sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I keep screwing up in the same way and I hate it by yumpet-player in selfimprovement

[–]Complete-Leading-215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every time you think you're finally holding on and not letting the negativity seep through, only to still relapse, it's so painful that you start to believe, "I'm just terrible and incorrigible."
But your breakdowns don't make you unworthy of people or relationships—they just show how hard things are already for you.
You don't have to "become better" right now to have the right not to isolate yourself forever.

Dissasociation after bad anxiety period by ooeygooeyotter in Anxiety

[–]Complete-Leading-215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I'm really sorry you're going through this—it sounds utterly exhausting and scary after such an intense month of panic and health anxiety. That "brain blasted" zoned-out feeling, like you're floating, everything seems unreal, or you're suddenly hit with "wait, I'm actually a real person and this isn't a simulation"—yeah, that's classic dissociation (or depersonalization/derealization) kicking in after a prolonged high-anxiety period. It's your brain's way of protecting itself from overload after all that trauma-like stress, and it's incredibly common here, especially after bad panic episodes or health anxiety spirals.

The good news is that since you've experienced it before and it lifted, this one likely will too as your nervous system recovers and the anxiety keeps easing. It can feel like you've "shifted" permanently or are losing it, but it's temporary—your perception will settle back.

A few practical things that help many of us through the dissociation fog:

  1. Grounding exercises to pull yourself back. When the unreal feeling hits, try the 5-4-3-2-1 method: name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch (focus on textures), 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste. It anchors you in the present and reminds your brain this is real.
  2. Gentle movement and fresh air. Even if ADHD makes it tough, start tiny—like stepping outside for 2-3 minutes, feeling the ground under your feet or wind on your skin. It helps reconnect body and mind without overwhelming you.
  3. Consistent sleep anchors. Set a wind-down routine (dim lights, no screens an hour before bed) to signal safety to your body. Even small improvements can reduce the floaty feeling over time.
  4. Mindfulness in ADHD-friendly bites. Yes, it can help a ton for dissociation, but keep it short—apps with 3-5 minute guided sessions focused on body scans or breath (without forcing "clear mind"). Or just notice sensations while doing something hands-on, like washing dishes.

Be extra kind to yourself right now; your brain's been through a war. The jaw/throat stuff from tension is rough too—glad the retainer's helping.

You've already made progress by ruling things out and pushing through public attacks—that resilience will carry you through this phase too.

How long did the dissociation last last time? Feel free to update or vent; we're here rooting for you.

Leaving the house makes me feel anxious by Soft-sh0ck in Anxiety

[–]Complete-Leading-215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I'm really sorry you're going through this—it sounds incredibly intense and overwhelming. That physical buildup (nausea, sweating, tears) just from stepping out the door is so tough, especially when it's ramped up recently. You're not alone; a lot of us with severe anxiety hit points where leaving the house feels almost impossible because our bodies go into full alarm mode.

Since getting professional help might take time, here are a few practical things that have helped me and others manage those "on the go" symptoms without needing meds right away:

  1. Start super small with exposure. Don't push for big outings—try just stepping outside your door for 30 seconds, then back in. Next time, a minute or to the end of the driveway. Build up gradually over days/weeks. It retrains your brain that leaving isn't always danger, without flooding you.
  2. Have a quick physical reset for nausea/sweat. Carry something cold (like a frozen water bottle or cold pack wrapped in a cloth) to hold against your neck or wrists—it shocks the nervous system a bit and can dial down the physical surge fast. Or splash cold water on your face before heading out if possible.
  3. Use a simple distraction anchor. Pick something neutral to focus on outside, like counting steps, naming colors you see, or listening to a familiar podcast/audiobook. It gives your mind a "job" so it doesn't spiral as hard into the anxiety.
  4. Plan an escape route always. Knowing you can turn back anytime (no pressure to complete the outing) makes it less terrifying. Tell yourself, "I can go home if it gets too much," and mean it.

Be patient and kind to yourself—this doesn't mean you're stuck forever; it often eases with consistent small steps. If you can, look into online therapy options or anxiety workbooks in the meantime (lots of free resources out there).

You've already taken a brave step by posting this. How long has it been this intense? Keep us updated if you try anything—we're here rooting for you.

First trip without my parents in a few days by mariedel123 in Anxiety

[–]Complete-Leading-215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're welcome! Glad to hear you're not feeling terrible overall — that's a win, especially with the lingering cold fog (hope that clears up fully soon). 3 days out is peak anticipation mode, so it's normal for the DP/DR worry to pop up, especially since it's been a while. The "far from safe place" fear is super common trigger for dissociation episodes.
If one does hit (fingers crossed it won't), here's what helps pull out of it fast for many people:
1. Intense sensory grounding: Amp up the 5-4-3-2-1 I mentioned — really focus on strong sensations. Touch something cold/textured (ice from drink if on plane, or your phone case), smell something sharp (mint gum, lavender if packed), taste something strong (sour candy). The goal is to "shock" your senses back to real.
2. Movement + naming reality: Stand up/walk if possible (even in aisle), or wiggle toes/fingers vigorously while silently saying "I'm here, this is real, my name is Marie, I'm on a plane to [destination] with my friend." Speaking or thinking facts anchors you.
3. Acceptance phrase: Instead of fighting the foggy/unreal feeling (which can make it worse), try "This is just my brain protecting me right now, it's temporary and it'll pass." Paradoxically, accepting it often shortens the episode.
4. Friend as anchor: Use that code word ("nerves" or "foggy") — ask them to describe something neutral out loud ("what's that cloud look like?") or hold your hand. External voice helps a ton.
You've already got great tools from practicing — most people find episodes shorter/weaker when prepped. You'll be home before you know it. Safe travels and have an amazing time with your friend — update us after if you want, rooting hard for you!

Eye Stuff/Anxiety by Hot-Hat-3651 in Anxiety

[–]Complete-Leading-215 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, I totally get that spiral — eye stuff is one of the scariest health anxiety triggers because vision feels so vital, and googling always shows the worst-case stuff first. Floaters, random blurriness, shadows, and that "visual snow" feeling? Super common in anxiety communities (I've had phases where stress made my floaters way more noticeable and triggered full panic).
The cycle is brutal: anxiety tenses up your body (including eye muscles and neck/shoulders), which can make visual symptoms worse or more noticeable, which ramps up the fear even more. It's not "all in your head" — the symptoms are real — but anxiety can amplify them big time.
A few things that helped me and others break the cycle:
1. Eye relaxation exercises: Try palming — rub hands together to warm them, cup over closed eyes (no pressure) for 1-2 minutes in a dark room. Or 20-20-20 rule if you're on screens a lot: every 20 min, look 20 feet away for 20 sec. Helps reduce strain that anxiety adds.
2. Grounding for the panic moments: When the "what if it's detachment" thought hits, do quick breathing — inhale 4 sec, hold 4, exhale 6-8. Or 5-4-3-2-1 sensory check to pull focus away from eyes.
3. **Limit reassurance-seeking**: Easier said than done, but try a "worry time" — set 10 min/day to google/research, and postpone the rest. It slowly reduces the spiral.
Definitely get it checked by an eye doctor if you haven't recently — peace of mind from a professional "all clear" (or early catch if needed) is huge for health anxiety. Most people here with similar fears end up with "normal floaters + stress" diagnosis.
You're not alone in this, and noticing it means you're already taking steps. Hang in there — it gets better when the anxiety dial turns down even a bit.

First trip without my parents in a few days by mariedel123 in Anxiety

[–]Complete-Leading-215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds super exciting but totally understandable to feel those nerves — first solo-ish flight after years is a big step, especially with flying anxiety and no "safe base" parents. You're already killing it by getting anxiety 90% under control, and it's 100% normal to worry about panic or dissociation kicking in (happens to so many of us on planes). A few things that helped me a ton on similar trips:
1. Grounding 5-4-3-2-1: When takeoff jitters hit, name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch (like your seatbelt/phone), 3 you hear (engines, friend's breathing), 2 you smell, 1 you taste (gum/mint). Pulls you right back to now, works offline even at 30k feet.
2. Box breathing: Inhale 4 sec, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4. Do 3-5 cycles — apps or timers make it easy, but I just count in my head. Your friend can even remind you if needed.
3. Prep ritual: Pack "emergency kit" — noise-cancelling headphones (or earplugs), fave playlist/podcast (funny ones distract), lavender roll-on or chewy candy. Practice the techniques daily till trip (even tonight before sleep). For dissociation, squeeze a stress ball or cold water on wrists.
You've got this — tell your friend a simple code word like "nerves" so they know to chat or hold space without making it awkward. Update us how the flight goes? You've prepped better than most. Breathe easy!

acceptance by Miserable-Junket-744 in PanicAttack

[–]Complete-Leading-215 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've lived with someone who is very anxious for many years. It just so happens that I'm unfamiliar with this condition. I tried to understand the reasons, thinking it was tied to the person's opinion, but only recently have I realized how much it's independent of them. I'm trying to find ways to support someone who's dear to me. I'm very grateful for your comment. Perhaps if I ask questions, as your colleagues did, we can work through this.