Dissociation/depersonalization

[Bateau ivre]

Can anyone who suffers (or otherwise know about them) from these symptoms tell me about them and how they cope with them personally?

[limestone]

for depersonalization: say to yourself 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell and 1 thing you can taste. that really helps. also saying your name, age, address, today's date, who you live with, what job/school you go to, where you're going/what you're doing right now - can also help.

[VowsOfSadness]

The things that limestone said are good. Personally the symptoms for me are that I feel like I am watching a movie from outside myself, I feel like things aren't real like when I am in a croweded hallway at scholl (it happens alot there) I feel as though I could walk right through people, as if nothing were real. Also I remmeber that people will talk to me, and I will stare at them, moments later I think, "man they are talking to ME, they can see me, They think I'm here." sometimes I feel liek I am a person sitting inside a person.

[mallie]

I'm actually stuck in a place where I'm feeling pretty cut off from things at the moment, and am yet to find anything that can get through it [but this is not quite the same as full dissociation, just a disconnection]

Apart from the suggestion that limestone gave (which is a really good one when things feel really unreal), there are some more ideas on grounding in Laura's Scarily VAST list of coping strategies. It is a wonderful list, all subdivided. Just click on Grounding at the top and it'll pop you down to that section

Personally, I find talking to people (IRL) can help. Being able to see, hear, and have physical comfort from them can be a big help.

Hope you find solutions that suit you.

[beachgirl]

I found this thread when I went looking for things to help me feel more grounded. There is some comfort to know that others are doing the same thing, although I really wish none of us were.

Mallie - I think I am feeling sort of like you describe. Disconnected from the world, almost as if I am numb and can see everything but not feel it. It is most uncomfortable and I find that I can do very little when I am feeling like this. I feel so tired and sleepy with this - but I tend to sleep as a way to escape life, so that might be why.

The worst part (as you might be able to tell from reading this) is how incoherent my thoughts seem. I can almost see the words swirling around me, but none of them want to stick together into anything that makes sense. And last night, it got worse until I felt very little and scared.

If you find anything that works, will you let me know?
Susie