Depression Learning

Depersonalization or symptom of depression?

Question:

, | I do excercise almost daily and do relaxation techniques.  I havent found | them to help completely but they do relax me.  I am pretty much in this | state most of the time but the sensation hieghtens when I am in a stressful | situation. | | Xanman

I understand exactly what you mean. I talked with my pdoc about it and he prescribed Risperdal, a neuroleptic, 1mg daily. This took care of the problem almost immediately. I don’t have problems with Depersonalization or Derealization anymore. I feel grounded, still depressed and anxious, but grounded. : ) A couple of times I tried going of the Risperdal and the DP and DR returned very quickly. Talk with your Pdoc about this med. Many of the Pdocs use Risperdal for this problem. It will change your life, literally. I can’t think of any side effects, either. I’ve been on it for over 3 years now. Hope this helps in some way.Feel free to e-mail me if you want to talk more about it. Regards, JaneB

Response:

I’m kinda like you I guess…I think most of my life was a movie…but anyway what is starting to work for me is get meds established so that you can operate without freaking all the time and then get some good therapy.  I think for the depers therapy is the best thing (but wouldn’t work with out the meds). -Mike

| I do excercise almost daily and do relaxation techniques.  I havent found | them to help completely but they do relax me.  I am pretty much in this | state most of the time but the sensation hieghtens when I am in a stressful | situation. | | Xanman | |

| I know exactly how you feel. I tried to explain it to my father (who has | PD) and he didn’t understand this being in a movie feeling. Anyway I | used to get it occasionally when I was under stress, or depressed. But I | will say that I lived with it for a week straight when I quit Klonopin. | A shrink said that it was all in my head (obviously-it is!). But the | good news was that it went away after a week. As unpleasant as it | sounds, I recommend some vigorous exercise. Also any type of | meditation/relaxation will probably help. Are you getting any reprieve | from it or is it continuing non-stop? Either way I’d find comfort in | knowing that it will go away soon.Take it easy. | | -Joe | | | | | | | | | | I have a feeling most of the time that feels like I am going through | the | motions and I am alive but feel like I am in a movie or in a dream. | My | reality remains in check (i.e. I can communicate, and function to the | point | no one else can see there is a problem).  The problem is I feel that I | am on | the borderline of reality…like I could slip into a state of being | blacked | out at times.  Sometimes I find myself sitting almost catatonic like. | Kinda | like being in a stare.  I have had these feelings to some extent all | my life | but recently they put me out of work.  I am diagnosed with Anxiety and | Major | Depression.  I kept telling them that I was having | ‘depersonalization’. | They told me it wasnt possible.  I am trying desperatly to find | someone that | can relate to these feelings and hopefully find some sort of way to | deal | with them.  I am on Xanax and Prozac right now and NO I am not screwed | up on | these drugs.  I have had these feelings way before I started taking | them. | Can anybody help?  My therapist and pdocs dont seem to know what to | do. | | Xanman | | Desperation….the lowest form of begging | | — | A little insanity in a sane wolf. | | | | | Share what you know. Learn what you don’t. | |

Response:

        xanman,         i wish i knew what to do about these feelings but i don’t – i have them too. i know exactly what you mean and could never have put those feelings into words as describingly as you can! it’s such a weird feeling when you can’t quite grasp hold of reality. it’s also called derealization. with me it was celexa that put me out of that mode and back ‘in touch’ with reality and back ‘into myself’. when the anxiety subsided, so did feelings of depersonalisation and derealization. i’m amazed your pdoc doesn’t understand what you’re talking about, this is a very common symptom associated with GAD and PD. i found vigorous exercise helpful at times.         love and light,         hannele. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a feeling most of the time that feels like I am going through the motions and I am alive but feel like I am in a movie or in a dream.  My reality remains in check (i.e. I can communicate, and function to the point no one else can see there is a problem).  The problem is I feel that I am on the borderline of reality…like I could slip into a state of being blacked out at times.  Sometimes I find myself sitting almost catatonic like.  Kinda like being in a stare.  I have had these feelings to some extent all my life but recently they put me out of work.  I am diagnosed with Anxiety and Major Depression.  I kept telling them that I was having ‘depersonalization’. They told me it wasnt possible.  I am trying desperatly to find someone that can relate to these feelings and hopefully find some sort of way to deal with them.  I am on Xanax and Prozac right now and NO I am not screwed up on these drugs.  I have had these feelings way before I started taking them. Can anybody help?  My therapist and pdocs dont seem to know what to do. Xanman Desperation….the lowest form of begging — A little insanity in a sane wolf.

Response:

I do excercise almost daily and do relaxation techniques.  I havent found them to help completely but they do relax me.  I am pretty much in this state most of the time but the sensation hieghtens when I am in a stressful situation. Xanman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know exactly how you feel. I tried to explain it to my father (who has PD) and he didn’t understand this being in a movie feeling. Anyway I used to get it occasionally when I was under stress, or depressed. But I will say that I lived with it for a week straight when I quit Klonopin. A shrink said that it was all in my head (obviously-it is!). But the good news was that it went away after a week. As unpleasant as it sounds, I recommend some vigorous exercise. Also any type of meditation/relaxation will probably help. Are you getting any reprieve from it or is it continuing non-stop? Either way I’d find comfort in knowing that it will go away soon.Take it easy. -Joe I have a feeling most of the time that feels like I am going through the motions and I am alive but feel like I am in a movie or in a dream. My reality remains in check (i.e. I can communicate, and function to the point no one else can see there is a problem).  The problem is I feel that I am on the borderline of reality…like I could slip into a state of being blacked out at times.  Sometimes I find myself sitting almost catatonic like. Kinda like being in a stare.  I have had these feelings to some extent all my life but recently they put me out of work.  I am diagnosed with Anxiety and Major Depression.  I kept telling them that I was having ‘depersonalization’. They told me it wasnt possible.  I am trying desperatly to find someone that can relate to these feelings and hopefully find some sort of way to deal with them.  I am on Xanax and Prozac right now and NO I am not screwed up on these drugs.  I have had these feelings way before I started taking them. Can anybody help?  My therapist and pdocs dont seem to know what to do. Xanman Desperation….the lowest form of begging — A little insanity in a sane wolf. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – have a feeling most of the time that feels like I am going through the motions and I am alive but feel like I am in a movie or in a dream.  My reality remains in check (i.e. I can communicate, and function to the point no one else can see there is a problem).  The problem is I feel that I am on the borderline of reality…like I could slip into a state of being blacked out at times.  Sometimes I find myself sitting almost catatonic like.  Kinda like being in a stare.  I have had these feelings to some extent all my life but recently they put me out of work.  I am diagnosed with Anxiety and Major Depression.  I kept telling them that I was having ‘depersonalization’. They told me it wasnt possible.  I am trying desperatly to find someone that can relate to these feelings and hopefully find some sort of way to deal with them.  I am on Xanax and Prozac right now and NO I am not screwed up on these drugs.  I have had these feelings way before I started taking them. Can anybody help?  My therapist and pdocs dont seem to know what to do. Xanman Desperation….the lowest form of begging — A little insanity in a sane wolf.

I have had problems with both Depersonalization and DeRealization to a severe degree. I am diagnosed with PD, Dysthymia, and Recurring Major Depression. My pdoc knew exactly what I was talking about, a feeling of detachment from one’s self, or a feeling that things are not real, as if you are watching a movie. My pdoc prescribed the neuroleptic Risperdal 1 mg per day. That took care of the problem very quickly. I’ve bee on it for three years. If I could only choose one med out of the Risperdal, Klonopin, or Nardil, it would be the Risperdal. Without the med, and the severe problems with DP and DR, I cannot function. DP and DR are not uncommon with Depression. Find a pdoc that specializes in Depression and s/he will be familiar with what you are describing and won’t hesitate to prescribe the Risperdal. I understand exactly how you are feeling. Find the right pdoc ASAP that can and will help you with this problem. JaneB

Response:

 Xanaxman, Sounds like depersonalization, and this is very common in anxiety disorders, as well as lots of other psych disorders. You’re not psychotic, and you won’t lose your mind. But it is a scary feeling, and I get it from time to time, especially when I have increased anxiety/depression. Sometimes I look at my arms and it looks as if they belong to someone else. Not me. Did this depersonalization change in any way after you went on meds? Sometimes, if I take .25 mg or .50 mg of Xanax, the feeling goes away. By the way, if your feelings of depersonalization are due to some other disorder (i.e. PD, depression, etc, etc) you don’t call it "Depersonalization Disorder". Take care, Chip Depersonalization or symptom of depression?   I have a feeling most of the time that feels like I am going through the motions and I am alive but feel like I am in a movie or in a dream. My reality remains in check (i.e. I can communicate, and function to the point no one else can see there is a problem). The problem is I feel that I am on the borderline of reality…like I could slip into a state of being blacked out at times. Sometimes I find myself sitting almost catatonic like. Kinda like being in a stare. I have had these feelings to some extent all my life but recently they put me out of work. I am diagnosed with Anxiety and Major Depression. I kept telling them that I was having ‘depersonalization’. They told me it wasnt possible. I am trying desperatly to find someone that can relate to these feelings and hopefully find some sort of way to deal with them. I am on Xanax and Prozac right now and NO I am not screwed up on these drugs. I have had these feelings way before I started taking them. Can anybody help? My therapist and pdocs dont seem to know what to do. Xanman Desperation….the lowest form of begging — A little insanity in a sane wolf.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a feeling most of the time that feels like I am going through the motions and I am alive but feel like I am in a movie or in a dream.  My reality remains in check (i.e. I can communicate, and function to the point no one else can see there is a problem).  The problem is I feel that I am on the borderline of reality…like I could slip into a state of being blacked out at times.  Sometimes I find myself sitting almost catatonic like.  Kinda like being in a stare.  I have had these feelings to some extent all my life but recently they put me out of work.  I am diagnosed with Anxiety and Major Depression.  I kept telling them that I was having ‘depersonalization’. They told me it wasnt possible.  I am trying desperatly to find someone that can relate to these feelings and hopefully find some sort of way to deal with them.  I am on Xanax and Prozac right now and NO I am not screwed up on these drugs.  I have had these feelings way before I started taking them. Can anybody help?  My therapist and pdocs dont seem to know what to do. Xanman

Depersonalization and its twin derealization are *very common* anxiety symptoms. That your pdoc and therapist don’t recognize this means that you’d better find other ones asap. Dep/der does occur sometimes without anxiety which has led some to believe it is or can be a separate disorder but it is very often present in (or comorbid with, if you will) PD. I find a benzo helps me. Here are two URL’s (the first site has a *discussion board*): http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~nogin/indexx.htm http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/7360/Depersonalization_Disord… Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I have a feeling most of the time that feels like I am going through the motions and I am alive but feel like I am in a movie or in a dream.  My reality remains in check (i.e. I can communicate, and function to the point no one else can see there is a problem).  The problem is I feel that I am on the borderline of reality…like I could slip into a state of being blacked out at times.  Sometimes I find myself sitting almost catatonic like.  Kinda like being in a stare.  I have had these feelings to some extent all my life but recently they put me out of work.  I am diagnosed with Anxiety and Major Depression.  I kept telling them that I was having ‘depersonalization’. They told me it wasnt possible.  I am trying desperatly to find someone that can relate to these feelings and hopefully find some sort of way to deal with them.  I am on Xanax and Prozac right now and NO I am not screwed up on these drugs.  I have had these feelings way before I started taking them. Can anybody help?  My therapist and pdocs dont seem to know what to do. Xanman Desperation….the lowest form of begging — A little insanity in a sane wolf.

Response:

HI, Xanman.  I had that feeling before, too, one time when I was under tremendous stress.  I had found out I needed a surgery on a Thursday and it was scheduled for the following Tuesday. I had a major family event to attend over the weekend and I felt like I was going through the motions-everyone thought I looked like I was having a good time-I was in another dimension.   I don’t know if this is helpful, but you are not alone in that feeling.  (my cousin who is a doctor described it as being "detached") Ellen

Response:

I know exactly how you feel. I tried to explain it to my father (who has PD) and he didn’t understand this being in a movie feeling. Anyway I used to get it occasionally when I was under stress, or depressed. But I will say that I lived with it for a week straight when I quit Klonopin. A shrink said that it was all in my head (obviously-it is!). But the good news was that it went away after a week. As unpleasant as it sounds, I recommend some vigorous exercise. Also any type of meditation/relaxation will probably help. Are you getting any reprieve from it or is it continuing non-stop? Either way I’d find comfort in knowing that it will go away soon.Take it easy. -Joe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a feeling most of the time that feels like I am going through the motions and I am alive but feel like I am in a movie or in a dream. My reality remains in check (i.e. I can communicate, and function to the point no one else can see there is a problem).  The problem is I feel that I am on the borderline of reality…like I could slip into a state of being blacked out at times.  Sometimes I find myself sitting almost catatonic like. Kinda like being in a stare.  I have had these feelings to some extent all my life but recently they put me out of work.  I am diagnosed with Anxiety and Major Depression.  I kept telling them that I was having

‘depersonalization’. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They told me it wasnt possible.  I am trying desperatly to find someone that can relate to these feelings and hopefully find some sort of way to deal with them.  I am on Xanax and Prozac right now and NO I am not screwed up on these drugs.  I have had these feelings way before I started taking them. Can anybody help?  My therapist and pdocs dont seem to know what to do. Xanman Desperation….the lowest form of begging — A little insanity in a sane wolf.

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

I have taken both Risperdal and Zyprexa.  I couldnt take the Risperdal because of the side effects.  It is possible I didnt give it enough time. Although I could take the Zyprexa I dont think I took enough of it or took it long enough to tell a difference.  I see my pdoc on the 23rd…a new pdoc I might add.  So we shall see what happens.  Thanks for responding. Xanman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – have a feeling most of the time that feels like I am going through the motions and I am alive but feel like I am in a movie or in a dream.  My reality remains in check (i.e. I can communicate, and function to the point no one else can see there is a problem).  The problem is I feel that I am on the borderline of reality…like I could slip into a state of being blacked out at times.  Sometimes I find myself sitting almost catatonic like. Kinda like being in a stare.  I have had these feelings to some extent all my life but recently they put me out of work.  I am diagnosed with Anxiety and Major Depression.  I kept telling them that I was having ‘depersonalization’. They told me it wasnt possible.  I am trying desperatly to find someone that can relate to these feelings and hopefully find some sort of way to deal with them.  I am on Xanax and Prozac right now and NO I am not screwed up on these drugs.  I have had these feelings way before I started taking them. Can anybody help?  My therapist and pdocs dont seem to know what to do. Xanman Desperation….the lowest form of begging — A little insanity in a sane wolf. I have had problems with both Depersonalization and DeRealization to a severe degree. I am diagnosed with PD, Dysthymia, and Recurring Major Depression. My pdoc knew exactly what I was talking about, a feeling of detachment from one’s self, or a feeling that things are not real, as if you are watching a movie. My pdoc prescribed the neuroleptic Risperdal 1 mg per day. That took care of the problem very quickly. I’ve bee on it for three years. If I could only choose one med out of the Risperdal, Klonopin, or Nardil, it would be the Risperdal. Without the med, and the severe problems with DP and DR, I cannot function. DP and DR are not uncommon with Depression. Find a pdoc that specializes in Depression and s/he will be familiar with what you are describing and won’t hesitate to prescribe the Risperdal. I understand exactly how you are feeling. Find the right pdoc ASAP that can and will help you with this problem. JaneB

Response:

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