alcohol and DP

I've been trying to stop completely for the longest time. I've certainly cut back big time compared to college when I drank heavy 3-4 times a week. Over the last year I'll go through months without really drinking, but then all of a sudden I'll be feeling rather good and decide to drink, but it usually results in increased depression. Sucks. It's hard for me cause drinking is what most of my friends do for fun on the weekends. And being 25 years old, this society is centered around drinking at this point of my life. I don't think I'm an alcoholic cause there has been beer sittin in my fridge for over a week and I haven't had any temptation to touch it, but I do think that I have some issues. In any event, it's probably good to stay away from it, as hard as it is. Take care.

Kelson

agentcooper said:

i think alcohol helps mask feelings of dp/dr. i quite enjoy some time off from my disorder.

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Buuuuuut, for those with depression, please know that it is one of the strongest depressants, thus making DP/depression worse. It can also cancel out the effects of meds you are taking. I am still trying to get myself to realize this completely, but I am good at GIVING advice :lol:

I used to use it to mask my DP, but now I rarely can get it to do that and since it makes my depression worse, it makes me focus on myself more and more, thus resulting in worse DP. Vicious circle.

Alcohol-->masking DP-->depression as alcohol wears off--->leads to more intense DP--->alcohol--->masking DP---depression as it wears
off-->intense DP--->alcohol--->masking DP---depression as it wears
off-->intense DP......see a trend!

agentcooper said:

i'm not depressed at all. i guess i'm really lucky to be one of the few people on this board who isn't depressed or anxious. stuff does make me feel sad or anxious but i don't generally feel either.

i know i shouldn't drink as much as i do, but i really don't think it makes my dp/dr any worse. thank heavens

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^^^ You are very lucky! Honestly though, I don't think it's literally the alcohol that bothers me, it's ruminating and dwelling on it the day after. Like "Should I have drank that?", "The doctor said it can make it worse or that the meds won't take effect", etc...etc. That's what causes me to downward spiral. Ya know?