[TonyJr]

I'm 19 years old about to turn 20 in a couple months. Over the past couple months I've felt like a backseat driver/observer to my mind and body. It's an overwhelming feeling of emptiness inside almost as if I'm numb to my emotions and physical senses. It's difficult to think at times and I feel as if my memory is fading.
I've tried to ignore it and just hope that the feelings pass but it's still the same if not worse. I didn't think that there was something wrong with me until I started to read up on what these symptoms may be related to. DP explained everything perfectly but the information that I learned left me relieved but more so distraught. Knowing that this is something that I have to cope with for the rest of my life is unnerving. I used to be this super ambitious young man with such a bright future but now I feel as if I'm trapped and with each passing day my future slips further and further out of reach.
I also read that to other people I seem normal as if nothing is wrong with me. This is what confuses me because how can I feel so trapped inside and still appear normal to everyone else.
I recently scheduled an appointment to see a psychiatrist later this week
If anyone could reply with tips on how they coped with DP or your success stories it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[106473]

Hey,

We can all relate, we get this daily, the honest best thing is to search the site, recoveries, coping etc, it's all here, "Holy Grail Of DP" is a great coping thread, there are many success in the section 'Recovery'.

Hope your Psychologist meeting goes well! there is so many treatments and although there are ones that work more often, there is no specific line of attack i've seen, if you have any specific questions give me a shout.

 

[eddy1886]

I'm 19 years old about to turn 20 in a couple months. Over the past couple months I've felt like a backseat driver/observer to my mind and body. It's an overwhelming feeling of emptiness inside almost as if I'm numb to my emotions and physical senses. It's difficult to think at times and I feel as if my memory is fading.
I've tried to ignore it and just hope that the feelings pass but it's still the same if not worse. I didn't think that there was something wrong with me until I started to read up on what these symptoms may be related to. DP explained everything perfectly but the information that I learned left me relieved but more so distraught. Knowing that this is something that I have to cope with for the rest of my life is unnerving. I used to be this super ambitious young man with such a bright future but now I feel as if I'm trapped and with each passing day my future slips further and further out of reach.
I also read that to other people I seem normal as if nothing is wrong with me. This is what confuses me because how can I feel so trapped inside and still appear normal to everyone else.
I recently scheduled an appointment to see a psychiatrist later this week
If anyone could reply with tips on how they coped with DP or your success stories it would be greatly appreciated.

You wont have to deal with this for the rest of your life...Lots of people recover fully...Others like myself learn to live with it...You can and will still lead a very productive meaningful life and will achieve your goals and ambitions...

The best thing I can recommend to you right now is to drastically reduce all levels of stress in your life...

Think of DP as a slight detour in your life...You will come out the far side a stronger, wiser and better person....Try to be patient with your recovery also...It takes time to get better from this condition...It wont happen overnight...BUT you will improve and get back into life...

Easy does it for now...Put it this way if you broke your leg you would be out of action for a number of months, If you were being treated for cancer maybe years....Its the same with DP...It takes time, patience and lots of looking after yourself and being good to yourself....This is an illness just like any other and you need to surround yourself with good supportive and understanding people....The pull your socks up, Its all in your head brigade are to be blanked...They do more harm than good...

Please go easy on yourself for the next while....Dont try to force yourself back into normal living as quickly as possible...Your mind is now exhausted and needs lots of rest from the everyday stress of life...

Stress at all levels is DPs best friend...Eliminate it for the time being