[Dragoon909]

Sorry for asking so many questions, but I'm just trying to figure out what's going on with me.
I had a bout of stress big-time back in October, and at tge beginning on November--I woke up one day with anxiety and akathisia. After that, my mind got foggy, tinnitus and some tmj. Derealization and some depersonalization settled in.

I feel as though I'm cut off from the world. I use to take medication: klonopin, Lithium, tegretol and some other meds. I have been off all meds for 10.6 years.

My brain was so use to the medication as a crutch, I guess...
I've got to control stress better in the future.

My question is:
Tinnitus
Dr
Dp
Fog
Tmj
Anxiety

All a symptom(s) of stress???

I googled it, and I get so many symptoms of stress, it's confusing.

Any of you have tinnitus and some tmj?

It's like this tight wrap around pressure is around my head...

 

[Trith]

Personally I only have DP and DR, perhaps some mild anxiety and perhaps some level of brain fog but this one is quite recent compared to the rest and I think it was caused by medication, but who knows.
But anxiety and DPDR are found together very frequently, so I don't think any anxiety related symptoms are surprising. I know some people who have some level of anxiety, not even terrible, and they are clenching their jaw every night and need protection for that.

 

[Dragoon909]

Personally I only have DP and DR, perhaps some mild anxiety and perhaps some level of brain fog but this one is quite recent compared to the rest and I think it was caused by medication, but who knows.
But anxiety and DPDR are found together very frequently, so I don't think any anxiety related symptoms are surprising. I know some people who have some level of anxiety, not even terrible, and they are clenching their jaw every night and need protection for that.

May I ask, what medication?

 

[Trith]

May I ask, what medication?

Lithium with other things in parallel was ok in the beginning for like 1.5 years, then I had really bad working memory when haldol was added for a few weeks, then with lithium only it got better and then a bit worse again, then switched to lamotrigine and it was a bit better still. I stopped and it got even better, but I have stopped for a year and I still don't think it is really back to normal. But as always, there could still be other factors.

 

[Dragoon909]

Lithium with other things in parallel was ok in the beginning for like 1.5 years, then I had really bad working memory when haldol was added for a few weeks, then with lithium only it got better and then a bit worse again, then switched to lamotrigine and it was a bit better still. I stopped and it got even better, but I have stopped for a year and I still don't think it is really back to normal. But as always, there could still be other factors.

I was on Lithium for a while years ago. I took it in combination with Klonopin.

Lithium made me gain weight. I can't say I had dr or dp from stopping it. I detoxed 4mg of Klonopin, and it was an experience: neuropathy, cramps like a claw grabbing your stomach and it depersonalized me until I got better.

The dp and dr I have now is imo from stress. I've been off all meds for years.

Your dr could be from the lamotrigine...seems to me, that would be the culprit.
Idk how Lithium would be.

 

[NoDevils]

You may have bruxism which would warrant getting a bite guard made by a doctor if true. There are treatments for TMJ as well.

Everyone's ears ring. Sometimes we notice it more than others and it can have an irritating character. Everyone has anxiety. If anxiety rises to a level which it causes you significant suffering and dysfunction that's considered an anxiety disorder.

 

[Dragoon909]

You may have bruxism which would warrant getting a bite guard made by a doctor if true. There are treatments for TMJ as well.

Everyone's ears ring. Sometimes we notice it more than others and it can have an irritating character. Everyone has anxiety. If anxiety rises to a level which it causes you significant suffering and dysfunction that's considered an anxiety disorder.

I could definitely cope better without the derealization.
I can deal with tinnitus...but the dr is what gets to me.
Was at the store today, and zero emotion.

My brain was like: ‐-------------
No anything.

 

[NoDevils]

I could definitely cope better without the derealization.
I can deal with tinnitus...but the dr is what gets to me.
Was at the store today, and zero emotion.

My brain was like: ‐-------------
No anything.

I know what you mean. It took me several years to learn to control my fear and mood, and a couple years to accept having chronic depersonalization. I found with the help of a psychiatrist the medications that are right for me but they don't entirely solve the problem. The onset of depersonalization really threw me off, causing me to think I was going schizophrenic. It all reminded me of an old term people have stopped using called a "nervous breakdown." It's like going psychotic without the psychosis. Instead of acquiring a new, delusional certainty, the person lives in constant uncertainty. The only solution is to achieve a new peace and clarity, which for many people is an ongoing process. People long to return to the specific type of clarity they enjoyed before, if it really existed, but we can't go backwards.

 

[Dragoon909]

I know what you mean. It took me several years to learn to control my fear and mood, and a couple years to accept having chronic depersonalization. I found with the help of a psychiatrist the medications that are right for me but they don't entirely solve the problem. The onset of depersonalization really threw me off, causing me to think I was going schizophrenic. It all reminded me of an old term people have stopped using called a "nervous breakdown." It's like going psychotic without the psychosis. Instead of acquiring a new, delusional certainty, the person lives in constant uncertainty. The only solution is to achieve a new peace and clarity, which for many people is an ongoing process. People long to return to the specific type of clarity they enjoyed before, if it really existed, but we can't go backwards.

I've had dr on 3 separate occasions:
When I had constant panic in my 20's.
In Klonopin wd.
And this time after major stress...

It went away each time, but idk...
It's lifted some, but not that much in 6 weeks.
Who knows???

I can at least cry and laugh some. At first, I was in such a fog...I could barely think.

I'm 43 years old. The assumption only adolescents get it is not true. My mother told me last night, she has had it. I didn't know that. She described it perfectly...so I know she has.

Hereditary? Could be.

 

[NoDevils]

I've had dr on 3 separate occasions:
When I had constant panic in my 20's.
In Klonopin wd.
And this time after major stress...

It went away each time, but idk...
It's lifted some, but not that much in 6 weeks.
Who knows???

I can at least cry and laugh some. At first, I was in such a fog...I could barely think.

I'm 43 years old. The assumption only adolescents get it is not true. My mother told me last night, she has had it. I didn't know that. She described it perfectly...so I know she has.

Hereditary? Could be.

That sounds hopeful. Your depersonalization is likely to go into at least a partial remission. Most people with this syndrome are capable of functioning and having fulfilling lives though it can be an uphill effort. Imo recovery from mental health problems is about taking easy steps and appreciating the progress. You might be able to get some accommodations at work, although I know many people don't want to disclose their mental health problems in the workplace because there's strong likelihood of discrimination. You'll be where you want to be eventually.

 

[Dragoon909]

That sounds hopeful. Your depersonalization is likely to go into at least a partial remission. Most people with this syndrome are capable of functioning and having fulfilling lives though it can be an uphill effort. Imo recovery from mental health problems is about taking easy steps and appreciating the progress. You might be able to get some accommodations at work, although I know many people don't want to disclose their mental health problems in the workplace because there's strong likelihood of discrimination. You'll be where you want to be eventually.

Thanks...
Hopefully.

I'm just going to have to keep stress low.

I think stress is what gives us setbacks.

 

[Trith]

I was on Lithium for a while years ago. I took it in combination with Klonopin.

Lithium made me gain weight. I can't say I had dr or dp from stopping it. I detoxed 4mg of Klonopin, and it was an experience: neuropathy, cramps like a claw grabbing your stomach and it depersonalized me until I got better.

The dp and dr I have now is imo from stress. I've been off all meds for years.

Your dr could be from the lamotrigine...seems to me, that would be the culprit.
Idk how Lithium would be.

Actually Lamotrigine reduced my DR a little, in combination with an antidepressant. But I had DR years before I tried any treatment, and it still at the same level after I stopped the treatment. Only my memory was changed through the experience. So it might or might not be something entirely different.

 

[Dragoon909]

Actually Lamotrigine reduced my DR a little, in combination with an antidepressant. But I had DR years before I tried any treatment, and it still at the same level after I stopped the treatment. Only my memory was changed through the experience. So it might or might not be something entirely different.

I noticed you called depersonalization a syndrome. I have to agree that it is.

With mine, it's like my brain becomes stressed and then these symptoms come along.

I seen some thread asking if it were an illness or etc...
Syndrome seems to be more appropriate.