[melissaaylott]

Hi all,
I went to a gathering (only 6 people outside) on monday and drank a fair amount. I went home feeling very depersonalised but this isn't unusual when I drink. Only thing is, this sensation has not gone away since. I've had feelings of depersonalisation for 5 years but they normally last a day, go, then come back a week or so later. This time is different.
I just wanted to ask if anyone has any tips and advice for things I can do to help myself during this time. I'm still eating well, exercising, no caffeine etc. and I'm seeing a therapist but I'd love some advice from people who have experience this!
Any advice would be amazing! Thank you

 

[forestx5]

There is the obvious. Stop drinking. I gave up alcohol for 5 or 6 years once. I still hung out at the bar with my friends while they were drinking, but I drank rum and coke without the rum.

There was no peer pressure. My friends were consumed by the alcohol they were consuming. Take charge of your life. My brother was an addict. He had it comparatively easy. I often wished my illness was the result

of something I could just put down.

 

[melissaaylott]

I agree! I think after Monday I have definitely decided to stop drinking. That being said, I wouldn’t say I drink loads anyways. I just can’t seem to shake this feeling of depersonalisation...

 

[Absent]

I have to be very careful with alcohol as it complicates and zonks what little awareness DPD leaves me at the best of times. Having said that, I find a small amount of alcohol at night can be helpfully a little grounding with the loss of body sense (desomatisation). If I overdo it to soothe the secondary stress of DP/DR, then DP/DR are worse for days. Then I detox and pace myself until things settle to my usual DP/DR (if still crud). Hopefully, your DP has calmed since Monday. Water, veg, showers and self-will all help me, though I lapse of course. Good you avoid caffeine - it's much worse than alcohol for my symptoms. So chocolate is dodgy, I find.

 

[melissaaylott]

Thank you for this. I agree with everything you said! Yeah, my DP is finally starting to settle but it’s been a hard week.