[HelloJonathan2]

Hi,

I have derealization and brain fog (I think). And I am recovering. I have good days and bad days but I have had moments when I'm with friends or just doing something where my derealization is almost completely one and I forget it is even there. But I haven't recovered. I really want to know what it is like to have fully recovered and what you can and can't do.

1. What/when was the first time your realized you are fully recovered and how did it feel?
2. How do you move on knowing what the feeling is like but the feeling not plaguing you when you think about it?
3. (Might be a weird one) but if you were a weed smoker, are you able to smoke now even if it is in small amounts without worry or is that completely gone?

Thanks for the answer.

 

[Speedy69]

The two times I recovered..I recovered without medication or therapy. First time was nearly a year and the second was about 6 months. What’s strange is you slowly forget about it. Very very slowly. It’s like you get so far away from it where it’s just not there anymore. You can think about it and remember that you went through something very hard and distressing but you cannot recreate the feelings. What it is is you become so obsessed that it is the only thing you think of. It becomes your life. As you distant yourself from it through distraction/living life..you create space from it til you are back enjoying life and one day you realize it’s just not there. That sounds strange but it’s true and everything goes back to normal. You can think about it or read about it and it does not trigger anything. Mine was due from anxiety. Not weed but if weed was the trigger I would suggest giving it up just Incase it triggers you again.

 

[kylekatarn]

Hi,

I have derealization and brain fog (I think). And I am recovering. I have good days and bad days but I have had moments when I'm with friends or just doing something where my derealization is almost completely one and I forget it is even there. But I haven't recovered. I really want to know what it is like to have fully recovered and what you can and can't do.

1. What/when was the first time your realized you are fully recovered and how did it feel?

For me there was no "ahah* moment of realization - but if I had to pick something I'd say I realized I couldn't tell if I was back to my "normal" self (problems and all) or if I still had DP/DR.

To me if you can't tell the difference between your pre and post DP/DR self anymore - that's recovered.

2. How do you move on knowing what the feeling is like but the feeling not plaguing you when you think about it?

It's like quitting smoking. A smoker can't imagine not smoking anymore - and also imagines that they'll always want one if it's brought up. The reality is, once you've actually stopped smoking for long enough you just don't think about it anymore - even if you see, smell, or talk about it.

Maybe once in a blue moon I'll think about it (DP/DR) but I feel confident with the toolbelt I have to deal with anxiety now - so I don't mind exercising my demon slaying blade.

3. (Might be a weird one) but if you were a weed smoker, are you able to smoke now even if it is in small amounts without worry or is that completely gone?

Believe it or not at this point I actually smoke weed to challenge my anxiety; and usually there's about a 10-15 minute hump where I have to "practice" coping techniques - after which point I find I can then relax into it and enjoy it like I used to.

Of course I didn't futz with it when I had acute DP/DR (because weed can pretty easily mimic DP/DR) and I was too scared of doing anything that could impede possible recovery. More specifically weed can cause anxiety if you're sensitive or don't have your defenses dialed in, and the subsequent release of stress hormone from panic attacks that weed may cause is responsible for the symptoms that people describe as DP/DR. It all just comes from anxiety.

But as I mentioned above, you'll have a toolbelt you feel confident with to handle anxiety, and that should work for weed induced anxiety as well if you're looking forward to smoking again - and the fact that you are is a testament to how far along the road of recovery you are.

I assume you'll be smart about it and start with tiny micro amounts like a good doctor would.

And look for high CBD low THC. I've found some weed that's just that, and instead of taking a tiny hit and playing "wait and see" I can smoke a decent amount without having to worry about blasting off into space and never coming back - WHICH at this point I believe I could still pilot the ship home safely - but I'd prefer to not have to attempt that kind of mission if I can avoid it

 

[HelloJonathan2]

To be honest, the weed part made me feel so much better. I never needed weed and was never a heavy smoker (only once every two weeks with a binge when my parents went out). But I had some really fun times just experiencing stupidity with my friends. It was so much different than drunk stupid. We all had horrible short term memory which just added to the adventure.

I do believe that one day I would be able to smoke but only when I recover and that is helping me get there quicker.