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Nikdoug
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Default May 16, 2020 at 07:02 PM
  #1
I'm just learning how to deal with my derealization and would love to know any tips, advice, or things I need to discuss with my doctor. I'm currently taking Remeron and Wellbutrin for my depression and PTSD but I could certainly use some self-care. Thanks everyone!
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Alatea
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Default May 17, 2020 at 04:00 AM
  #2
Hey Nikdoug,
My experience with DPDR is that first steps are taking care of all underlying or accompanying conditions, such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, so I think you are doing the right thing.
In terms of coping with DPDR, for me it was important not to isolate myself from other people. However, DPDR (that I do not have for the last month and a half), as well as all the PTSD/cPTSD symptoms (it is a combination of different disorders in me, really) that I am still going through, taught me to choose wisely who are the people that I really want to have around, and with whom I should sever connection.

I also looked for ways to articulate my experience, as both DP and DR were pretty disturbing to me, tbh. I was journaling a lot (800 pages in 3,5 years, lol), sharing with friends and my partner (as long as it didn't mean traumatizing them, but rather sharing the whole strange experience of DPDR) and in the end (after 3 years of doing everything else) I found a lot of help at self-help forums, in just being able to vent, and to identify with the experience of others.
I also took very good care of myself, in terms of lifestyle decisions, in particular healthy diet, doing some exercise here and there, sometimes just walk for half an hour a day.
Also, even thought a lot of my activities revolved around trying to get better, I tried (not always succeeding) not to obsess over my symptoms and my condition in general. It inevitably happened, that I get absorbed by reading about it, trying to figure it out, and it is, I guess, what most of us go through at some point. Being able to let go of it, when I feel that I can, was just as important as accepting that I have it, if that makes sense? I mean, I still know that I have a lot to deal with, but I can let go of it at least in some situations.

I hope that you will find your way to deal with it,

Best of luck and take care,
A.
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Nikdoug
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Default May 20, 2020 at 07:37 AM
  #3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alatea View Post
Hey Nikdoug,
My experience with DPDR is that first steps are taking care of all underlying or accompanying conditions, such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, so I think you are doing the right thing.
In terms of coping with DPDR, for me it was important not to isolate myself from other people. However, DPDR (that I do not have for the last month and a half), as well as all the PTSD/cPTSD symptoms (it is a combination of different disorders in me, really) that I am still going through, taught me to choose wisely who are the people that I really want to have around, and with whom I should sever connection.

I also looked for ways to articulate my experience, as both DP and DR were pretty disturbing to me, tbh. I was journaling a lot (800 pages in 3,5 years, lol), sharing with friends and my partner (as long as it didn't mean traumatizing them, but rather sharing the whole strange experience of DPDR) and in the end (after 3 years of doing everything else) I found a lot of help at self-help forums, in just being able to vent, and to identify with the experience of others.
I also took very good care of myself, in terms of lifestyle decisions, in particular healthy diet, doing some exercise here and there, sometimes just walk for half an hour a day.
Also, even thought a lot of my activities revolved around trying to get better, I tried (not always succeeding) not to obsess over my symptoms and my condition in general. It inevitably happened, that I get absorbed by reading about it, trying to figure it out, and it is, I guess, what most of us go through at some point. Being able to let go of it, when I feel that I can, was just as important as accepting that I have it, if that makes sense? I mean, I still know that I have a lot to deal with, but I can let go of it at least in some situations.

I hope that you will find your way to deal with it,

Best of luck and take care,
A.
Thank you for your advice, Alatea! When you said you tried not to obsess over your symptoms and accept that you have DPDR, that made me think of when I got out of the hospital. The stress my body and mind were enduring at the time landed me on the neuro floor at the hospital with severe dizziness, vertigo, vomiting, and an inability to control my eye movements. I could barely walk. They initially thought I had a stroke. However, when they couldn't find any signs of stroke, tumors or anything else, the chalked it up to stress.
In retrospect, I think the trauma of that experience led to my first bout with derealization. It was very heavy but I'd never heard of derealization so I just accepted that it was likely just my vestibular system trying to recover. In my brain, I knew it was going to get better. Sure enough, each day it seemed to get a tiny bit better until it was gone (after three months or so). Back then, I didn't obsess over it then because I believed it was just part of my healing and I expected it to get better.
Seriously, you just helped me tremendously! Thank you!
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Default May 20, 2020 at 08:07 AM
  #4
Hey Nikdoug,

It sounds great that you can actually remind yourself of how you handled the problem before, and try to do it again, this time consciously applying the same approach.
Best of luck on your way!
A.
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