[peaceboy23]

So I thought that getting a new roommate would cure it. It didn't. I thoguht being back in school would do it. It didn't. I thought my best friend coming back to town would do it. It didn't. It really is hitting home with me that NOTHING can cure us of this but our own abilities to focus outward and possibly medication. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I include myself in it, but so many of us just want some easy solution to get cured. We look for the perfect words or the perfect solution, but really you have to force yourself to focus outwards. I'm just barely beginning to do this...I still focus on self way too much, and have problems with anything "abstract." But the times that I can focus outward and focus on other things, I feel better. It's a bitch, it's a pain in the ass, it's tough as shit, but it's the only way out. Janine told me this many months ago, and I thought I was doing it, but i'm still not...when I'm feeling badly, i immediately turn back into myself..."why am I feeling this way, what was I thinking that caused this, what can I do to prevent this from happening, what thoughts am I having that are making it bad?" I am far from being cured, but those of us who have become cured give us all the same advice...FOCUS OUTWARD. There is so much wisdom in this, but it is hard, as most things that are worthwhile are. To paraphrase Jesus in a non-religious way, it's through the narrow gate, not the easy way, that we really get better. It ain't easy, but it's the only way. I truly believe this.

 

[Universal]

Focusing outward really does help. Right now I try to go outside every day to experience being in social situations. It's helped my agoraphobia alot. Going out every day is something alot of people should try and do, I live in a really nice neighborhood and it's good to walk along the Bay, or walk to the ocean and experience some seabreeze. Feels good and I'm going to continue to do it.

 

[Guest]

I agree, focusing outward helps, however it is only a temporary fix, and not a cure.

I think in order to cure this disorder, you must figure out what is causing you to slip into a DP state. Once you get a clue, try and think as hard as you can about what happened in your life to cause overwhelming emotions about that clue. Think about it as much as you can, and try and bring out the repressed memories. The more repressed memories you can bring out, the closer you get to solving DP.

The longer the DP goes on for however, the more repressed memories you will have related to this stress, and therefor will have a harder time beating it. It is imparative that you focus on doing this.

Repressed memories are what subconsciously tell us to go into DP because your brain doesnt want you to consciously remember them, as it will give you another anxiety/depression attack, which is why your brain created the DP defense mechanism in the first place.

You must understand what caused you to start the DP, in order to cure the DP

 

[Mipmunk]

the death of my cat caused my DP to trigger off (that was 4 months ago) I am over her now, but my DP is still here..... So I know what caused mine, but I just can't seem to switch it off.

Mip
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