[Guest]

Hello, I feel a little awkward posting this because I may be more mentally ill than I have thought. I am bi-polar (on meds) and had a very intense DP experience in July '03. It was not really a negative experience for me, quite the opposite, I found it very interesting. I am drawn to repeating it, through meditation. My only worry is that I did not have complete control over my actions while in this state.
My concern is that I have recent ideas that this world may not be the only reality, and that the consciousness one experiences while in a DP state may be the gateway to another, higher form of reality. My main fear is that if I experience DP again I may lose control over my body and external self (which happened before) and that I may do things which could cause problems for myself or others, or even kill myself "accidentally", thinking the higher, DP "self" will live on in some other dimension, or even by migrating to another person's body.
I know this probably sounds pretty bizarre. My therapist is on vacation so I can't reach him. Should I stay away from meditation? What if my theory is correct? Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thank you. Joe.

 

[enigma]

Hello, I feel a little awkward posting this because I may be more mentally ill than I have thought.

That all depends. How mentally ill did you think you were?

I know this probably sounds pretty bizarre.

Now why should you think that?

My therapist is on vacation so I can't reach him.

Good! (Got you all to myself. :twisted: )

Should I stay away from meditation?

Certainly not! You want to explore an alternate reality? We've got a special place down here reserved just for you!

What if my theory is correct?

Who's to say it isn't? Many leading scientists today believe in alternate realities, parallel universes and all that (read Michio Kaku's latest tome?).

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

I'll keep 'em coming.

Thank you. Joe.

You're welcome! :twisted:

e

 

[Guest]

Only in Westchester. grin

(I'm from NYC, so I know my neighborhoods)

I think you already know the answer to those questions. Clearly, no one here is going to confirm that DP is a "higher" experience, but I can promise you that many people here have had similar fantastic delusions. It's part and parcel of the dp package for those of us who are also highly obsessive.

We create "meaning" out of the bizarre (and totally logical) symptom state because we are so helpless, so petrified and so totally OUT of control. It's compensatory. The delusions always involve being highly important - perhaps the center of the universe, or at least (if the delusional one is willing to share the spotlight, grin) one of a chosen or select few who are gaining "special insight"

Common as paranoia. Very common. And dangerous. Nothing horrible will happen to your brain, and chances are excellent that you will not harm yourself or someone else - but there are no guarantees in life. Push yourself to the limits, and you are playing on the ledge. Common Sense 101. Anyone who intentionally pursues these fantasies is asking for trouble though. There is no awareness to reach, except to fall deeper into the abyss of unreality.

Words from one who was there. Please trust me.

Janine

 

[enigma]

Words from one who was there. Please trust me.

Oh Janine, why do you have to spoil everything? :lol:

e

 

[Martinelv]

I agree. I think almost everyone who has experienced DR/DP has been tormented by quasi-philosophical questions regarding the nature of reality, etc. I know I did. And it's not suprising really, considering that you are seeing the world in a different way. But the important thing to remember that, whatever the new age tree huggers might want you to believe, is that what you are experiencing is an illness, pure and simple. If you want to speculate about other possible realties and such and such, I strongly urge you to suspend these musings until you get better.

I differ from some people by thinking that the 'content' of our obsessions when we are suffering from DR/DP is irrelevant. It is the obsessional state itself that is the problem. I remember, during my DR/DP episodes, furiously trying to rationalise the curious thoughts about reality that I was having - and once I managed to convince myself one way or that other, and thinking that the obsession would go away, BANG, another flavour of obsession.

 

[Guest]

Thanks everyone for the interesting and helpful replies. I will consider everything said carefully and I will see my therapist next week. Thanks for your support!

 

[enigma]

Thanks everyone for the interesting and helpful replies.

You're more than welcome! And please return anytime!

I will consider everything said carefully

Yes, but pay no mind to Janine or Martin (they love to kid!).

and I will see my therapist next week.

You don't need him (Only Joseph knows whats best for Joseph!)

Thanks for your support!

Again, you are better than welcome! :twisted:

e