Posted by Cass on July 3, 1999, at 17:42:09
In reply to Re: CRAIG and everyone please read, posted by Rene' on July 2, 1999, at 23:46:00
> hey, thanks so much for responding so quickly. how often do you get this feeling? It is as I said before constant and has been for a while now. I am almost positive that we are talking about the same feeling, because it is such a distinct feeling, that you would have had to had it to be able to understand what exactly it is that i am refering too. for me it is like my normal feelings of reality are altered, almost like i am high, but i am not. i have only done pot once in my life and this all started after two weeks after i had done it, and had a terrible panic attack during it none the less. if you do not mind me asking, what physical illness do you have, you mentioned it in your post. is it causing you distress as in anxiety or depression? i would love to find a cure for derealization, because it affects more people than you know, for a very long time. one guy that is a friend of mine had had it for 14 years, since he was 12. i pray to God every night that mine goes away soon. i don't ever want to get depressed about this feeling ever again. i have tried to accept it and move on, but sometimes it is hard, ya know? sorry for the long post, but it feels great to get all of this off of my chest. reply soon, i will check this board periodically. thanks again cass (what does that stand for?). Rene'
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Hi Rene',I hope you are doing well. The illness I mentioned is Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosis). I have had the disease since I was in my early teens, along with associated illnesses. Yes, it is depressing because it greatly limits my stamina and causes me a lot of pain; I have to do things little by little and use patience, which is not always easy. I don't know whether or not it is a coincidence that the onset of depression, including feelings of derealizition began around that same time. ( I suppose I am using the term "derealization" loosely, since I don't know whether or not my doctors ever made that diagnosis. I have always found my doctors to be rather closed-mouthed.) My childhood was complicated because of the neglect and abuse. Consequently, nothing was ever diagnosed or treated until I was an adult and could pursue treatment on my own. To answer another of your questions, I have episodes of derealization daily, and I find it extremely embarrassing. I have actually made exuses about prescription drugs causing the symptoms. Even drug abuse seems less stigmatizing and more socially acceptable than the mental issue. Your post has been helpful to me because I am now thinking about this issue in more constructive ways. But I suppose I have as many questions as you do. For instance, was there abuse in your past as well? Does anything in particualar seem to trigger these episodes? Do other people notice them? Please let me know. I hope you have a great 4th of July!
Cass
P.S. Cass is a pseudonym.
poster:Cass
thread:8172
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990628/msgs/8219.html