. I don't even know how I've been existing in this state. Anyone understand this? Any suggestions on what to do?
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Stuck In A Depersonalization State
- Post starter Notsowild
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Meadowsweet
Diamond Member
Has something in your state changed for you to notice what you were like?
A therapist told me once that everyone has their own level of reality, and to look at it that way, if depersonalisation is helping you to cope with everyday life then it isn't a problem, and will change naturally as you continue to work with trauma..
A therapist told me once that everyone has their own level of reality, and to look at it that way, if depersonalisation is helping you to cope with everyday life then it isn't a problem, and will change naturally as you continue to work with trauma..
ms spock
VIP Member
Oh yes I do understand what you are talking about, in a big way.
- Post starter
- #4
It was my second trauma that made me realize I was this way.
Thanks Meadowsweet ...it makes me feel so much better. Now I know why others call me "odd".
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- #5
Y
yoshixvx
I don't have any suggestions, just letting you know I've felt like this for the majority of my life. It's alienating and limiting.. if there was a way to "turn it off", I would be the first to share!
ms spock
VIP Member
Anthony has written a one page on how to heal/recover from PTSD. It has some good points.
Skills I would suggest to develop to be more present in your life include: emotional regulation, breathing, meditation, relaxation, exercise, mindfulness, sleep hygiene and a commitment not to beat yourself up for being stuck in the state that you find yourself in. I have wasted a few years beating myself up over things. Still had to do the same work at the end of that. (I hope that is the end.)
DBT and CBT are good to look up and start being aware of and choose one thing to do for 5 minutes per day. Do that.
It won't go away in a day or even a few weeks. It will take time and persistence, patience, perseverance and practice.
So developing self compassion is also important in my mind. You have to be kind to yourself and begin to work on your own emotional boundaries so you can self regulate to shift the depersonalisation.
Finding fun and self soothing are really important there has to be stuff to look forward to and a reason to actually be present in this now. If it is just more scary stuff you won't shift out of it.
Still on my L's with this stuff. You know the beginner's mind in meditation, life skills etc.
Best Wishes to you with all that.
Skills I would suggest to develop to be more present in your life include: emotional regulation, breathing, meditation, relaxation, exercise, mindfulness, sleep hygiene and a commitment not to beat yourself up for being stuck in the state that you find yourself in. I have wasted a few years beating myself up over things. Still had to do the same work at the end of that. (I hope that is the end.)
DBT and CBT are good to look up and start being aware of and choose one thing to do for 5 minutes per day. Do that.
It won't go away in a day or even a few weeks. It will take time and persistence, patience, perseverance and practice.
So developing self compassion is also important in my mind. You have to be kind to yourself and begin to work on your own emotional boundaries so you can self regulate to shift the depersonalisation.
Finding fun and self soothing are really important there has to be stuff to look forward to and a reason to actually be present in this now. If it is just more scary stuff you won't shift out of it.
Still on my L's with this stuff. You know the beginner's mind in meditation, life skills etc.
Best Wishes to you with all that.
ms spock
VIP Member
And focus on your success of noticing the state in you are in. That is pretty impressive that you are so brave to notice this and also be willing to change and wanting to change it.
That is something to celebrate.
On the way through you need to write lists of your successes so you can read them and remind yourself in the low points.
That is something to celebrate.
On the way through you need to write lists of your successes so you can read them and remind yourself in the low points.
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Like others have said, it's a great step that you're now aware of the depersonalisation. In hindsight I realise I've been fluctuating in and out of a state of depersonalisation since I was a kid, sometimes for longer periods, others times just a few hours or even minutes.
I find what helps the most for me lately is to make an effort to connect with others and to get to know them -- in person. Talking and asking questions; sharing things. That kind of tangible interaction is something I really savour when I can find people I feel comfortable with. Also physical activities that requires concentration e.g. singing in a choir. I've found these activities can lift me out of a depersonalised state quite quickly if I give myself a chance.
I find what helps the most for me lately is to make an effort to connect with others and to get to know them -- in person. Talking and asking questions; sharing things. That kind of tangible interaction is something I really savour when I can find people I feel comfortable with. Also physical activities that requires concentration e.g. singing in a choir. I've found these activities can lift me out of a depersonalised state quite quickly if I give myself a chance.
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