[sadpenguin]

Hi guys,
I'm currently 23 and I've been suffering with full blown dp/dr ever since I was 16. Throughout my childhood I did experience the occasional "I feel like I'm in a dream" or "I feel like I'm a robot".
A few years back, when I was around 20 I made a lot of progress through the help of a very amazing psychologist, my symptoms were not cured but I did feel a satisfactory sense of progress which allowed me to go about my life the way any "normal" person would. So, I felt strong enough to stop seeking support from my psychologist.
However, some recent traumatic events have made me feel like I am now spiralling out of control and my sense of reality feels like its crumbling because of the events that occurred. In the span of one week, I experienced the death of a loved one, got molested by my step brother, got blamed for the molestation by my father, and am realising the true nature of my so called "loved ones" as I feel I have little to no support from them. I feel like I spent so much effort and strength rebuilding my foundations only to have it all crumble right before my eyes.
The symptoms have returned, but they are not as severe as they first were when I was 16. I'm also experiencing a lot of anxiety and panic attacks, sleep restlessness, muscle tension, hypersensitivity, and I feel at random times of the day I feel like I'm dying.
It's taking me a lot of effort to put myself out here and be so vulnerable, but I know that humans are sentient beings that need connection to survive, so I'm going off the hopes that my attempt of connection will help me find some relief in this time of my life.
Thank you for reading this, any advice is welcome.

 

[Al_pk]

This is transient. When you are removed from the situations causing you stress by time you will regain your previous high point.

You can't really help being affected by stressors as you move through life. I mean i'm not saying the molestation is normal it was a horrible thing to happen but for yourself and your mental health you must do what you can to move past it.

You sound like me just have DP that is highly reactive to stress. Whenever I am confronted with shit that raises my blood pressure i just say fuck that and get gone. I'm not built for it and it aint good for me. You must be the same

 

[sadpenguin]

The saying "this too shall pass" is something that gives me hope in moving on from all the bullshit. The initial shock is something that still feels very prominent, maybe once that's worn off I can process the events easier.
I am very much like you, stress is a major trigger for my dp/dr. Sometimes I think it's my brains way of trying to protect me from the trauma, I mean that is how dissociation works. It's so far from helpful though, because once I feel alienated from myself I lose sight of the steps to take to get better.

 

[Heather414]

Hey I know how you're feeling. Although mine hasnt been chronic for years this is the 3rd time I've had DP/DR or just some kind of dissociation in general over the past 6 years. Everytime I get this it's always different symptoms. This time mine was caused from trauma, my boyfriend passed away a few weeks ago. Everytime I dissociate it's always caused from extreme stress/anxiety. I do believe, as I've been told by many other people and therapists that this is our brains way of "protecting" us until it feels like you're ready to process/start coming back to reality a bit. I'm so sorry for everything you've gone through, Im hoping for you to heal from all this.

 

[sadpenguin]

I'm so sorry for your loss, I can't imagine how painful that must be to go through. I definitely agree that it's the minds version trying to protect itself from the trauma. I hope I'm ready to face everything soon so that the dissociation fades away. Thank you