Anybody feel...you're living in a dream...?

Page 1 of 2 [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

hazeyu
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 4 Mar 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Posts: 8
Location: British Columbia

29 May 2017, 1:15 pm

This has been following me for as long as I can remember, and it's very weird for me to try and describe, simply because it feels like I'm in a dream. Exactly like one of those vivid dreams where you know you're dreaming and can feel touch and fear and emotions....
It seems to happen at random (?) times and can last anywhere from a few minutes to days.
My last episode has lasted about 6 days, and is still going. But it somehow feels different than normal. Stronger, I guess. It's almost been giving me the same feeling that motion sickness would give somebody. More fluttery stomach (close to nausea but no feelings of throwing up), really airy feeling in my head, and, weirdly, everything looks fake...like a painting almost. And it takes me a little longer to actually hear what somebody has said when these episodes happen.
Who else feels these? Has anybody received an answer, or possible answer, as to why it could be happening? Really, any information on this would be pretty cool. Thanks!



kicker
Velociraptor
Velociraptor

User avatar

Joined: 10 Oct 2013
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 467
Location: Atalnta, Ga

29 May 2017, 2:25 pm

It's referred to as Derealization. It can occur for a variety of reasons including substance abuse, lack of sleep, and traumatic emotional or physical events (referred to as part of shock when physical trauma such as a broken leg/ car accident). It is recommended that if you are experiencing this (and not in shock) that you seek out a therapist or psychologist/psychiatrist to be evaluated as it may be a sign of a greater disorder such as dissociative disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorder, acute stress disorder, or a medical problem.



hazeyu
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 4 Mar 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Posts: 8
Location: British Columbia

29 May 2017, 2:52 pm

I talked to a counselor (who said I have Asperger's) a few years back and she kind of passed it by as something....I don't want to say 'not real', but she didn't seem to see it as a problem and left it at that. I don't do well with talking to doctors or therapists as my experiences with them haven't been the greatest.
Could this be a something that just comes along with Asperger's? I was wrongly diagnosed with border personality disorder and schizophrenia about 9 years ago now and bi polar disorder about 8 years ago and I heard that doctors usually confused Asperger's with schizophrenia.
I didn't think they could've been related but my rat died about 1.5 weeks ago and she was my love, it hit me hard. This started a few days after, that's why I didn't even think of them being related.
I've struggled with depression for a large chunk of my life, but I do remember these episodes happening when I was and wasn't depressed, so that makes me curious



Raleigh
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 7 Jul 2014
Age: 124
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 34,563
Location: Out of my mind

29 May 2017, 3:17 pm

That's my shutdown from reality.
I enter a waking dream state where I see, hear and feel nothing around me.
It's like I'm sleepwalking.


_________________
It's like I'm sleepwalking


kicker
Velociraptor
Velociraptor

User avatar

Joined: 10 Oct 2013
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 467
Location: Atalnta, Ga

29 May 2017, 3:22 pm

hazeyu wrote:
I talked to a counselor (who said I have Asperger's) a few years back and she kind of passed it by as something....I don't want to say 'not real', but she didn't seem to see it as a problem and left it at that. I don't do well with talking to doctors or therapists as my experiences with them haven't been the greatest.
Could this be a something that just comes along with Asperger's? I was wrongly diagnosed with border personality disorder and schizophrenia about 9 years ago now and bi polar disorder about 8 years ago and I heard that doctors usually confused Asperger's with schizophrenia.
I didn't think they could've been related but my rat died about 1.5 weeks ago and she was my love, it hit me hard. This started a few days after, that's why I didn't even think of them being related.
I've struggled with depression for a large chunk of my life, but I do remember these episodes happening when I was and wasn't depressed, so that makes me curious



What I hear/read you saying is you'd rather it be autism related and any answer that isn't as such can be explained away as deniable due to something/someone else. Is that accurate?



hazeyu
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 4 Mar 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Posts: 8
Location: British Columbia

29 May 2017, 3:35 pm

Of course I'd like to think it to be more autism related than the thought of the 'misdiagnosis' of schizophrenia or something else coming back up, as I'm sure most would. But I haven't tried to deny other reasons so I'm not sure what you mean? I'm just not sure I understand where you got from my message that I was denying any other answer, unless it dealt with autism? I only mentioned about a wrong misdiagnosis, and a couple life things that popped up, to get a better grip on why it could happen. I'm completely open to other reasons, as I don't think I haven't shown, but I think the info was mixed up. I only wondered if it could come along with Asperger's, not that that was the only answer I would take



FreakyZettairyouiki
Pileated woodpecker
Pileated woodpecker

User avatar

Joined: 15 Jan 2017
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Posts: 180

29 May 2017, 3:57 pm

I never knew Asperger's could be confused for schizophrenia. The symptoms didn't seem remotely close at all. It's not like ADD/ADHD where the symptoms overlap. I know for a fact I don't have it though. Aside from that, I feel the same way. Even a few hours ago I was walking to the fridge and this might sound crazy and be unique to me, but everything just went black and blurry as if I was in a movie. I think it was due to me being hungry but I have the same eating patterns as well and this is not a regular occurence. I have even told myself verbatim that this is all dream to cope with my depression and anxiety. I've had the most realistic dreams too. Once I thought I was dead and looking at my own funeral. Everything seemed so physically real. Then last night I thought I was dating someone. It seemed so real, too real even. When life makes you go wtf? :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:


_________________
~Been a bad girl, I know I am
And I’m so hot I need a fan
I don’t want a boy I need a man



hazeyu
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 4 Mar 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Posts: 8
Location: British Columbia

29 May 2017, 4:11 pm

See like I don't know for a fact, that's just what I had heard. People said they got diagnosed with schizophrenia before autism but again, just what I was told.
Like your whole world goes black sometimes? Like disoriented, lose balance, etc? I have that too but never thought they could be related. That's really interesting



leejosepho
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 9,011
Location: 200 miles south of Little Rock

29 May 2017, 4:26 pm

kicker wrote:
It's referred to as Derealization...may be a sign of a greater disorder such as dissociative disorder...

I do not experience it to the extremes mentioned in this thread, but that is my own deal. Vivid dreams are not uncommon, and sometimes it is a bit challenging to find my way all the way back into reality after having them...and I do not hold my AS/HFA accountable for any of that.


_________________
I began looking for someone like me when I was five ...
My search ended at 59 ... right here on WrongPlanet.
==================================


kicker
Velociraptor
Velociraptor

User avatar

Joined: 10 Oct 2013
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 467
Location: Atalnta, Ga

29 May 2017, 4:46 pm

hazeyu wrote:
Of course I'd like to think it to be more autism related than the thought of the 'misdiagnosis' of schizophrenia or something else coming back up, as I'm sure most would. But I haven't tried to deny other reasons so I'm not sure what you mean? I'm just not sure I understand where you got from my message that I was denying any other answer, unless it dealt with autism? I only mentioned about a wrong misdiagnosis, and a couple life things that popped up, to get a better grip on why it could happen. I'm completely open to other reasons, as I don't think I haven't shown, but I think the info was mixed up. I only wondered if it could come along with Asperger's, not that that was the only answer I would take


Thanks for clarifying. Derealization is not a symptom of autism. Nor do I believe autism can cause it. Derealization happens as a coping mechanism when other coping skills are unable to handle the onslaught of strong emotions. The fact that you experience these often and for extended periods by your own admission points to a greater cause. Again seeking professional help since this is troublesome for you; as demonstrated by you seeking an answer, is the solution to help you get a handle on it so they become less frequent and severe. Doing nothing means it will only get more troublesome.



hazeyu
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 4 Mar 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Posts: 8
Location: British Columbia

29 May 2017, 4:49 pm

Okay, I've just heard the two usually go hand in hand, that's why I was wondering. I'll try going to a new doctor and get an opinion



shortfatbalduglyman
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 4 Mar 2017
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 10,314

29 May 2017, 8:53 pm

unreal
surreal
dissociated
detached

in september 2010, got into a car crash. for one week afterward, felt that way.



EzraS
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Sep 2013
Gender: Male
Posts: 27,828
Location: Twin Peaks

29 May 2017, 9:24 pm

Sometimes I experience acute dereaization or depersonalization and it's usually a frightening sensation.

But in general most of the time it feels like I'm in "the Matrix". I read someone describe the way they view life as like watching television. The channels switch, but it's all just television. And I can totally relate to that.

Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream,
Merrily merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.



hazeyu
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 4 Mar 2017
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Posts: 8
Location: British Columbia

29 May 2017, 9:26 pm

That's actually a neat way of looking at it. I've never thought of it that way but I can relate also



Autopilot
Butterfly
Butterfly

Joined: 15 May 2017
Gender: Female
Posts: 12

29 May 2017, 11:53 pm

I do this all the time/a lot, especially when my anxiety is bad. I have no clue how to stop it. I used to think I was in a constant panic attack and that's what it was, but I don't think that's the case. It is very scary though. My anxiety has been very bad lately so I've been feeling that way almost constantly.



MagicMeerkat
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 11 Jun 2011
Age: 37
Gender: Female
Posts: 2,964
Location: Mel's Hole

30 May 2017, 11:29 am

When I was a kid...yes. I had such vivid dreams I was often confused where the real word started and the dream world began. Sometimes I would wonder if waking life was the dream and the dream was the real world.


_________________
Spell meerkat with a C, and I will bite you.