[enngirl5]

Shit, I just wrote this whole post and hit some button and it deleted. So my question is, and no one can ever answer it, I've been asking the same question across forums and to doctors for 3 years, should we face the fear? I know some of you say no, it will make the dp/dr worse, just ignore it. I agree that works to a degree. But I mean face the fear of going crazy by doing the things you've been avoiding.

For example, for me I have panic disorder. Because of this I'm scared to travel, move away, socialize, be away from my safe zone for too long, which is home, etc. Basically the cycle is I start getting anxious when I do these things, get scared I'm gonna have a panic attack because the panic attack will lead to severe dp/dr and I'm afraid I'll just lose control all together and go crazy. But if I faced these things, like jump on a plane and go somewhere, or start going out and "socializing" more, I could face the fears, have the panic attack, have the derealization, and come out ok knowing that I won't go crazy.

Do you ever lose the fear of going nuts or feeling the world isn't real, etc? Do you ever lose the fear of this crap? Because for me the derealization isn't the problem, it's the fear that's the problem. I know there are some longtimers here that must have more insight into this than me, that's why I ask. Should I face my fears?

 

[ShyTiger]

I think facing fear is good, but gradually. A graduall desensitization to the things you fear. I had agoraphobia for three years severly! would not leave my lounge room. Hid if anyone came over. Its only through facing fears and saying "so what" to the "what if's", that got me out of avoidence behaviour. "And if you panic/dp so what?" I think that it(dp/panic) is just as unpleasant where ever you are. By saying "so what" and facing my fears gradually i was able to start going out and working and eventually even joined a circus and did trapeze and acrobatics and in front of an audience! I am now having to relearn to face my fears cause i'v had a relapse in my agoraphobia. And for some reason forgot all of my coping strategies. I am learning not to visualise panicing and dp'ing in situations ahead of time cause then you are setting up that situation for yourself. And needing to practice just relaxing my body and breathing when out and starting to panic. Not adding to my panic and dp by thinking why im like this or that im going crazy-just saying this is dp and panic and this is what my body does when stressed. I think having an action plan for how you will deal with the panic when it arrives is good. distraction techniques, ringing someone, ect. Start small and then with each success you will gain more confidence.Get some help from people that specialise in agoraphobia and panic and can give you coping strategys. Its worth giving it a go i think-you never know where it might take you.