For the past week or so, I keep having episodes of where I feel as though I am completely slipping away from reality. I suffer from panic attacks, which have become more frequent over the past year but this is different to them. I will be sitting there and suddenly I feel as though I’m suddenly detached from my body, I feel like I’m in a bubble which makes me feel as though I’m going deaf, I feel as though my body is trying to die and I’m being sucked out of it. I have an intense fear of death so when this happens I feel I feel claustrophobic and start to panic and hyperventilate which makes everything feel worse. It even makes me convince myself I’m having a heart attack and makes me feel like I can’t use my arms. I have to sit alone in my room and calm myself down, and wait for it to pass.
It seems to be triggered when I feel stressed or feel irritable. I live with my boyfriend in a small flat, and because of lockdown I feel like the flat is getting smaller and smaller. He’s brilliant though, he knows what to do when I’m feeling this way. He’s also making the effort to stop stressing over small things, as I also get triggered when I worry he’s going to get angry (I have bad experiences from my past and childhood with angry and abusive men).
I just want to know is this anxiety or something else? Am I dying or have a stroke/heart attack impending? I really could use some reassurance! Thank you.
what you are experiencing is unbelievably common. You may not have known that but it’s true. And that includes me as well. The feeling of being detached from your body, of being in a bubble etc. is called depersonalization. This is when your body is trying to block out the world because your level of anxiety is very high. It’s a protective mechanism even though it feels very strange and can be scary. Just so you know, it’s not going to hurt you.!! I have had it on and off for years but haven’t had it in a very long time and I want you to know that I am in my 50s now and I’m doing very well. So I just wanted to let you know that because this is not going to hurt you or cause you to die. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.
The fact that you had a difficult past with men abusing you could have a lot to do with what’s going on with you now. Sometimes we try to repress the past but it expresses itself as anxiety and weird symptoms from anxiety.
You are not dying! You have unmanaged anxiety and stress. if it stays around a while you can do a virtual counseling session which can be very helpful.
its Great that you have a supportive boyfriend. That helps a lot.
when you feel really stressed and panicky, I have a great short thing for you to listen to that wall completely calm down everything. It’s on YouTube. Search for something called stop panic attacks now. Then scroll down to one called don’t panic. It is in black bold letters. Get comfortable and be in a quiet environment and then listen to what she says and follow along. It’s not long but it really is great. There’s also all kinds of meditations on YouTube for anxiety. I listen to them every night.
of course I always tell people to get their regular physical check up at least once a year with their doctor just to make sure everything’s doing well. Aside from that, try not to take life too seriously, do little things that make you laugh and smile even if you are cooped up and can’t really go anywhere. Play a card game or boardgame with your boyfriend, turn on a funny movie, go for a walk, take up a craft, etc. don’t forget to laugh and smile! it won’t be long before will be able to go out and do whatever we like so just hang in there and trying to keep busy. Take care!
I can relate , same expierence for me