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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on August 24, 2004, at 19:11:36
I get this horrible feeling that I am trapped inside my head. When I feel good I feel like I am living in the actual phsical world. When I feel crappy I get this feeling like I am trapped inside my head. It is hard to explain but its like I am not my body but trapped in my body. It is a horrible feeling. I think it has to do with my temporal lobes or amygdala or something.
Linkadge
Posted by nicolas on August 24, 2004, at 20:45:01
In reply to Trapped inside head feeling, posted by linkadge on August 24, 2004, at 19:11:36
I've experienced that 'trapped in the head' feeling.
Talk to your doctor about it.
I can only suggest what might sound like 'soft' remedies but they have helped me. I practice Buddhist meditation, focusing on breath and praying for lovingkindness. I have read that some people, in meditation, feel their body become an energy field. This won't happen to begin with but this is a journey worth taking, into self discovery and awareness. I take walks and try to stay mindful, remaining aware of sorroundings and my body. I have conversations with other people and try to stay open and receptive.
I hope you find relief.
Posted by Racer on August 25, 2004, at 2:49:00
In reply to Re: Trapped inside head feeling, posted by nicolas on August 24, 2004, at 20:45:01
Sounds like an adjunct symptom of depression, which I've certainly experienced. Some variety of anxiety, I'd guess.
Here's what I know, though, from my former job which was pretty physical: learning to live in your own skin helps with it more than anything else. It's my way of saying I think there's something to what nicolas said about meditation. I'm from California, so I say meditate if you like -- but honestly, *anything* that teaches you to be more comfortable in your body will help. Weights helped me, just because I learned what each muscle group felt like from inside. On the other hand, part of my trouble comes from hiding everything inside me so much when I was young, so learning to *use* my body was probably helpful as well.
Six of one, half dozen of the other -- yoga, Pilates, meditation, weights, maybe swimming? Whatever works for you will probably be as good as anything else, the important thing is to learn to live in your body. As I recall, you're one o' them young'uns? That's such an advantage for you, you have time on your side and I so much envy you that. This middle aged broad tells you "do it NOW and save yourself a world of hurtin', kiddo" but then, that's only one opinion. (And a whole lot of people told me the same thing when I was younger -- I didn't believe any of them, either.)
Best luck.
Posted by linkadge on August 25, 2004, at 8:08:41
In reply to Re: Trapped inside head feeling, posted by Racer on August 25, 2004, at 2:49:00
But see thats the thing. I have absolutely no problem with my body. We may be thinking something a little different here.
The problem I am having is kind of a strange sensation. When I feel well I feel like I *am* my body, but then this change happens and I feel just like I am at the controlls of a giant video game. It is this strange panicky feeling of not being fully present. Like half my brain is turned on or something.
Linkadge
Posted by crazychickuk on August 25, 2004, at 8:33:16
In reply to Re: Trapped inside head feeling, posted by linkadge on August 25, 2004, at 8:08:41
I completely understand... it is so strange.. When i look in the mirror its like it is me but it isnt.. out of this world.. i am blaming medication for this feeling... i am off al meds now and i feel like its me for onece.. apart from the cinstant anxiety and panick attacks... :-(
Posted by zeugma on August 25, 2004, at 8:42:20
In reply to Re: Trapped inside head feeling, posted by linkadge on August 25, 2004, at 8:08:41
> But see thats the thing. I have absolutely no problem with my body. We may be thinking something a little different here.
>
> The problem I am having is kind of a strange sensation. When I feel well I feel like I *am* my body, but then this change happens and I feel just like I am at the controlls of a giant video game. It is this strange panicky feeling of not being fully present. Like half my brain is turned on or something.
>
>
> Linkadge>>it sounds like it could be depersonalization= a feeling of being disconnected from your body. I was diagnosed with DP in college (one of my endless series of diagnoses) and I constantly have that 'half my brain is off' feeling. What is strange is that you had adverse reactions to stimulants. I have found that stimulants, and especially Provigil, help this for some reason. I suppose in my case it's ultimately due to ADHD.
-z
Posted by Racer on August 25, 2004, at 12:51:47
In reply to Re: Trapped inside head feeling, posted by linkadge on August 25, 2004, at 8:08:41
> But see thats the thing. I have absolutely no problem with my body. We may be thinking something a little different here.
>
> The problem I am having is kind of a strange sensation. When I feel well I feel like I *am* my body, but then this change happens and I feel just like I am at the controlls of a giant video game. It is this strange panicky feeling of not being fully present. Like half my brain is turned on or something.
>
>
> LinkadgeBelieve it or not, that really and truly *does* sound pretty much exactly like what I was talking about. (Warning: total insomnia, that speedy thing happenin', anxious, agitated, etc -- communication is not likely to be my strong suit today? Just a head's up, since I still can't convince myself not to try to explain...)
I think, for me at least, that when I was 'well', I was able to inhabit my body better, but when the depression cycle would start, that would trigger -- whaddaya wanna call it? Let's make it snappy, eh? Howzabout VideoGameControlPanel Disorder, on accounta I liked that description a lot? Anyway, the cycle would trigger this sort of internal withdrawal that I experienced and think is at least very close blood kin to what you're describing. Yes, it's a feeling of being de-personalized, but I'm very suspicious of diagnoses -- I'd rather hear what to do to help than just give it a name, you know? If I don't know it's a cobra, it's venom can still kill me, right?
Linkadge, I know it probably doesn't sound likely to you, but whether or not we're talking about the same sort of thing at all, I truly believe that some sort of physical activity that might help anchor you in your body more probably isn't going to hurt. There are yoga shows on all the Public TV stations down here -- trying it for a week or two would be free, right?
Whatever happens, I wish you the best.
Posted by linkadge on August 25, 2004, at 13:17:49
In reply to Re: Trapped inside head feeling, posted by zeugma on August 25, 2004, at 8:42:20
I reacted fine to ritalin, but dexedrine was too much.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on August 25, 2004, at 13:19:59
In reply to Your mileage is likely to vary, but... » linkadge, posted by Racer on August 25, 2004, at 12:51:47
I do exercise every day for about an hour, running. At the end my mood is lifted and I feel much more in control of my body. But it only lasts a few hours and then I sink again.
Linkadge
Posted by Racer on August 25, 2004, at 14:36:12
In reply to Re: Your mileage is likely to vary, but..., posted by linkadge on August 25, 2004, at 13:19:59
Best I can guess, is that the aerobic benefit is there -- but it's really the isolation of muscle groups or something that seemed to help me when I went through that sort of feeling? All I can tell you is this: I felt something that sounds like what you're describing until I started lifting weights; even though I stopped the weights years back, the benefit still seems to be there for me; and, while I'd love to say that I never feel that way ever anymore -- that'd be a lie. I do still get that feeling now and again.
What I can tell you, though, is that it's really and truly never been as bad since those days. I *think* that's largely because I had to learn to control individual parts of my body better. Now, when I start to feel that feeling coming on, I can -- dunno how to describe this -- *change* it, somehow? Head it off at the pass? Whatever I do, it does help me. Partly breathing, partly posture -- honestly, I think it's partly age, too. I think a lot of it is as simple as 'lots of stuff just doesn't seem that important anymore?'
At any rate, I do hope that something someone writes here will help you feel better -- even if it's not me. :^)
Posted by sgoose on August 26, 2004, at 15:29:39
In reply to Re: Your mileage is likely to vary, but..., posted by Racer on August 25, 2004, at 14:36:12
or depersonalization, whatever they call it. I have this problem when I am experiencing intense bouts of depression and/or anxiety. the only thing that has really helped me get away from the many shades of being "stuck inside my head" is the Klonopin. also, while not suggesting that anyone try this because it is likely to be different for you: I was very depressed and drawn into my head one night and happened to smoke some very strong marijuana. Suddenly I felt my mind connected to my body and in control of all parts of my body just as in my mind but just like you said, the side effect was panic that I had breathe my way through and just tough out. The experience gave me the idea that I was feeling like a "normal" person except for the panic aspect. i am still constantly feeling at least a slight level of detachment from the world and people around me.. with 2mg klonopin and 20mg adderall xr + 10mg dexedrine daily. I think the stims can make the problem worse at times.
so hard to figure it all out.....
Posted by linkadge on August 28, 2004, at 15:19:41
In reply to been there, here's my take, posted by sgoose on August 26, 2004, at 15:29:39
Thats why I think it is a temporal lobe / or kindling thing. When I take an anticonvulsant then Boom!, I am back inside my body.
Linkadge
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