Hey lost.
The only thing I can say somewhat alleviates the feeling of nonexistence is spontaneity. What I mean is, try to lose yourself in the present as much as you can. For me, this primarily consists of talking with my friends, playing video games, going on my phone, listening to music, etc. For some reason talking to or even being in the mere presence of my parents makes my DP so much worse, I haven't figured out why, I wonder if you can relate?
I know you didn't ask for this, but I am kind of intrigued by the reason why I think my advice works at least for me. I think that before DP, one isn't hyper aware or even aware at all of their existence. They don't perceive themselves as a distinct entity operating a person that interacts with the physical world. Rather, without DP, one is only aware of the experience of reality itself; they are not aware that they are a person experiencing it. So, to have spontaneity, means to only be aware of the experience itself, and it inhibits the hyperawareness of being a person. I truly think that, in day to day life, a person without DP forgets that they exist. And that's why you hear about the pop culture phenomenon of, when you suddenly remember that you infact are a distinct being, existing in a physical world, you feel that dissociative feeling. I think it's important to remember how you expeience the world without DPDR, and spontaneity is one way to do that.
Yeah I’ve actually noticed that spontaneity does work quite a bit. But what’s been shitty about that for me is that after I’ve spent the whole day on auto-pilot and being social, I’m even more DPd when I go to my room at the end of the day. If I spend the day not thinking at all, just focusing on doing things, that’s just pushing the problem onto my future self. Is that something you experience too? I’ve spent most of the days this week doing this exact thing, and yesterday I had the worst panic attack I’ve ever had. I don’t recognise myself at all, it’s like I’m in someone else’s brain. I don’t recognise my emotions, thoughts, myself, not anything. (I’m also currently sick so that doesn’t help, I feel like I can’t break the dissociation at all. Can’t hear anything, hurts to talk, can’t smell etc. Which makes it super hard to feel present). My parents are actually the only ones who makes it feel kinda better for me, talking to them is the only this that can calm me down somewhat.
And I’ve also thought about what you’re saying, before this no ones ever really that conscious of themselves (I mean I definitely was when it came to how others perceived me and what I said everyday, but it was never like I questioned myself and who I was). But like I said, to me, ignoring the problem throughout the day hasn’t at all worked it’s just made it worse. I’m glad it seems to work for you tho! What you said actually does make total sense. Without DP, you never question yourself as a person, and analyse your whole existence and experience of the world. If you try and stop questioning it maybe living becomes more natural? Idk, I just can’t wait for this to be over (if it ever does go away).
