DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL IF YOU HAVE DP/DR

Well said Bright. Your words ring true. But I still ask, and I guess I am asking researchers here, why booze works for many here moreso, if not head and shoulders above, than any antidepressant or anxiolytic. Alcohol changes the dp/dr into an alcohol state, which of course is an altered state as well. It does not just reduce the anxiety, it brings forth a temporary bearable outcome to a bad dp/dr episode for many of us (not all of us of course). And of course this is why many of us wind up relying on it, some of us progressing into the never never land of true alcohilism. I suppose an opiate would do the same, such as injecting herion or morphine. All of these put us into altered states and feel good. But target medicines hit our supposed causes (obsession, anxiety or whatever) and really, in effect, are less effective,. if not useless, for many of us. And if psychotherapy or analysis is the answer, then I will be there, although it has not worked so far for me.

I am saying that maybe the "therapeutic" effects of alcohol should be looked at in terms of understanding the nature of dp/dr by the researchers. And I again stress here that I do not advocate booze as a medicinal option. I jsut wonder why it works, (for me and some others)
jft

Again all you say is true Bright. The bottom line I am getting at is if anxiety and related things are core to starting and pepetuating dp/dr,and booze nicely deals with those things temporarily (for some of us), then maybe booze should be looked at in terms of "why it works" to knock out dp/dr feelings. I mean booze does not knock out bipolar or psychotc episodes, it does not knock out clinical depression etc.. LIke I say, I was on benzoes for years and tried most all antidepressants, which TARGET anxiety and obession and social phobias and panic disorder but none of those helped me. Booze did. I even had a Family Practicioner give me the thumbs up on moderated beer use to combat nasty episodes. Again, not at all recommended because of all the obvious problems.

Over the years I had many time spaces where I totally abstained due to the reasons you mentioned. One span was 6 years, others were one and two year spans where i worked my ass off in therapy, or on med trials, or intensive diet and exercise regimens, and even a multi year stint as a born again Christian. Booze was not a part of my life at all during those times. And I have to admit here, and am only stating fact,, that those years were the worst of all my journey in terms of intensity and longevity of dp/dr. After all these attempts I gave up I guess and resorted to using beer, but always keeping an eye on research and new books. The whole time I used beer medicinally I was aware of the perils, but really did not give a rats ass because I was too miserable with symptoms and thought any downside would be a trade off to be able to feel normal for an hour or two. It was not until three years ago or so that I found these websites and have found them of immense help in understanding. I wish these websites existed years ago when onset occured for me.

I wonder how many here actually do use alcohol medicinally. I imagine the number is quite high. I wonder how many did for years and wound up with problems and had to quit. I think that number is maybe higher than the general poepulation as well. It works, but it has this very nasty side effect called dependency and numerous other complications. It is interesting how doctors refuse to prescribe benzoes because of the same side effects.

Anyway, enough I guess. Maybe I am just a tough nut to crack and no one here should look to me as the normal dp/dr'r. Mine may be a unique situation.
jft