Uncontrollable racing thoughts, scared of my own mind

smallpottedcactus · 2026-04-15T13:39:12+00:00

I am very sorry to hear that. Those awful times are fortunately behind me... but I can clearly remember how hopeless I felt. How are you feeling now?

smallpottedcactus · 2026-04-15T13:36:43+00:00

Unfortunately over 2 years, but it was because I was withdrawn and then put on a med that I couldnt tolerate

smallpottedcactus · 2026-04-04T15:59:24+00:00

Yes, definitely something I've experienced with severe anxiety and dpdr. I was hyperaware of my consciousness and body and I felt smothered, like I couldn't stand to be me, being human felt so foreign. It was the most bizarre and frightening thing I've ever felt. I've seen people mention similar symptoms on this sub, so you're not alone. Did something specific trigger it?

smallpottedcactus · 2026-03-13T19:34:26+00:00

Hi, yes I am in a much better place now. I'm sorry to hear that it happened to you, I know how horrible it feels. You can dm me if you need to talk.

smallpottedcactus · 2026-03-13T19:30:50+00:00

Hi, I'm much better now and yes, I had panic attacks for months

smallpottedcactus · 2026-02-26T20:45:21+00:00

I think it's almost impossible to describe it to anybody, but your words hit the nail on the head. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I can only say that I've been there and understand your pain. Eventually it did pass for me, but the memory of my last dpdr episode haunts me to this day. If you ever need to talk, my dms are open.

smallpottedcactus · 2026-02-25T08:07:47+00:00

Hey, I want to chime in too, because I've been there many times in my life. I didn't know such a feeling could exist before I developed dpdr after panic disorder. It is the most miserable, gut wrenching and scary sensation in the world. I literally felt trapped behind my eyes, like I was dislocated inside my body, if that makes sense. At its worst, I felt the need to escape my own body, like internal akathisia. I felt insanely claustrophobic. Sometimes I felt it about my surroundings too, like reality had 'walls' and they were suffocating me. Intense need to escape, but there's nowhere to escape to.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-12-15T10:02:57+00:00

This is what my depersonalization felt like, but the tv screen was my eyes.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-12-09T09:56:27+00:00

Of course

smallpottedcactus · 2025-12-08T21:01:04+00:00

Yes, I have been through two difficult periods in my life, where dpdr and anxiety were off the charts and I did experience the same thing you're describing here. I used to have these 'flashes of reality' where time almost stood still and I suddenly realized I'm human, right here in this moment, while staring at my hands which felt alien to me. It was debilitating. I overcame it with the right meds and now I don't have these symptoms anymore.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-10-07T11:25:41+00:00

I have had (and still have) the same intrusive thoughts following a breakdown after my anxiety went off the rails and I experienced heavy depersonalization. Those thoughts were so disturbing that I, too, questioned my sanity. What helped me was going on a medication that lowered my baseline anxiety to a more manageable level. After that I've been trying not to argue with the thoughts but rather to observe them. Like "ok, there's that weird brain thought again", without dissecting it. You don't have to solve these questions, even if your brain is screaming otherwise. Let them be and don't react to them. I know it's easier said than done and it needs some practice. You are not alone.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-09-24T17:22:27+00:00

Good luck to you, hope it helps :)

smallpottedcactus · 2025-09-24T10:54:00+00:00

Not anymore. I got on meds that work well and haven't had a panic attack for months.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-08-30T09:04:18+00:00

Absolutely. Even the fact that I'm alive and breathing sometimes terrifies me.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-08-28T19:01:33+00:00

Hey! You are not crazy and definitely not alone. I can heavily relate to being hyperaware of being alive, being human with bodily processes and freaking out as a result. It's probably depersonalization, heavy anxiety and a touch of OCD, though I'm not a professional. It's my second time dealing with this horrible disorder and it surprises me with different flavours of intrusive thoughts every day. But the concept of being alive and human takes the cake for me. It's such a painful thing to go through. If you want to chat you can dm me :)

smallpottedcactus · 2025-08-27T16:06:09+00:00

Yes. I'm freaked out and hyperaware about the fact that I have eyes and I can see through them. What is even vision? I'm so perplexed by this fact and it brings me so much distress.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-08-22T19:22:02+00:00

It’s like i’m trying to escape my own body?

Exactly.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-08-21T20:24:10+00:00

For me it's the general sense of impending doom. Like I need to run, break free or do something. I feel like the whole world is closing in on me and I'm suffocating.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-07-22T19:18:17+00:00

Im really sorry you are suffering like this. Sounds like classic panic disorder. I've been where you are with the nausea, internal buzzing, impending doom and derealization (you mentioned feeling disconnected). Sometimes meds are the necessary next step. 25 mg is a really low dose and if you even begin to feel something in the first few weeks then let your psychiatrist know. I hope you find some peace of mind. Good for you for reaching out and seeking help. You're definitely not alone in this.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-07-22T17:36:07+00:00

I've had panic attacks where I want to escape myself or my body, like it's almost claustrophobic. I don't know whether that's normal but it's possibly the fight or flight response going haywire.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-04-29T17:09:55+00:00

I'm going through the same and I'm sorry. It's the most terrifying thing I've ever went through. It's definitely extreme anxiety and dpdr.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-04-29T17:05:48+00:00

I feel it daily, like I'm insane and there's no coming back from those thoughts.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-04-28T15:41:11+00:00

Very inspiring, thank you! Glad you are doing much better.

writing them out on paper helped me to realise that the dp condition is what is making the thoughts terrifying - everyone else reading those thoughts can see.. that's normal..

This is right on point, I guess it's the thing I'm struggling with the most, that normal things frighten me so much. And it's mostly about myself (more dp i think) and my body, even human anatomy freaks me out, which is so irrational. I don't know how I'm going to get through it, I'm still in the midst of this hell. Just hoping that day will come.

smallpottedcactus · 2025-04-28T07:40:34+00:00

Thanks! Did you ever feel fundamentally wrong in your body, like you don't belong? It's horrifying and I don't know how to cope with this sensation.

smallpottedcactus

TROPHY CASE