[Guest]

I just needed to vent. I read this forum a decent amount but haven't been back here in a bit because things were getting better. I was dealing well with my DP/DR but I had a miserable day and I wanted to know if anyone has had similar symptoms/stories.

I was at my psychologists and he was asking me to explain how emotional situations of mine have felt or what I think (characteristically) of my parents. Basically, he wanted to know how in touch I am with my emotions because I'm a very analytical person.

Anyway, when he asked the question, I just didn't know how to answer. All of a sudden everything kind of vanished. My voice was distant. I felt like all of my responses were automated; I was a robot. Then my arms got tense and I felt like everything was misty, like reality had just disappeared. I've had DP/DR before but this was the worst experience I had ever had. Reality almost seemed as if it was going to vanish. I couldn't focus on the person I was talking to. My eyes would not stop darting around the room. And I couldn't focus on what he was saying. I wasn't even in the conversation it felt like. Does anyone ever have the eyes darting symptom?

I guess maybe it was triggered by me not being able to answer the question, and it being a question that I should be able to answer. I don't know; I don't understand. But it was the most frightening experience I've had with DP/DR yet. Comments? Questions? Any similar stories would be greatly appreciated. It's beena rough day.

 

[Dreamland]

I hate to use this term because it's so over used but it sounds like a classic panic attack. When you're in a session with your psychologist you're definitely in the spotlight so perhaps you wanted to subconsciously escape from the situation you were in. My hairdresser once had a similar experience years ago when I began questioning her about her ongoing bouts with anxiety. She was cutting my hair and had to run out of the shop because she was having a massive panick attack because of our converstation. While I was calming her down outside the shop she began describing symptoms that sound identical to what you're describing in your post.

 

[bright23]

"I guess maybe it was triggered by me not being able to answer the question, and it being a question that I should be able to answer."

I don't think the question he asked you was so easy to answer. How do you feel about your parents? That can be as intense as it can get as far as questions from your therapist.

Don't be so consumed with symptoms "eyes darting" that's what your DP/DR wants to keep you focused on. Go back to his question and ask yourself why your system put on such a fireworks display over it.

Though it appears totally frightening, it sounds like you're making some headway in your therapy... seriously.

What was your doctor's reaction after this?

I recommend watching some television, total distraction.

Don't worry about symptoms. Totally unimportant. There's nothing to them.

 

[bright23]

Please read the thread... "Some progress... Janine style" I think this relates to your current situation.

 

[peaceboy23]

I have the eye darting thing...it used to drive my mom crazy. I would be talking to her or someone else, and then I would look into all corners of the room, up, down, all around. I still do it sometimes, but it's not as bad.

 

[Guest]

What was your doctor's reaction after this?

Well, I think he was both interested that I reacted as I did, as well as frustrated because he felt like he wasn't getting through to me. But he did say that he wasn't going to give up. Still I don't understand why registering my emotions is such a big deal to me. I guess what was a bigger deal to me was two things: (1) I felt like I didn't know how to answer the questions; and (2) I felt like I had so much input coming through to my mind that everything got stuck in the door together (i.e. the three stooges syndrome).

But TV does it for me too man. That's why I like watching TV; it distracts me from everything else.

 

[bright23]

When you see your therapist again, perhaps you will want to take another stab at his question, see what comes up and out of your heart and mind... it is not an easy question, never is. Nothing's all black or white, everything, especially human relations are totally complicated and woven in on themselves...

I doubt your therapist was "frustrated..."