Spaced out 24/7

[Nichola]

Where do I begin, how do I put it into words? Its a spaced out not really here, not feeling in control of the body type of feeling. You know when you think really deep about a task you do/take for granted you have trouble doing it because you thought too much about how to do it, its like that - I guess. I've read plenty of self-help books and it is probably desensitisiation but does it normally happen every day, every hour, every minute?

I've been suffering with anxiety for the past couple of years on and off. This strange spaced out feeling used to be infrequent but now its constant. I don't feel safe driving, I feel uncomfortably wherever I am, I have trouble holding conversations because I feel I'm not there and can hear myself talking but not knowing how I'm talking (if that makes sense).

It gets worse in the evening from about 5.30pm and then gets progressively worse. I have trouble eating meals in the evening because I feel so on edge. My neck and head ache through tense raised shoulders. I really don't know what to do now. Its out of control and I don't know how to stop it.

Does this make sense to anyone? I suppose by typing this I've answered by owned query, relax more and don't think about it! easier said than done.

Has anyone tried hypnotherapy - do my thoughts need retraining???? questions, questions, questions - my head is full of questions and worry!

[carldourish]

There's no harm in going for hypnotherapy, all good hypnotherapists will include a self-hypnosis lesson. Which in turn you can use to support your relaxation.

Carl

[Tector Gorch]

Hi Nichola,

I know where you're coming from. I've been suffering from anxiety for about 4 months now, and although almost all of the physical symptoms have gone away now I get this weird spacey feeling almost constantly.

It's SO hard to put it into words exactly, but it's like I feel hyper aware of myself, my body, my speech, my actions. My head feels sort of woolly and fogged, but it's not a headache as such. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing things back to front, or the wrong way round, like my left hand and right hand are muddled up.

It gets worse as the day wears on, and I think this might be due to mental tiredness, working on a computer all day and stuff - I'm pretty physically fit, so I don't feel physically tired.

But the good news is that it seems to be getting slightly better each week, so hopefully if we accept this feeling, don't be afraid of it, it'll eventually fade completely.

Face, accept, float, let time pass - don't be afraid.

Tector

[blossom]

From Blossom. I read your message about a cotton eool head, and I sypathise with you as I get them so often, I have suffered with anxiety for many years, Sometimes, I am out, but not out if you can understand me.
I find if I am on the computer a while, I get the stiffness in the neck come followed by the cotton wool unreal heads, I agree they are most distressing.

I find myself taking panadol for them, even though it isnt a headache,
Wonder what causes them, I am afraid to go out with them. I am also agoraphobic. All best wishes from Blossom x

[vernon]

Hi Nicola, sorry you are feeling so bad but believe me I have been there and it does go in time, it goes without you realizing it. I have suffered on and off now for about 40 years but when I look back I have always been a nervous type even as a child. I have had what you are feeling now in fact I am feeling that at the moment but mainly only when I wake and in the first few hours of the day. I have had lots of good years between anxiety and bad agoraphobia but it does go. Two years ago was my worst time for many years I was waking fearful and really shaking bad 24/7 it was hell, but I did stop drinking at that time after 40 years of heavy and daily drinking, so I suppose that made my nerves a lot worst at that time. I started drinking at about 16 as I realized after drink I lost my fears and could go anywhere but then over the years I had to have drink just to live towards the end of my drinking days where hell never ever could I even go to bed without a drink. Well after a year of stopping I did start feeling much better and started doing things and enjoying it more than I can remember. I do have a bit of anxiety and shakes etc coming back now but when I think about it think the long dark nights don’t help, dark when we get up and dark just after 4pm so we cant get into the garden or anything to try and work it off. Anxiety to me seems to be different every time it returns but they do go and you then wonder what made them go. Anxiety also has different symptoms every time it returns that’s why you have these horrible feelings this time. As you said keeping busy and trying to forget it is easier said than done but I do think this is the only way. I tried hypnosis when I was really bad and desperate but it didn’t really do anything for me, maybe the hypnotherapist I had wasn’t very good, but I did find self hypnosis and relaxation CD's helped. Well hope you can find some help here on this forum and hope you feel better soon. Take care. Vernon

[desperate]

Try reading this:

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Anxiety/christine/articles_relaxation_techniques_2.htm

I found the tree thing helps!

Sarah

[Meg]

D/Personalisation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2304)
derealisation/depersonlisation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2512)
Hi new member mom w/ panic and dp/dr (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1239)
Disassociation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2732)
when will this feeling leave? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2971)
FEELING SPACED! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4079)
?Derealisation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4682)
My mind and depersonalisation (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5345)
Derealization (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5523)
Surreal, Unreal, Spaced-Out, Derealization etc (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5569)
Weird Feelings in Mind (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5622)
Feel Weird and Confused (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5833)
Is this Depersonlization or something worse? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6009)
Anyone got any positive feedback on DP/DR? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6044)


Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

Your anxiety is the human representation of the pictures that you paint using your many vivid colours of revolving and reoccurring thoughts.
How big is your gallery ?

[Nichola]

A big thank you to all that have commented in relation to my topic. It is reassuring that others have these feelings and that its not just me.

Trying to explain these feelings to someone who has not suffered with anxiety is hard, they look at you in a strange way and just don't understand.

Its good to communicate with like minded people. So again a massive thank you.

Nichola