My Experience with Depersonalization and Derealization (and how I overcame it)

Let's talk about DPDR. In this video, I tell a bit of my story and experience with depersonalization and derealization, and how I learned to overcome it.
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[@GTspongebob]

Anybody suffering remember you are NOT alone and your NOT going crazy it is your minds way of protecting you and you just need to accept it and carry on with your life whether it feels right to do so or not

[@DebateKing7]

Ye i know but sadly it's permanent and it will keep coming back and going away, this is just living hell and everytime when you get stress or anxious a little bit you get it back which sucks.

[@GTspongebob]

@@DebateKing7 yes but if we can keep pushing it can go away. Iv had it for over ten years on and off but when I get it I know it can fade away if I take the right steps

[@DebateKing7]

@@GTspongebob yup.....so it can permanently go away and never come back?

[@DebateKing7]

@@GTspongebob is dpdr a mental illness or a disease?

[@GTspongebob]

@@DebateKing7 neither really but defo not a disease. It’s a symptom if anxiety mate so once you address your anxiety you will start to be in the right path. Don’t research it too much like I did and end up in a whole

[@Sonicxis4ever]

To anyone watching, you are OK. I promise you are real; you are alive but most likely stressed and going through the motions of life. I recently commented on an Instagram post about this and a girl reached out to me in my DMs and told me she felt SO normal after hearing my experience because nobody else ever articulated the way I did. Everyone has different experiences, but I promise there are people who relate to how you feel and you will be ok.

[@iceblu4713]

So this is what 2 years of *extreme* stress caused by my upcoming-in-4-months three final highschool exams... Hell. Lord have mercy on me...

[@nidharatti6501]

​@@iceblu4713same dude its happening to me during exams too i feel unreal and all i study is going in but i dont feel like it went in my head

[@Kountupwitkay]

I thought I would never beat this but I did it

[@Wonder779]

Thank you so much for this comment i wish u all the best

[@damian3182]

In summary, give into the fear and be present with it. Witness the depersonalization go away as you become used to the reaction, you will feel nothing to be afraid of and will just get bored and move on. 👌

[@victorraymond5211]

How do you get it to stay away because I get it in waves? Some days are easier than others.

[@damian3182]

@victorraymond5211 find the patterns in your body. For me it's been the lack of sleep and post stress from an old panic attack that brought dp. I no longer have panic attacks like I used to and I feel better when I get a good 6-8 hrs sleep in. These two things helped me control dp. On days that it's easier for you, figure out why. What did you eat and do differently or better yet, what did you not do that normally would bring the waves back. Once you figure out what makes things worse in your body, it gets easier to control.

[@victorraymond5211]

@damian3182 thank you 🙏🙂

[@JoeSmith-pf7ir]

The blurry vision part is terrible. I pace alot due to the derealization part. It is like forgetting how you feel and what ypu used to like and not like. The physical symptoms are horrible. I have had it twice and now going on my 3rd round of it. Its like you dont want to do anything but you want to do everything all at the same time. The intrusive thoughts, the lack of wanting to eat and not being able to sleep. It is like being in hell. I pray that this veil gets lifted in my brain.

[@Growingbuds420]

Omg this is literally me. It has been with me for like 4 years now I’d say. Idek what to say rn I’m in shock

[@user-bg1bb7wq6k]

How can you remember what you like? I’m having difficulty with that

[@Growingbuds420]

@@user-bg1bb7wq6k me too bro

[@Growingbuds420]

@@user-bg1bb7wq6k I have for years now

[@bebigyrltia]

Mine was from a marijuana edible . It lasted from august 2021 until about February of 2023. Felt like I was in a 1st POV movie 24/7 and just not like a real person at all. I’m like 95% better. And used to watch these videos everyday desperate for help ! But I’m here to tell you, it WILL leave you . For me, time healed it, nothing else. Just go through life and your regular everyday routine, keep your mind actively busy with hobbies/work, accept that you’re feeling this way , keep calm and I promise you it will subside ❤❤

[@chemito1650]

I got it the same way same year lol I still have it though

[@slv6470]

​@@chemito1650same, well i got it 4y ago but the same way and still have it 😅

[@haileyfaber7589]

Same thing.. had it for three years went away and moore came back worse. Did you feel like you almost forgot who you are. Like genuinely forget you in a a body. It just continues to get worse even though my anxiety has gotten so much better. So confusing.

[@Sonicxis4ever]

Thank you, my friend! This happened to me when I worked at starbucks many moons ago. I was sleep deprived and chronically stressed. I came out of it and then it happened again when I was working fulltime and going to college full time as well. Same pattern, lack of sleep, chronic stress. It does go away. It can get triggered again but its not dangerous.

[@ka.delosan]

Hi i got mine the same way, but did you take maijuana regularly or just once. Because I took a lot but only one time due to peer pressure.

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

People with this illness usually feel like they have to 'snap out of it' to be free of it and 'back to normal' but i fully understand the constant feeling makes it very difficult to ignore it. But you absolutely CAN snap out of it slowly and completely. I've done it twice over 20 years, with only a short time (a month each time) spent suffering with DPDR. I can confirm that with the aid of an SSRI and retraining your brain to ignore the loop you are in, you will leave it all behind you and be back to your old self. You must keep busy, a hobby will greatly help breaking out of the cycle. It will be slow, but you absolutely will come back to normal.

[@mohamedfarah8610]

Exactly it's as you have said. I also experienced it twice. My first time was only for 7 months I recovered fully without using any medication but now I am suffering for 4 years+ though sometimes I feel little bit clarity I still have it. To ignore it isn't a solution but to accept,embrace and consider it as though it is like a common cold or malaria that will fade away when they are treated is the only solution.

[@Kamilo007]

But how do we treat this crazy shit bro

[@Eserr7856]

​@@Kamilo007medication, professional counseling

[@notjaybtw6608]

@@Kamilo007you really don’t. what i said sounds scary but it’s the opposite, you sit back and relax. Hear me out, with dpdr there’s not much for you to do other than let the dpdr run its course and when you don’t stress about it so much and live out your life it goes away more and more. You don’t have to work hard for recovery really it just, fades.

[@johnschmeding]

Great presentation. You give a very clear description of what itlike.I'm 68 and started feeling DP when I was 16. The less one fights the feeling the quicker it dissipates. Its a horrible feeling, but it passes. One important thing I learned is that it's not who I am it's a feeling I experience. Well done. Thank you.

[@ZaepongDetailing]

Going through this kinda loop. It will go away, you may feel like you’re stuck and can’t change but you will get back to your self. Just keep your mind off of it and try to stay calm while going through this journey

[@Catioux9]

Hey just was sent a message about this doctor he is really good sorry if im doing too much but I just want others to get they same help that I got

[@raquelsarig]

@@Catioux9what kind of doctor?

[@MJK.1]

I’m scared man, I’m so tired of this feeling. I’ve been living with this for 5 years now and I’m giving up. But I’m gonna try what you’ve said in this video. I’m not gonna care about it anymore.

[@mohamedfarah8610]

Don't give up hope this is temporary and not permanent I am suffering it for 4 years+ and it's the second one the first one was with me for only 7 months and left me away without even medication so be patient and give time to your brain to heal by itself. Now my main symptom is not recognising myself especially my upper part of my body particularly the neck and the head I feel like as if they were chopped off I only recognise them by touching that is my worst symptom. I sometimes would rather preferred to not recognise my lower limbs than my neck and the head because you can even move and live without legs and hands but can't without a neck and head

[@hueso5071]

How are you now?

[@AT-wp8ri]

You okay now???

[@megancarey2121]

I tried this, ten years in constant state.. yet to get a break.

[@myrahouse2368]

Nah carry on … we all deal with weird stuff it’s life ….

[@Basedgoon245]

I want everyone to know that it does go away. It does get better and yes unfortunately it comes back if you slip up on keeping your routine. Yes take a day to rest from work, school etc but keep your routine, stay busy and I promise you it gets so much better. The hardest part is taking the initial step but once you make that leap it will help you so much. Mine was gone for about 2-3 years and I’m currently back in it (6-7 months) and it’s because I stopped staying busy. I’ve been isolated essentially the whole time and it’s also fueling it. Have good faith and keep fighting. We’re okay and we can beat it. Do not give up and let it win. Good luck everyone.

[@BlueBlanket-iw7jz]

Thank you

[@notjaybtw6608]

You have to learn to live with the thoughts and instead of fighting them let them be and your mind will shift onto better things

[@nicodemusbyers7423]

You have really helped me. I'm stuck in this cycle of wake up disassociating and feeling exhausted from it all day.

[@rlsstudio2305]

Me too when i wake up i just think of this, i can t enjoy my life anymore i am always very sad bcs i have this…

[@nigerianprince11]

@@rlsstudio2305i can relate to this. My dreams feel more real than when i wake up. How are you guys going about recovering. I'm bout to start college this fall and I am stressing about my college life with this issue. I need advice. Anything helps please.

[@meditatepoetrapper9416]

this comment helped me a lot. i feel like this when i hit my lows

[@Neilius.]

Hey everyone. The way I would explain depersonalisation/derealization is that when we elicit the stress response (anxious response) is that when anxiety surpasses a specific threshold, mechanisms in our brain make us 'derealized' as a means of defense. My hypothesis is that our brain does this to avoid overstimulation, similarly with physical anxiety symptoms, where we may feel lethargic, meaning we're less likely to 'over do it', playing it safe with the thought of something happening. But, as with physical symptoms of anxiety, we misinterpretate the sensations as something wrong; like the physical symptoms, it's a viscous circle of thoughts feeding anxiety. I hope my explanation of limited knowledge helps anyone that reads this, reassuring them that DPDR is totally ok, nothing catastrophic will happen. To whoever reads this, I sincerely hope you feel better soon and I'm with you every step of the way💙💙💙

[@mamabutterfly9778]

I’ve never met or found anyone who has suffered with anxiety similar to me and as young as me. I find peace in your videos and thank you for what you do ❤

[@sanjamilic7143]

Same here ❤

[@mousicos72]

Mate. I'm almost 52 and am a practising Child Counsellor. Like most therapists, trauma led me to this career. I've been suffering with this since I was 9, cried myself to sleep for years and told nobody! At 28 I found a great Counsellor and was ok for 5 years, then had another episode. I then embarked on a journey to become a therapist. I've studied many theories and had several therapists and NOBODY mentioned this! I've wanted to kill myself or admit myself into a mental unit many times. I've recently had a bout and am just coming out of the woods, thanks in part to videos like this! Carl Jung and Freud both wrote their best selling books from within a mid life crisis. During my recent fog, I decided to write, because it's so dam hard to describe it when not IN it. Thanks for this brother. You're saving lives 🙏

[@notjaybtw6608]

you will benefit greatly by watching lily sais video on dpdr. It gives you a better understanding and helped me so much

[@scrungo7610]

I cried through this entire video. I’ve been dealing with panic attacks for 15 years now and after a few years of relative peace I relapsed very badly a couple weeks ago. It has turned my entire life upside down and my symptoms worse than ever, especially the derealization. It’s like my mind is being squeezed in on all sides and my adrenaline is just constantly flowing. Out of nowhere the panic cycle started up again and I’m afraid of everything. Eating, sleeping, driving, thunderstorms, you name it. However, watching your video helped reassure me that the cycle can be broken and I’m really looking forward to getting through this again.

[@thesdfable]

I am so sorry you are going through this. I also had panic disorder for years though I havent had any attacks the past year. I feel very lucky. Are you seeing a therapist? it really helps.

[@Bingbongq]

I'm going through the same shit the panic hits home to me id panic myself further into dissociating and it would cycle I felt like I was loosing it

[@scrungo7610]

@@Bingbongq You can get through this, I promise you. Here I am a week later 3 day streak of managing and full nights sleep after the worst month I’ve ever had. I promise you it will get better. My breakthrough moment a few days ago was going for a run during the start of an attack. It sounds extremely scary and it was, but I had this feeling deep down that I had to get this adrenaline OUT of my body. Had a full blown attack on the 4 mile run but pushed through and I’ve been on the up and up since. You gotta train your mind and body to treat adrenaline and the thoughts/feelings that come along with it as a normal thing because it is. They are normal things to feel. Once you push through even one time gets so much better. It will pass. Normally will return. You will be stronger when it’s over. You can do this. Happy to share more if it helps

[@Bingbongq]

@scrungo7610 But why is this adrenaline causing me to not feel real or dream like I remember on roller coasters I never felt like this in fact I felt more alive then ever I know dissociation is the bodies way of coping with pain but why when it just makes it worse you feel? I'd like to hear more about your experience if you dont mind sharing and it won't trigger anything because I'm going through it right now as I'm typing this

[@scrungo7610]

@@Bingbongq No problem. The reason this happens as I’ve read and experienced, is because this detach from reality is a defense mechanism that’s part of the flight or flight response. This detachment helps us cope with the “threat” along with the adrenaline that will help us run/fight. The problem is that when there is no external threat for the defense mechanisms to combat with, our minds and body will attache this response to internal stimuli and thoughts and basically create a trauma response that can be triggered again with no external threat. It’s like when people see things in slow motion during a car crash or other traumatic events. Normally all of these feelings will pass when the threats are dealt with. They are normal natural feelings that are actually highly beneficial. Unfortunately for us, our nervous systems get confused and retrained to fear the threat response as an actual threat thus creating the panic cycle. It’s like fear of the fear of the fear causes more fear and can get out of control. My major breakthrough was basically saying to myself and my heart “I’ll give you something to beat about” and went for a really hard run. I had to match my actions with the adrenaline I was feeling to get things back in order. You have to get that out of your body so it can rewire itself to respond correctly. I’ve been running to activate the sympathetic nervous (fight or flight) then immediately going for a cold shower to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (stops fight or flight) and it’s been working great. 3 days in a row managing the attacks and today is my best day yet. It will go away. It’s not dangerous. It’s just scary and very uncomfortable. You can get past it.

[@graceokayy1978]

Thank you for the clarity, you’re amazing.

[@albind8622]

You are great! You made me understand a lot more about this. Thank you

[@petitenonette8]

Thank you for sharing! This clears things a lot. I hope I can try your way

[@kateh9692]

I relate to all of this so deeply, thank you for sharing your story 🙏🏼♥️

[@blackloxrandom199]

my problem isn't even that it's like a movie, its that anyone i talk to doesn't feel real, it feels like im completely alone and it doesn't go away

[@lis0]

I understand you completely, you’re not going crazy it’s simply your mind tricking you, only you can make it better or escalate it, tell yourself “life is beautiful, I am blessed, I’m ok and I’m not stressed. It’s a battle in your mind, it’s simply your brain coping with stress, you’re not crazy. praying for us both 💝

[@davidbayne4152]

i feel the same way but it’s just your brain trying to understand your anxiety. for me i think my brain tries to say that i’m in a coma or i’m dreaming and that’s why i don’t feel right but once you realize that is all it is it helps a lot.

[@samrren751]

Just don't try to question it .... don't try to observe what u r feeling just try to distract urself...

[@michael5089]

A very well done video about this condition. Had it pretty bad now for over 10 years.

[@koala728]

Thanks for speaking about this 🙏🙏

[@potc4251]

This gave me a lot of hope. When I was young I had similar symptoms but ignored it for a long time, and throughout my life there were always hints of me feeling a little out of it, that’s the best way I always could describe it, and the fear that I was going insane always feed more into it. I think recognizing that this is a natural response to stress, and from hearing from your story that this is the worst it gets, really gave me a level of comfort and a sense of readiness to tackle this challenge in life. I will say this has been the worst feeling I’ve experienced in my life but I do believe that knowledge is power and understanding not only what this response is, but what causes it can help. I’ve had a very hard time embracing negative emotions in the past but I do believe that this is the key to living a better life. Thank you for sharing your experience and helping others!

[@danielreid060]

great video and information, thanks 👍 enjoying the content

[@Mr.therugdealer]

Not a messy video at all mate. For The one who has it, it was a real treatment: tnx mate.

[@TamIIITam]

Thanks! It helps to to feel not alone and just watching this video telling the anxiety “can you give me more?” And just breathing calming, turned me more towards reality

[@benskinner8580]

Great content thank you - I feel like the depersonalisation is one of the hardest parts of a panic attack to overcome - ir's so accurate how you described it and great that you've made such progress. Your resources will help me a lot I'm sure 👍👍

[@excessmeteor9704]

I absolutely love you. From one human tk another, nothing weird. Ive been going through this for years but only over the past couple years really understanding how to get through it. Everything you said is 💯 true. Anyone whos really struggling you can do this and get through it. I thought i was a lost cause so many times but its not true. Your mind and body are just being over protective and needs love and reassurance that its ok and safe. Your anxiety and panic is really your bodys own way of saying it loves you so much that it kicks in every system to keep you safe. Youre beautifully, meticulously created.

[@jennessy408]

Thank you so much for posting your experience with DPDR. I have CPTSD and recently something traumatic happened to me so it’s triggered my DPDR. I just recently realized what it was and learning how to navigate through it. This gives me hope that I can overcome the feelings..

[@LynnetBlake]

Hi there! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, feelings and experiences of anxiety.

[@tendollaroatmealboy]

Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@Dd-wm6sk]

I am also stuck in this whole of depersonalisation and derealisation. I had pretty the same feelings about it and also was scared about my reality and was asking myself always about that. Till now I still didn't find something or someone to pull me out of this grave, but your video helped a lot and gave me some directions how I should think about that and what to think. So, thank you. Now I am your new subscriber.

[@joygriego9006]

I cried through this whole video I really thought I was alone! Thank you for posting this and all these tips! My experience was spot in with yours and I cried tears or joy and sadness all at once in this video because of how much I can relate to this! You’ve literally saved my life with this and I’m going to try these techniques and hopefully get better! ❤️😭

[@sheshugaming2965]

Hello bro did u overcome it

[@avinjackson647]

Yo did you ever overcome it?

[@joygriego9006]

@@avinjackson647 I have yes! And you can too!

[@joygriego9006]

@@sheshugaming2965 I have !!!

[@maeveb757]

@@joygriego9006 how 😭😭

[@lizfranze9149]

Just thank you for now. Have me speechless 😢

[@mariumparuspirzada7319]

I wish i had found this video before. I can relate to each and everything. I still go through this, but I've gotten so much better. I've stopped constantly searching it, and thinking about it, it has helped. It is very, very hard but please know this is a very slow process and it will take time and it will be over.

[@RonaldBernard2301]

Messy videos are often the best ones. You spoke from your heart without thinking too much. You are authentic and I respect that! I recognize a lot now about my own situation, I have the same symptoms, and now I have a firm intention to accept them as they are. I ordered the book and am going to survive! Yes, isn't the world beautiful?

[@jonnyb6999]

This has really helped me today. Going through this exact thing! Great videos. Thanks

[@anxiety_fitness]

That's great, thank you for your comment!

[@Calmwhispersasmr88]

What an awesome video! Thank you! I am trying to accept & befriend this feeling, I have lived in it since I was 17 years, and I am now 35.. So crazy to think about.. I will invite it in❤️ Thank you for spreading awareness about something so important❤️

[@selenacruz161]

Thank you so much for bringing this up. I thought I was the only one! You described exactly what I am going through! The moment that was the last straw is when it happened while I was driving on the freeway with my daughter in the car and it was the most horrifying experience

[@shermeledwards-maddox8685]

Thank for this video and sharing your story. Very practical and sound advice.

[@anxiety_fitness]

You're welcome, thank you for watching!

[@robertbowyer6761]

Thank you for this video . Ive been dealing with DPDR for decades on & off along with depression and anxiety. I learned to live with & get on top of it and the last 3 years i completely turned things around , even travelling away on weekends on my own , unthinkable at one time . However im having a health issue at the moment thats being investigated making me feel anxious . Ive been signed off work , which has meant complete disruption of my routine and spending lots of time on my own. This has caused a major DPDR episode, which i thought it would , but this video & these comments have really helped. I hope i get to the bottom of my medical issue & if its a positive outcome i hope to get myself back on track !!

[@Prod.jaymelodies]

I’ve been experiencing this for months after a concussion, it’s one of the last remaining symptoms related to post-concussion syndrome. I went through the worst anxiety of my life when it started and now I feel so much better, but things still seem off. I get moments of clarity but they don’t last that long. Thank you for the video and bits of advice as well!

[@Bandito.Swiftie]

Oh my god I've been looking for what's wrong with me for so long and I found a video a few days back that told me it was this dpdr thing but your video really made it sink in for me *exactly* what is going on and what to do about it. Can't thank you enough. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@notjaybtw6608]

how are you now

[@Kidseasydrawing369]

I suffered this for almost a year started when i was 2 months pregnant… I had ocd nd depression most of my teenage.. but this is worst than anything i went through.. I used to feel that my surroundings are in 2D .. everything used to seems blurry.. and colors used to seem dull and dark.. i used to feel like i am in a bad dream .. Like in a horror dream… the feeling of being trapped like this forever used to give me panic attacks.. no one understood when i used to tell.. only my parents understood.. i went to live with them .. and consulted doctor twice.. tried taking my life once because of this as it was soo horrible but i was pregnant I couldn’t took that step… i am all recovered now.. if any one wants to talk .. i am happy to help

[@JerryAnonuevo-gl8kp]

Hellow po

[@Kidseasydrawing369]

@@JerryAnonuevo-gl8kp hello

[@Lenny-san]

Thank you for uploading this video. I actually experience this quite a bit. When I’m under a lot of stress or if the panic attacks are really intense. It’s a strange feeling. It’s like you know that that u are not dreaming but at the same time everything feels like you are. Very difficult to explain. I don’t know anyone personally that experiences this so I feel alone a lot. It’s hard to explain to someone who doesn’t seem to understand. But thank you, even though I don’t know you personally it’s good to know I’m not alone in this experience.

[@anxiety_fitness]

Thank you! You're definitely not alone. It took me many years to realize there were others who felt the same. Now I know it's actually very common!

[@SuurSuomi96]

Thank you man this video helped me a lot i appreciate it bro

[@soniasorppa]

This video gave me alot of hope! Your story sounds very similiar to mine but I'm still in the process of getting better. Depersonalization and derealization have been part of my life since I was also around 5 years old and I remember those were the years when I first started to question the life or what happends after death or am I even alive. And I had the excatly same teenage years when I kind of a forgot the whole thing and didn't feel any anxiety or depersonalization or realization. I always search for security in things and this video gave me alot to think about. I am finally starting my therapy journey and journey to start living with these feelings instead running away from them. I will also link this video to my therapist since thanks to my anxiety I easily forgot to tell her everything I have in mind and you literally spoke the words I have always wanted to say!

[@anxiety_fitness]

Sounds very similar, it seems like you are on the right path!

[@kberk76]

I can’t believe your explanation of these experiences is exactly like mine. Really it’s mind blowing. I’ve spent over 25 years struggling with this. I know I’m not alone but it does feel that way often. My biggest struggle is that sometimes I don’t think it’s my brain doing the thinking and that it is someone else. Did you ever experience that? The unexplained fear and acceptance is a tough one for me. Videos like this is a game changer. Thank you for sharing this and validating my existence.

[@megan873]

Omg… I thought I was the only one who felt this. I used to ask my partner “am I here” or “am I alseep” he thought I was insane. It was like I was living in a movie I wasn’t meant to be in. I had no idea it even had a name let alone was a symptom of my anxiety. This is honestly a breakthrough.

[@bestie2015]

I do the same thing I'm so glad im not alone in this I constantly ask my bf if im here and real and I look in the mirror and I don't know who I'm looking plus annoyingly intrusive thoughts at very depressing hopefully we can come out of this soon 🙏🏽🙏🏽💝💝

[@dusabeangebenie3922]

Hello ! Is there anyone who can help me to move out for this stupid thoughts and Imaginations! Please I need your Help!

[@samrren751]

​@@dusabeangebenie3922I'm here I also want someone to talk about it to discuss it ....

[@mingramh]

Great video, thanks.

[@tiffheff2587]

thank you so much for speaking about this!! it's so scary and feels so weird, almost like i'm drunk/high when i'm completely sober. i stopped smoking weed after almost a decade (and a lot of attempts to stop) and the past few months i've been dealing with this weird almost out of body experience that i couldn't figure out. i was just attributing to all the smoking i did and the damage it may have caused my brain, but after some google/reddit research i think it's DPDR, especially after hearing others like you speak about their experiences with it. i can't even properly put it into words, but it feels like i'm dissociating and watching myself while i'm trapped behind my eyes up in my own head. i don't know how to break out of it, some days it's worse and some it's a bit better, but i feel like i'm going crazy. i feel weird like 90%+ of the time and i'm so tired. i just want to feel normal again 😭

[@pythiaonline6666]

Greetings from Greece! Thank you for this upload. My journey with panic disorder and dpdr started 1 year ago, i found u on tiktok and ur videos really helped me. I'm in a better place now but derealization is really difficult to go and i know it. Although i just choose to live my life now and dont let it ruin everything!!

[@anxiety_fitness]

Thank you for your comment! You are doing the right thing! Just remember to embrace it and accept it, it can't hurt you or harm you, and you will be okay! Accepting uncomfortable feelings is hard, but worth it, good luck!

[@jonmichael8595]

Subscribed. I watched ur anxiety videos on TikTok I’m a dpdr sufferer for a while due to weed smoking for 1 time and full blown panic attack and been in a roller coaster of this anxiety and dissociation without any help. Hope I’ll overcome it

[@AT-wp8ri]

You ok now????

[@unevendiaries961]

I can't thank you enough, I can't tell you how many doctors I had concealed but no one was able to identify my depersonalization and derealization disorder, so I took matters in my own hand and as an responsible adult, started looking for symptoms online and after a lot I. Mean it a lot of research and time I found out about it but now I didn't know how to treat it and I didn't want to go back to doctors and take like 10 tables at a time and then I found this video and as he said I tried to embrace it and accept it and it's a lot better now. I'm so grateful thank you so much.

[@Dellaa2222]

Thank you so much for this video. It makes me feel so much better knowing that DPDR is a real thing and it’s not all imagined or a mysterious brain disease. I’m hopeful that one day I will feel normal.

[@anxiety_fitness]

You're welcome, I am glad it can help you to feel better! :)

[@GalaxyHD]

Hi, been waiting for a video like this. I’ve been struggling for over a year now, last few months have been really hard, I get it at least every 40 minutes now. I feel like im stuck in a loop. I find when im home it’s okay. But as I changed environment then it hits me full force. So hard to deal with. Thanks for the video

[@anxiety_fitness]

I know what you mean. It can get better, keep going, try to accept it, remove the fear!

[@user-vl9kk1ss2x]

In my experience, it feels less like looking through tinted glass and more like playing a fullscreen video game and stepping back from the monitor a little bit. sometimes it gets so bad that I lose focus from the entire world and am so invested within the things in my mind that i have almost walked into traffic and directly in front of cars. I am honestly terrified of what will happen to me later in life if i don't figure out how to deal with it.

[@notjaybtw6608]

It’s like looking at vr. Embrace that feeling and don’t be afraid. One of the biggest reasons that DPDD lingers for a lot of people is the fact that they fear it if you just let go kick back it goes away you’ll have those moments clarity if you just accept it. There’s nothing for you to solve just let go and let it be and live your life as if it was never there

[@user-vl9kk1ss2x]

@notjaybtw6608 yeahhh, turns out it’s gender dysphoria most of the time lol fingers crossed I get medication

[@timotheegermes468]

@@user-vl9kk1ss2x how are u doing and how went the medication? I‘m curious been rejecting medication for a few months now

[@Bingbongq]

​I wonder why embracing it causes it to go away

[@sarahmugisha7626]

I’m sitting here crying because I’m so happy that I’m not alone in this and this is as worse as it gets, thank you so much for this content

[@anxiety_fitness]

Thank you, so glad it can be helpful to you!

[@shian2547]

thank you so much for sharing your experience! i currently have dpdr and it feels like im missing my own life. i even have no opportunity to go to a psychiatrist :( but i'll definitely try to cope with it like you!

[@LoganBFishing]

i hope it got better for you! i’ve been through it too and i’m actually currently dealing with a mild spell of it.

[@thomasrondeau4488]

I think you did a great job, thank you !

[@bracedface2828]

you explained it SO WELL! Thats exactly how I feel everyday. I can relate a lot to the whole room Change. thank you so much for sharing your story. I hope to get better someday. I've been having this for a little over a year and I'm so tired of it.

[@anxiety_fitness]

Thank you so much!

[@mohamedfarah8610]

​​@@anxiety_fitness thank you brother for your advice. I suffered it twice my first time was only for 7 months but now it's with me for 4 years+ it seems that my derealization had gone but depersonalization is still with me especially I constantly feel like my neck and the head are not mine and they are chopped off. I can recognise myself especially my upper part particularly my neck and my head by touching and I can't perceive where they are I mean I lost my identity

[@caitlynkocher9572]

I found you on TikTok and I saw you recommended this video. I felt that way recently.... It's insane and I instantly thought something was wrong with me. I'm glad I saw this video. Thank you!!

[@anxiety_fitness]

Thank you for you comment, I am glad it can help you realize that it is okay to feel that way!

[@1ArSiNoE3]

14 years ago I feel like I walked into a fog and have been stuck there. I’ve done numerous types of therapies. You’re right, they chalk it up to anxiety brain fog. It’s always talk, talk, talk and you’ll be fine. I like the cloudy glass thing. I’ve described it as knowing life is in high definition but my life is stuck in standard definition and one of the headphones is broken. You’re the first person that’s given an actual exercise to try that didn’t include confusing, dry psycho babble. Thank you

[@anxiety_fitness]

Thank you for your comment! Yes it's very hard for people to understand if they haven't experienced it! I hope it is able to get better for you soon!

[@supermanblue2274]

God bless you sir for the invaluable information that you have provided to me and hopefully many others that were just as confused and worried as I was before watching your video. I will try my very best to help others overcome similar occurrences when I can. 🙏

[@leelee90s]

I kept giving up on my music because of a constant battle with this just like you at that age.... mines started with a death experience (I watched ghost dad starring bill Cosby and became scared of death at the age of 5 or 6) then when I turned 17 my eyesight changed and my dad died it never went back normal afterwards. Couldn't find a name to describe it or explain it properly to anyone to receive help until last year I found a group on fb as well.. I related so much to your story thank you

[@divaricca]

I have the chills! It's like I am listening to myself, everything you experienced, how it started, how I handle you handle it.. is so similar to my experience! Thank You ❤️

[@rhamonmedinha2521]

Hi Ricca,, I have suffered from this for several years in the past,, and the last couple of days it returned , I just don't want to feel this way anymore

[@rhamonmedinha2521]

Any recommendations

[@divaricca]

@@rhamonmedinha2521 I've come to accept it, so when that 'strange feeling' comes up; I say to myself ok, bitch.. 'it's back, my overprotective filter..' i don't let it go through me like waves, and confirm that i've been through it before... and that this is just my brain's way of coping with the overwhelming reality... some take drugs for this, go fasting or do years of meditation to experience this. I keep doing my 'normal' things, I do my part-time job in sales (it's really distracting), I go out with friends (unless I'm overstimulated) then I listen to audiobooks or read... I'm often creative .. I recently started taking vitamin D... I move more, I notice that if I overstimulate myself too many days in a row after work with socialization or busy places and exhaust myself that 'strange feeling' comes back.. oh yeah, call dp-dr something else, something banal like 'weird feeling', by confirming every time you have DP-DR, it seems like there's something wrong with you... there's nothing wrong with you! ❤️

[@neelsharma3]

I had it for 3 months it went away slowly faded away. Keep strong and do task that will distract you from thinking about it. i hope you make it out okay. I know it sucks

[@bribri8589]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve been dealing with dpdr for over half my life and I am so ready to get rid of it. The thing that holds me back is the fear. Like you said everyday when I wake up and it’s still there makes me feel discouraged, but I know what I have to do. I will keep fighting! Stay hopeful everyone 🙏🏼

[@anxiety_fitness]

How did it go?!

[@TaquitoDeAsada]

May God (whoever or whatever you believe in) bless you. Thanks for your videos and for having the guts to freely share something that for many is deeply personal.

[@CrackerzYT]

Thank you very much , you helped me aloooot This feeling just started 3 years ago and I didn't find a specific illness that matches what I feel everyday , but I fought it and I felt normal once again for a whole year , but it came back this month and I'm curing right now especially I'm calm now that the illness is not dangerous and I'm not alooone😂😂

[@himym1219]

Thank you for sharing! I'm in year 3 now, I have learned to live with it but it's still scary some times and I now I'm depressed too... But I still have hope for better times.

[@anxiety_fitness]

Wishing you all the best!

[@vanessatapia8054]

How are you now?

[@katiemarie7468]

In my experience with DPDR, I used to have it often before going to bed at night and often said to myself "I'm not real". Back then I wasn't really afraid of it, but intrigued by it and a little weirded out by it. But sometimes I could trigger myself to go into an episode and snap myself back out of it if I tried hard enough. Our brains are so powerful!! Now I know there's a name for it and it's associated with my Generalized Anxiety Disorder. And now when it happens, the initial onset scares me, but then I force myself to take a few deep breaths, and then just do some "normal" tasks (taking shower, brushing teeth, making bed, cleaning, etc) and I don't focus on the feeling. After a little bit the feeling goes away for me. I was shocked to hear that these episodes can last for months!

[@asee818]

Keep yourself busy

[@isabelleg-landry1054]

Thank you so much, i really thoughts i was sick! I did every scan and medical test ... 3 years like this,24/7... i lost hope! Thank you

[@anxiety_fitness]

You're not alone, things will be okay!

[@maryp8819]

Goodnesss. Having a very emotional day, just tired of dpdr… tired of feeling alone & scared in my mind. Was led here from tiktok. All I can say is thank you for breaking this down. Reminds me of the phrase “name it to tame it” you know ? I appreciate you. Just like most things with anxiety - invite it in. Great video!

[@brycea3144]

Hey can we talk

[@elmaxlife]

I have been in a frontal car accident, no injuries, one month after at gym my whole left arm went numb but I did all the exams to rule out any brain/heart problem. Ever since I have chronic anxiety with fatigue, sometimes feeling of unreality like you describe, dizziness when walking, shortness of breath, left side of my head feeling of numbness(not a real numbness, I can still feel and move my face lol) and my forehead is often tight. Anyway I recently did the last health exam I wanted to do to be reassured that I have no underlying conditions and I'm looking forward getting better. I believe respecting the basic rules for a good sleep and limitating screens will certainly help a lot of people. Reduce social media, stop por.ngraphy as it messes with dopamine too. Good luck to everyone and never surrender, life is good ❤

[@Joshow313]

I’m only halfway through the video and it’s super relatable. I first noticed this feeling when I was 15. It happened while in class; my teachers voice and the room started to become cloudy. I had to pinch myself to “wake” myself up. I felt like I was a floating head leaving my body behind. Then it went away for years until maybe 5 years ago. I believe it restarted when I had a bad fall. The feelings returned and became the norm. It was very crippling. I felt like I was unreal, floating, faint, got scared of large open spaces with lots of noise and activities, etc it also stirred up vertigo feelings. I stopped wearing certain shoes because I felt I was going to trip or pass out. I wanted to walk with a cane and wanted to hold onto someone while walking outdoors or through large lobbies. I stopped driving thinking I would depersonalize and crash. The only time I felt more normal was when I was in bed, stable, sitting or laying down. Recently I started to investigate depersonalization/derealization further…it had affected my work and job performance tremendously as I deal with people a lot. The room would start to get cloudy while talking with people one on one! While researching, I came across a video basically saying to invite those feelings. I started inviting it and had my moments of being present and real. It was unbelievable! I can’t wait until all feelings of depersonalization/derealization is gone for good!

[@makhomoovervoorde8988]

2 years later, I am not scared of it anymore. And I can it getting better, I continue to 😊work on the anxiety and life feels better.

[@AT-wp8ri]

You recovered??????

[@midipem]

Thank you man! 🙂

[@Who-rc9qs]

I feel the same way when I was 9. I still remember that it happens when I transfer to a new school. Maybe I feel anxious. I couldn't focus on my study and tell my teacher that I need a break, tell them how I feel and they thought I make up stories. I went to hospital for a check up and the doctor says that it might cause from stress. I have to distract myself everyday. But it always fail. I feel like I lose myself. It's the worst thing ever. It's gone now but it keep on coming back every year ")

[@epicedits3080]

Honestly the best way to describe the shitty feeling, is that you are on a constant switch from everything feeling real and everything feeling fake, and it feels like your in a movie and your acting. It also really sucks because as soon as you switch back to normal you forget what the dissociative feeling feels like until it happens again and it fools you into believing it's worse than the last time.

[@JonnyQ408]

I wish people that never experienced this feeling, would stop telling those of us that have DPDR, “just go to sleep maybe your tired” like sleeping would cure it, sure you wont feel it while you’re asleep, but once you awake up, bam it it hits you as soon as you wake up

[@maxineortiz6123]

I went through this really bad long time ago and it felt so nice to know I wasn’t alone and I knew what it was;,(

[@TmzRlol]

how are you now?!

[@demitrisully5774]

I thought I was going crazy thank you so much!

[@anxiety_fitness]

Not at all!

[@shericlementsmcclosky6267]

This happens to me after the fight or flight.... i go into the freeze part and that's when I disconnect and DPDR comes on. It just puts me into that vicious cycle. Thanks for this video, thank you for wanting to help others.

[@codentags9990]

I considered my self lucky, proud standing even stronger than ever because I got rid of it in 5 months after having it 24/7 with existential obsessions and other intrusive thoughts. Pursuing an authentic and meaningful life by changing my attitude in life and the development of a new personality suited to handle such life was the approach I did.

[@adentran241]

same man! I have DP and existential obsession for 1 month now. Any tips to handle these annoying thoughts? Thank you

[@sussysausage6031]

Thanks man at age of 12 i realize that this thing is part of my life i should accept it until everything feels okay and real.

[@anxiety_fitness]

You're on the right track!

[@RedemptionRsps]

I relapsed. This came to me at 21-22. Now it came back after 8 years worse than before. I have to fight this. I’m taking sertraline and Xanax but I will fight this to thank you and subbed ❤

[@zdravkojovanovic3513]

stop xanax I beg you!!! No benzos, I had to stop and everything gets so much worse

[@mojo2280]

How are you doing ?

[@haydergonzaleztovar2467]

Bro just video is literally taking me out of the state and making me laugh at the anxiety and actually feel that yes is quite exiting the feeling and I’m feeling why is quite normal and I’m forgetting about the huge question quite letting myself go all way on it

[@Meli-1992]

I’m 31 years old and have been dealing with this for 20 years. I have tried to deal with it and pretend like everything is alright but I still feared it. This video made me cry because it gives me hope. Sometimes I feel like I am dead and derealization is trying to make me accept that. It’s been a nightmare having to deal with this on and off but for the last 5 years it has gotten worst to the point where I can’t go to certain places. The derealization puts a lot of tension in my head.

[@Isaiahgamer-wr4iz]

Wait so it doesn't like go away and come back? I have dpdr it just comes and go

[@Meli-1992]

@@Isaiahgamer-wr4iz I have dpdr pretty bad. I don’t remember how it feels not to be in that state of mind. I started seeking a therapist recently that specializes in DRDP and I hope I can eventually take my life back. Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m alive and I feel like my husband is not real and it can be very lonely.

[@Isaiahgamer-wr4iz]

@@Meli-1992 honestly same here

[@Isaiahgamer-wr4iz]

@@Meli-1992 it will trust

[@Meli-1992]

@@Isaiahgamer-wr4iz I hope you find peace. It is terrifying when you start to question your own existence. Not many people understand the amount of strength it takes to continue to live through it.

[@aliicebtch]

Thanks for your video❤️ you said at 10:45 like ”i must have a brain tumour thats making me feel this way”, i’ve had DPDR for like 4 years now, and 2 years ago i actually found out that i do have a brain tumour (a nice one, not cancer) and it gave me epilepsy. So like, can the tumour maybe be the reason for feeling this way? Ive always had anxiety, but im starting to feel like maybe if there’s a possibility that its the tumours fault, then that means i probably never will get out of this nightmare😥

[@mousicos72]

To add, it's worse because you're also the observer of this all unfolding. I now reckon this higher awareness is the same watcher that sets you free too !

[@ESOInTeNsE]

My therapist highly recommended meditation to deal with this panic/anxiety/dissociation loop, which I can see is basically just another route to get to the realization you did. It's about accepting your feelings, and observing them from a non-judgemental perspective.

[@izzyizzy6608]

Y’all have helped me realize what I need to do to get rid of this feeling, first step was talking to people about it, and your comment and the people I spoke to helped me realize why this happened and how to get rid of it. I need to heal my heart. I need to better myself, I want to get rid of this feeling (which I am) but I don’t want to stay at what normal used to be, I truly need to better myself and truly be happy. This summer wasn’t fun and was stressful because I felt pointless, but now I know what I must do to defeat this feeling and more importantly gain control of my life.

[@ESOInTeNsE]

@@izzyizzy6608 Hell yeah man. Things can improve. I've gotten a lot better since I made this comment. Ultimately DPDR is just an anxiety symptom. Do what you can to treat the anxiety, including acceptance, and the DPDR will calm down.

[@4nem3hunnid]

@@ESOInTeNsE hey man got some questions about it wondering if we could talk?

[@ESOInTeNsE]

@@4nem3hunnid What's up?

[@4nem3hunnid]

@@ESOInTeNsE im like two months into this and i just wanna know that it will pass or not

[@dimetrodon2250]

For me it was like this: one day after I took my meds alongside some nighttime cold medicine after not sleeping the day before, I woke up… different. Like I was emotionally detached from all of my interests, my memories of who I was before and more importantly the emotions connected to those memories started to fade. I’ve been through this once before, abd the fear of its return scared me into this cycle even more. I was afraid of losing the person I had become in the last 3 years since I first felt this way (since I had matured and grown so much). The thing that scared me the most is that the new interest I found that first helped to pull me out, was the first thing I noticed that I lost my emotional attachment to, and that was devastating for me. Plus the fact that I didn’t really remember what it was like to recover/how I recovered last time, so it was hard to know if I would “come back the same” this time. All of a sudden, I felt like I couldn’t emotionally connect to anything or anyone. I wasn’t able to intrinsically understand and feel my interests anymore, like why I liked some things but not others. I lost my ability to just sit and daydream/think about stuff that I enjoyed. My opinions and sense of humor were gone, I had bizarre intrusive and existential thoughts/feelings, strange memory flashes/sensations to random points in my life, the sensation that I was turning into a different person, the sensation of becoming emotionally dead and detached, both from the world and myself. The regular human condition suddenly felt foreign and strange, like I couldn’t relate to anyone’s conversations or anything. Real life things that I was previously worried about (money issues, getting sick, doing well at my job, meeting my friends over the summer, being able to have time to do things with my schedule, etc) felt so distant, like they don’t exist. It also feels like I’m missing out on things happening right in front of me, even things that I’m an active participant in. I’m autistic and have ADHD, so those feelings of being connected to my special interests, and relating to the autistic community, are very important to me. Being able to just sit and think is very important to me. Being able to obsess over and be totally engrossed in my interests is very important to me. Without those things I feel like I’m nothing. I’m scared of not being able to recover, or that it’ll keep coming back again and again.

[@Jay-bh8io]

im 16 and i stated realizing i have derealization and im scared. Your videos comfort me and help me alot. I love you

[@Flimmzy]

can you describe it? idk if i have it too

[@Jay-bh8io]

@@Flimmzyit's like this feeling of being in a dream or like almost being dead. It's really hard do describe but you feel like you're going crazy but you're not

[@Itsmoeski]

The head being chopped behind behind yourself is the best analogy

[@hentboy]

Im feeling it now, and i was super scared that i can go insane this way, but after your video i just said '''fine, is it all u can do too scare me''? and i feel it getting a bit better

[@user-ox9dw3ko3j]

Been stuck like this ever since my doctor prescribed me zoloft 12 weeks ago, so scary trying to accept it but its so hard.

[@googler2002]

I am going through this for the second time. This time it is worse for me than the first time other than the first time I had trouble breathing and having panic attacks all the time . But now I’m not getting that anymore but concentration is hard for me now but I will get through it

[@niwtahcardnas9644]

Same. I had it once for a couple of years, it went away for like 5 years and now it's back with a bang. Both times from smoking weed.

[@mustafaae35663]

It happened to me after smoking weed for like a couple of days, and this feeling got into a loop of anxiety thats lasted 24/7, but i got over it after a couple of weeks. Dont worry, i know its hard but it will go away ❤️❤️

[@lukekings6913]

I’m currently going through a bad spell. Had my first one in 2017, which quickly went away. Another one in 2018 which changed my life (I think) and another the same year. Then I went 4 years without a major incident… improving more each year. And now it’s back. I’m really down about it but I’ve built myself back up before. Time to do it again