[teal]

Do you get transient symptom relief from alcohol? This is from The British Journal of Psychiatry:

'Some [dpdr] patients are able to identify factors that produce a transient change in their condition - artificial light and crowds are often described as exacerbating the symptoms, whereas physical exercise and alcohol may provide some temporary relief'

I haven't had a drop of alcohol since I got ill, but I remember in the beginning, that yes, alcohol gave some transient relief.

As of today artificial light exacerbates my symptoms, crowds too to some extent, and physical exercise gives some relief and alcohol, well, I don't know what effect it'd have now.

Further it says that clonazepam is useful in some patients. I suppose that would have an effect somewhat akin to alcohol. I haven't tried it before. I tried oxazepam for the very first time just this week, but I haven't experience with other benzos except things like a Valium before a spinal tap.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/advances-in-psychiatric-treatment/article/understanding-and-treating-depersonalisation-disorder/6216AE06994D1094873145C016CC1F57/core-reader#

 

[mkeshish]

Ugh alcohol. That was a killer for me for a decade bc it did cause relief. How can I think or process my feelings when I would get so drunk I would black out. I developed a problem with it because of this. Oh, and the next day, panic times 100000.

Klonopin has been something that has provided immense relief for me over the past. Unfortunately, it's something I've had to be on long term which is always frowned upon. I'm going to need to find some more holistic approaches but it's HARD. Good luck and just be smart xxx

 

[Al_pk]

Ye it does but drinking with dp anxiety is short term gain for long term pain. I call dp anxiety hangovers doom overs

 

[teal]

Thanks for sharing, the both of you.

@mkeshish have you tried other benzos? I am worried klonopin won't help me as oxazepam didn't. Back when I did use alcohol to curb things, I had a single beer in the morning and that had quite a good effect.

 

[eddy1886]

One of the best things ive ever done long term to enhance my mood levels and also to reduce my anxiety levels was to eliminate alcohol consumption completely 100%....

Yes it used to make me feel alot less DPed when i was drunk (simply because it eliminates anxiety temporarily) The term Dutch Courage comes to mind...But watch out for the following few days or weeks after a night of drinking....Its not nice....

The long term negative effects of alcohol consumption far outweight the short term anxiety free high effects....

My opinion is to avoid at all costs and even more so if you are taking medication.........Alcohol and mental health meds DO NOT mix...

 

[eddy1886]

Ugh alcohol. That was a killer for me for a decade bc it did cause relief. How can I think or process my feelings when I would get so drunk I would black out. I developed a problem with it because of this. Oh, and the next day, panic times 100000.

Klonopin has been something that has provided immense relief for me over the past. Unfortunately, it's something I've had to be on long term which is always frowned upon. I'm going to need to find some more holistic approaches but it's HARD. Good luck and just be smart xxx

Demon alcohol....And those awful blackouts....12 Steps solved this for me...12 Steps also helped me in tons of other areas in my life...Even with DP..

Its such a nice way to live...Not being controlled by a substance....Freedom is what comes into my mind along with the ability to make sensible life choices and decisions...

 

[forestx5]

For some people this, and for some people that. I've been a moderate drinker on and off throughout my life. I'm off again some 5 months now.

I don't keep score. It has never caused me problems. No DUIs, no wife beating, doesn't make me suicidal, etc. etc.

I agree that alcohol diminishes dp symptoms, as well as many other things. That doesn't make it something to recommend as a treatment.

I have suffered long episodes of major depression with severe insomnia. After not having any real sleep for about 6 weeks, out of desperation

I decided to jog a mile and drink a 6 pak of beer. (as if I were not already tired enough to fall asleep) Not only did I not fall asleep, I was wide awake through the transition of buzz to hangover and

it was not pleasant at all. I wouldn't recommend alcohol as a sleep aid. I stayed employed during my episodes of depression. I had some very bad days at work, but I managed with two

clonazepam tablets in a vial in my pocket. I used Klonopin (clonazepam) so sparingly, that I imagine it had a similar effect that Xanax would

have. I could feel a warmth in my stomach and an easing of my anxiety within brief minutes of ingesting the pill. It helped me finish my day

of work on numerous occasions over the 6 month downward spiral of my depressive episodes. I don't know what I would have done without it.

Discontinuation was never a problem as my depressions were recurrent, and so was the treatment with clonazepam. .5 mg .

 

[35467]

I have tried several benzodiazepines prior to i knew that i had depersonalisation without effect. By accident I came on a combination of duloxetine and 2.5 mg of clonazepam. I took the cloazepam for sleep and the next day 20-30% of my symptoms was gone. Felt more present, more energetic. The effect lasted for 4-6.months then tolerance. I had to send 6.months to get out of clonazepam. So, clonazepam can in some make a reduction with combined with a anti-depressant that other benzodiapines can't. But, the effect is not permanent because tolerance will come to it.

 

[PerfectFifth]

Yeah, I think I do.

It's probably due to the euphoric feeling that alcohol induces more than anything else. I just stop caring about stuff. It's not so much that it alleviates the DPDR symptoms, because it probably makes them worse.