[Guest]

Hi. My name's Liz. I know that ya'll can't tell me for sure, but I feel comfterable asking it here than to a person face-to-face. I have had a lot of times since I was a kid where I could just walk around feeling like everything was more. Brighter, louder, ect. I felt like I was in a dream, not tired, and usually not panicing while I felt that way. Just, detatched. It started as minutes of time, the grew into days. I never told anyone, just tried to act normal. Then one day I walked out of my bedroom, and my mom was cooking in the kitchen. I said, "mom, am I dreaming? Are you part of my dream?" She looked at me strangley and said no. A few years later my doc said I am hypoglycemic. There are times I feel my blood sugars lower, but that feeling is a feeling of sadness, trouble breathing, feeling hot, extremly tired, ect. Then I have times that I just feel like I'm dreaming, but ot lasts so long I know I must be awake. And people ask me things, I sometimes don't know if something was real, or if I dreamed it.
Sorry about the long post, but does anyone here think I'm crazy, or could I be having a problem with this? I know almost nothing about Depersonalazation, and Derealization. I read about it, and sounded like I felt. I'm kinda scared, I'm not trying to step on anyones toes. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Monkeydust]

I don't think you're crazy at all, for a start.

What you've described does sounds like it could be depersonalization/derealization. You'd have to rule out other things first. I don't know if it relates at all to hypoglycemia, but it's probably worth double-checking that as well with someone.

Just to let you know, a lot of what you've described is common to members here. Plenty of us were able to "dip into" feelings of unreality at a young age, only to find them stay "stuck" later on.

Hopefully you'l find the boards helpful.

 

[Sunshine Spirit]

Hi Liz!

I don't think you're crazy, either... although I might be! LOL

I still often don't know if something was real or I've dreamt it. I have to ask my friends or family if something did or didn't happen. If it turns out to be something I must have dreamt, I immediately dismiss it.

If you are suffering from Depersonalisation and/or Derealisation, then you'll find many good friends here.

 

[Monkeydust]

Don't listen to that, sunshine's perfectly sane. I am the crazy one here, dammit!

I have strobe-light vision right now, for crying out loud!

 

[ShyTiger]

Are you getting treatment for your hypoglycemia? I know this can cause the symptoms you have described. Dp/dr also do, i would definatley still get a doc to rule out physicall causes.

 

[dakotajo]

sounds like you suffer from depression/anxiety.

 

[Guest]

Thanx for being so understanding.
I know how to control my hypoglycemia, but it's like 2 different feelings, you know? When I'm in a low sugar I'll get panicy and sad. But theres times where I'm just floating along, like nothing is real. I don't panic in the second one. I'm just afraid to ask. When I was 12 I started getting physically ill all the time and throwing up. People said it was just cause I wanted attention, I was too young to have a problem, that it was in my head, ect. Except my mom. She took me to alot of docs, till one said, well, duh, you have too much acid in your stomach! But I don't want to go to a doc then have them tell me I just want attention, cause I don't! I'm good at blending. And I tried to bring it up once and the doc basically said "yeah, right." I don't want that again. What is the best way to ask? :?:

 

[Guest]

Absolutely not crazy.
Hypoglycemia can cause states very much like panic disorder and other anxiety type symptoms including feeling light headed and spacey.
I don't know what was going on when you were 12 but it sounds like an organic physical condition.

It seems as if you might have been experiencing depersonalistion for awhile.

I don't think it's the way you ask a doctor as much as what kind of doctor you see.
Many or in my experience most doctors when they get a whiff of psychological problems will easily dismiss all symtoms as psychological.
I find this ignorant and plain lazy.
If you have a broad minded doctor you can trust than they should be able to direct you to the best person for you to see.

If you are concerned about your health ask to see a specialist,don't ever mention the word crazy to a GP.
If you think it's a possibility you have depersonalisation ask to see a psychiatrist.
When in doubt,I guess it's best to go through a process of elimination.
Rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms.
It is possible to have both a physical condition and depersonalisation which surprise surprise can exaccerbate the dp.

Most people have found that not eating and having their blood sugar drop will worsen dp/dr.
Drinking coffee or alcohol,taking cold and flu meds etc can all cause dp to increase for some people.

All the best Shelly

 

[Da'Burgh]

Most people have found that not eating and having their blood sugar drop will worsen dp/dr.
Drinking coffee or alcohol,taking cold and flu meds etc can all cause dp to increase for some people.

I agree. Caffeine, too much/too little sugar, nicotine.... stimulants aren't good for me.

Also, the dextromethorphan in many cough/cold meds is the reason that it makes it much worse- because it's a dissociative drug.