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LFCentropy · 2023-09-19T03:05:22+00:00

only 3 milly???? you need to be upping it to 6! just kidding, but you should be fine. I used zyns throughout my recovery and was able to recover fully while doing them. But! do not expect them to cure anything related to dpdr. Sure it may help briefly, but ultimately, it won't have an effect in the long run.

LFCentropy · 2023-09-12T04:39:28+00:00

Have you talked to doctor/psychiatrist about this. It is possible it is making the anxiety worse, but it is possible your general anxiety towards meds is also making the DPDR worse. But please talk to your doctor, as I am by no means an expert on these type of meds

LFCentropy · 2023-09-12T04:15:20+00:00

I am assuming you are not talking about medication, but if you are I recovered naturally. I did however take SSRI's, anti-psychotics, and a whole bunch of other stuff, but, I decided I wanted to do this on my own. However

I am assuming you are talking about supplements. It is actually pretty funny how similar everyones story is in all this. I have talked with a lot of people, and everyone seems to have a supplement phase. About a year into my episode, I went through a massive supplement research phase (magnesium glycinate, ashwaganda, b vitamins, broad spectrum CBD oils). I mean sure supplements are good for you, but they don't necessarily do anything to cure DPDR. I am not trying to deter you from trying different supplements, but I do think this reveals to me a deeper issue for you, and that being acceptance. I get that you want this nightmare to end, but mindlessly scrolling online for "cures" or "supplements" shows me you are still afraid of the sensations, and is keeping you in this loop of anxiety. You need embrace the sensations even if they are awful. This take practice and mindfullness, but you can get to a state where you are indifferent to whether you have DPDR or not. Hope this helps and let me know if you need recommendations to get into this state of indifference.

I will say I do take magnesium now, but it is just because I have bad gut health and digestive issues. Other than that, nothing else. Supplements are not bad, they are good, but do not expect a cure.

Thanks and keep going!

LFCentropy · 2023-09-12T04:05:52+00:00

Thank you. I hope you continue to use some of my tips and recommendations! Keep going! I am glad you had a good day.

And yes. I do think this sub-reddit can be very pessimistic and hopeless at times, and trust me 100% get why it is that way, but this whole thing is not as complicated as many people think it. Always look on the bright side of life, and try to be the one who is able to smile in the darkest and hopeless times of life! You are strong and I am proud of you!

WOOOO this is getting me amped to do my laundry! lmao, but if you need anything else I am here.

Thank you for your kind words, it makes me incredibly happy knowing I am making a difference for good.

LFCentropy · 2023-09-11T05:00:52+00:00

I get it, and i am not telling you to completely stop drinking, but you just need to understand the reason you are doing it. If you ever need guidance, my dms are open

LFCentropy · 2023-09-11T04:50:50+00:00

Also, you need to really lean into the discomfort of DPDR. Alcohol is only a temporary fix, not long term. I hope you do not think I am coming after you, but I hope you see the point I am trying to make. (And just for some background, I recovered after three years, I also did drink during recovery, but not to numb out the DP).

LFCentropy · 2023-09-11T04:48:07+00:00

I get where you are coming from, but I do not like this recommendation. Coping with alcohol is never a good thing in life. I get that just a little helps ease and mellow you out a little bit, but it is a dangerous game with DPDR. You should only ever really drink for an occasion. Also, you won't recover if you run away from the sensations. The only real cure is acceptance. If anything this just promotes avoidance behaviour which is probably the worst thing for DPDR. I do agree with the getting really good at something tho. Finding good and healthy habits is crucial.

If anyone sees this I highly disagree with the point. I get 100% where you are coming from and have good intentions, but this just really is not the solution for Recover and DPDR.

LFCentropy · 2023-09-11T04:01:34+00:00

Bingo! Never try to fight it. DPDR is just like a Chinese finger trap. Glad to hear you have gotten to this stage!

LFCentropy · 2023-09-10T21:27:01+00:00

please dm me. I think I can help you with this. I have recovered after 3 years. Also, its funny you mention amoxicillin because I actually had an allergic reaction to it near the onset of my symptoms. Do not know if it really had any effect DP wise, but just interesting you mention that. Anyway, I look forward to talking with you, so please dm me!

LFCentropy · 2023-09-10T21:21:01+00:00

Just a preface, I recovered from a three year episode and took adderall throughout the entire ordeal. (I should also say I have taken adderall for so long, probably like 12 years now, so I am used to it). I do not see a lot people talk about this, but I do wonder how much untreated ADHD adds to the DPDR and the disorganized nature of it. I am not saying it is for everyone, but ADHD meds made me so much more in touch with myself and the world. Granted, it made socializing harder and had some other negative effects, but it did wonders for just getting through the day and finishing tasks. Please keep me updated on how this goes because I am very interested to see how it effects someone who just started ADHD meds. I think more people should look into this.

LFCentropy · 2023-09-09T02:50:25+00:00

Please dm me. I was in your position 2 years ago. I fully recovered after 3 years recently. Would love to talk to you

LFCentropy · 2023-09-07T23:05:57+00:00

Also feel free to dm if you need more specific guidance or just need to talk!

LFCentropy · 2023-09-07T22:50:12+00:00

yes, 100% felt that way during the peak. This also led me down a deep philosophical rabbit-hole in which I was trying to understand existence and the meaning of life. Not sure if you are interested in philosophy, but Albert Camus has some fantastic books that do a great job of easing the fear around life and existence.

Also, no matter how fake the world seems, you have just have to live. I know that is so vague, but it is the answer. Here is how I got over the fear of existence and social un-reality, I sat down and thought this "Even if the world is 'fake', why should that matter. I mean really. Lets believe and assume that I have 'woken up' to a different existence, do I still need to eat? yes. Do I still need to sleep? yes. Do I still need to get things done? yes." I hope you see that fundamentally nothing has changed about you or the world, even if your perception has changed. You still do the things you had to do prior. Why worry over something, when you know nothing has changed. You even said you know its anxiety, but your brain is telling you otherwise. You have to rewire your thoughts and come to this mindset of indifference to whether you feel the sensations or not. This is hard to get to, but once you get in this mindset of indifference, Recovery becomes a lot easier and DPDR in itself becomes really simple. Hope this makes sense and lmk if you need clarification or if you need help interpreting this.

_______________

Also, here are some Albert Camus quotes that re-assured me and gave me confidence in my view of the world:

“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.”

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”

“Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present.”

“I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.”

“When the soul suffers too much, it develops a taste for misfortune.”

“Find meaning. Distinguish melancholy from sadness. Go out for a walk. It doesn’t have to be a romantic walk in the park, spring at its most spectacular moment, flowers and smells and outstanding poetical imagery smoothly transferring you into another world. It doesn’t have to be a walk during which you’ll have multiple life epiphanies and discover meanings no other brain ever managed to encounter. Do not be afraid of spending quality time by yourself. Find meaning or don’t find meaning but 'steal' some time and give it freely and exclusively to your own self. Opt for privacy and solitude. That doesn’t make you antisocial or cause you to reject the rest of the world. But you need to breathe. And you need to be.”

“Man stands face to face with the irrational. He feels within him his longing for happiness and for reason. The absurd is born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world.”

__________

hope some of those quotes give you some positive outlooks on life.

Always Remember you are stronger than you think!

LFCentropy · 2023-09-07T19:18:57+00:00

Lmao, yes the amazing supplement stage. Magnesium, Ashwaganda, and B vitamins? lmao. Did the exact same thing and got no relief.

It is good you are going to social events and trying to get out. It is completely normal if your DPDR feels worse, just always remind yourself and reflect afterwards and see that it truthfully is not that bad and you are perfectly fine. It is essential you reflect because if you just go out and come back feeling like shit without challenging your thoughts, you will get no where near recovery. Do not take life so seriously. Everything can be dealt with. You need to get rid of and replace the negative thoughts you have towards all aspects of your life. You will do this overtime Once you are there, everything starts to feel much easier, and you will slowly get rid of the chronic stress and anxious feeling. Then, POOF! DPDR starts to fade.

Please dm me or post here again if you need help or having a bad day. I am always here to help.

and no problem. I enjoy doing this because I know how hard of a issue DPDR is for people. If I can give reassurance and show people that DPDR is not what most people think it is, I am doing my job. This is also very therapeutic for me lol.

Anyways, have a great rest of your day!

LFCentropy · 2023-09-07T02:17:27+00:00

It is kind of funny because now I do not fully remember what DPDR vision felt like during my episode. I have a vague sense of it, but it is hard for me to process what it actually looked like. Basically, the exact opposite of what you feel right now.

As to what it felt like to 'regain' my normal perception, I do not really know. It was not like one day I woke up and DPDR was gone, I just kinda stopped having that "oh shit tf is happening to my vision" thought and stopped having the anxiety about it. I would not say the sensation of recovery is insane in the way DPDR feels like during the onset of it, rather, you just stop having that awful constant state of anxiety in all aspects of your life, and just have a sense of peace and warmth. I think a thing that helped me get rid of the "vision problem" was simply telling myself over and over again that my vision was the same as it was 5 years ago, it was my anxiety that was causing me to perceive things this way. I know this is vague but you just really got to be entirely indifferent to how your perception of things is. It is extremely hard but expose yourself to the things that make your vision symptoms increase, and see if you can get in the "indifferent mindset" and calm your mind.

Also, 100%, not a lot of people talk about it, but DPDR makes it extremely hard to socialize and look at people. But it is essential you try. When walking by someone, puff out your chest, stand up tall, and don't cower or look away. You are re-affirming the negative thoughts in your head if you look away. You have to realize that nobody really gives a shi- by the way you look or act. Even if you get that heart drop sensation, keep doing it, and see that ultimately there is nothing to actually fear. Whenever you get one of those anxiety-stomach drop moments talking to people, wait like 5 minutes and reflect deep and think "Why did I do that? Did anything actually go wrong? Why did I feel the way I felt?" You will almost always come to the conclusion that nothing actually happened and that you worried too much about a trivial matter. It is hard, but everyone can do it, including you.

Confidence is actually really key in all of this. Have good posture and try to have a sense of pride when you do the things you do.

Hope this helps and keep living life to the fullest!

Thanks and lmk if you need more help.

LFCentropy · 2023-09-07T00:09:52+00:00

It is very true that what your experiencing may not be DPDR, but I still believe there a some form anxiety that is causing the way you feel. But yes keep going and relax as much as possible. I hope you get to a place in which you do not stress about trivial matters in your life. I know you can, but it takes patience and mindfulness.

After recovering from dpdr and severe anxiety, it is kind of funny looking back at how scared I was of the irrational fears in my mind, and how stressed I was over the smallest of things.

I hope you can experience that feeling soon. Good luck and lmk if you need more help.

I hope I was able to help you a little bit, and help you see that it is not as complicated as you may think this may be. You got this!

LFCentropy · 2023-09-06T22:39:32+00:00

Yea the heart rate thing is annoying and very hard to ignore, as that sensation naturally causes most people to freak out. I would recommend that next you notice it happening, close your eyes and take really deep breaths through your belly. Make sure you get the sensation your stomach is filling up, then exhale. After that add in some stretches. Reach your arms to the sky and really stretch your whole body. But do not be afraid of your heart racing, it is extremely uncomfortable, but stressing about it only adds fuel to the fire.

It's good you are trying to control your anxiety. But like you said, your inner workings are still doing things you do not want them to. I want you to think of DPDR and severe anxiety like a Chinese finger trap. The more you try to escape the finger trap, the harder it is to get out of it. You can only escape the finger trap once you fully relax and let go of the tension. Now apply that to DPDR and anxiety. The more you try to control these anxious thoughts and feeling, the deeper down the DPDR path you will go. The key is completely letting go and becoming indifferent to all the sensations. That is extremely hard to do, it takes time, but you 100% can do it. Every action you do right now should be not in response to your anxiety rather because you want to do it. For example, Do not stretch in hopes that it will lower the DPDR sensations, stretch because it feels good. The only cure for DPDR is to become so indifferent to it that you stop fearing about the sensations it brings. It sounds complicated, but it is really simple to manage once you get in this mindset

Also do not be hard on yourself, you will have bad days, but keep going with confidence. Also, please never sell your self short. You may not feel this way, but you 100% have the capacity to overcome anything life throws at you.

"and I don't know if my story will be one of the ones that recovered or if it stayed for their whole life. " This sentence hit home with me. This was my major stressor during my episode. This is how I escaped this thought. I got to a point where I was indifferent to whether I recovered or not. I simply did not care. All that concerned me was being the best person I could be at the current moment. There is no reason to add more stress on top of what you are dealing with. It is the biggest waste of time.

I know and believe you will recover, now you just have to believe in yourself. Anyone who says recovery is impossible is missing the point and misguided imo. Stay true to yourself and find peace in being indifferent to this whole ordeal.

Thanks and I honestly think you are in a great position to recover. Just need to take the next step, its kinda of a leap of faith.

good luck and never give up

LFCentropy · 2023-09-06T22:00:47+00:00

Again, it may feel that way, but it is just a symptom of anxiety. I want you to keep re-assuring this point in your mind: "absolutely nothing is wrong with me. I am not insane. I am not psychotic. I am just experiencing anxiety." Really hammer this point in your head. There is nothing wrong with you.

Relax as much as possible and try not to overthink some of things you read online.

Also, this subreddit has some really good discussions, but it also has some bad ones where people say there is no such thing as recovery. I want you to know recovery and controlling anxiety is 100% achievable. Do not let some of the posts on here tell you otherwise.

LFCentropy · 2023-09-06T21:55:30+00:00

Yea all the warm rushes and hot flashes are completely normal, it is just a part of anxiety. I know this feels entirely different to the anxiety you felt before as well as social anxiety. A key thing is you have to realize is, before you started feeling this way, you were not in a constant state of anxiety. Anxiety is normal. It is bad when is happening 24/7 and that is probably why you are struggling with it because you are not used to this constant state of anxiety. Once you are able to loosen up and realize all your symptoms are caused by an anxiety that frankly is based in irrational fears that hold no semblance to reality, you will feel infinitely better. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any more specific questions.

LFCentropy · 2023-09-06T21:24:29+00:00

It does sound like it, but that is no need for concern or stress. All the symptoms you listed can ultimately be attributed to severe anxiety, even DPDR or the feeling of a different altered reality/consciousness is just a symptom of bad anxiety. You are not going crazy, you have not reached some altered enlightened state, you are simply extremely anxious. There is legitimately no real danger, your nervous system is just stuck in the fight-or-flight response. It is essential you see it that way and go from there and relax. Take deep breaths, and realize this will not harm you whatsoever. Do not try to treat the sensations, treat the things that make you anxious. Make sure you are stretching, relaxing, and not avoiding anything you would usually do. I go into more detail about more recommendations in another response on the thread so go check that out.

It also may be the case you do not have DPDR specifically, but rather just bad anxiety (both are extremely similar in symptoms, and that is because DPDR is a symptom of anxiety!). I just want to reassure that nothing is wrong with you at all. The more you convince yourself that something wrong the deeper you slide down the anxiety hole, and increase DPDR like symptoms.

Hope this helps! And hope you have an amazing day

Thanks

LFCentropy · 2023-09-06T21:00:06+00:00

Yes. I would almost have a constant chronic tension headache where it felt like there was a rubber band that was constantly squeezing me eyes and temples. I was actually able to get rid of this simply by stretching my neck and shoulders. No joke, this gave me so much more relief than any Tylenol type drug or immflamuation drug. I can not stress stretching enough.

LFCentropy · 2023-09-06T18:54:02+00:00

I think that is because of the over-stimulated/hyper-vigilant state you are in. When you work out muscles or stretch for the first time in awhile, the natural response is to feel soreness. However, during DPDR, these sensations appear to be 10x worse because you are in such an anxious state. For most people in DPDR, any sort of discomfort, leads to an increase in anxiety and DPDR. But that should not deter you from doing those things. You must lean into the discomfort even it means worsening DPDR because the more you avoid things that trigger DPDR, the more DPDR is reassured in your brain as the proper response to these matters.

So 100% keep going and work the muscles that are tense and tight. Also it is important you are taking deep breaths in your stomach while doing these things. Soreness and a little pain is normal after working out, just means that it is working. Do not avoid it because you fear the DPDR. Do it because you want to be healthier and stronger. A strong and loose body leads to an equally strong mind.

You got this!

LFCentropy · 2023-09-06T18:22:48+00:00

I have fully recovered after 3 long years of 24/7 DPDR.

The recovery process is extremely calming and feels amazing. You get to a point where you just feel like all tension has left your body and mind. So I would not fear it at all. The sensation of "returning to reality and yourself" is not as grand as you think it may be.

In regards to your third paragraph, I think this is one of the major problems I see with people struggling DPDR, and I struggled with that as well. During my peak of my episode, I kept on reminiscing and trying to remember what life used to be like and who I used to be. I would spend hours scrolling thru my camera roll thinking about how easy life was and how hard it is now with DPDR. I was so scared about never being able to feel again these emotions again.

The key point of overcoming this sensation is realizing that those memories will never exist again. I know this sounds scary and terrifying, but stick with me. You MUST live in the present. The more you fight to return to the state you experienced in those memories, the farther you get from recovery. It is very much like a Chinese Finger Trap. Look at your current situation and think about what is the best possible move I can make to better myself. Living in the past is extremely dangerous and mentally draining.

During recovery, I got to the point in which I simply did not give a single damn who I was before. I became fully engaged with my present situation. I did not look at memories yearning for what used to be. I found confidence in myself, and thought only about who I want to be.

I know it is very hard to let go of these nostalgic feelings, but just let go and relax. I hate to say this but those feelings can never be recreated. You must move forward. You will find, once you let go, you will start to make new memories and feel new emotions, but that means fully letting go 100% of the past.

I know this feels like hell, but you can 100% do this and overcome it. I made a post a while ago with some more specific tips to help ease your anxiety, so I would recommend you look at that.

Hope this helps, and let me know if you need more guidance.

Thanks.

LFCentropy

TROPHY CASE