When you feel like a stranger in your own life, it’s hard to go on as normal. Even small things can feel like monumental challenges. It’s important to remember that these feelings are temporary and will get better. Learning how to cope with derealization and depersonalization is essential when these feelings become debilitating. These conditions happen when the brain struggles to understand what is real and what is not. Derealization makes the world seem vague and unreal, while depersonalization makes you feel disconnected from your own self. They both result in an inability to see yourself or the world as it really is, which can be extremely distressing for anyone who experiences them.
Why Does Nothing Feel Real?
The truth is, nothing feels real. Because the definition of ‘real’ is the one that prevails in our world according to the laws of nature, and our sense organs, everything we have in front of us and we feel all around us is only an illusion. Everything your family, friends, the people you see every day, your beloved ones all this is an illusion. The only thing that’s real and substantive is God (Allah) who created everything. Everything else is an illusion: your life and body, this paper you’re holding, everything it all only seems to be there because Allah has created it as such. So when you’re saying that nothing feels real, what you should be saying is that nothing exists except Allah who’s the only one who’s real and substantive.
How To Cope With Derealization And Depersonalization?
Talk to Someone You Trust
If you can, try to find someone you trust and can talk to about your symptoms. Maybe you have a friend or family member who has experienced anxiety before and can understand what you are going through. Maybe you have a therapist you can talk to in confidence. When you talk to someone you trust, it can really help you get your feelings out and express what you’re going through. It can also help you to clarify and make sense of what you’re experiencing. When you have anxiety, you may feel as though you are going crazy. It can be incredibly helpful to be able to talk about what you’re going through with someone who is non-judgemental and who can provide you with an outside perspective.
Exercise
Exercising is a great way to help regulate your mood and manage your anxiety. Anxiety is often described as feeling energized, tense and wired up. When you exercise, you flood your body with chemicals called endorphins that can help you to relax and feel more at ease. Exercising, particularly doing high-intensity workouts such as sprinting, can also release natural dopamine which can help you to feel happier and less anxious. Exercising may not be the best idea if you are experiencing a panic attack, but it is a great way to prevent future episodes. If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, try to build exercise into your daily routine. If you can’t exercise outside, you can always do some exercises indoors.
Meditate
Meditation is a great way to help regulate your mood and manage your anxiety. It can help you to become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, and also to control your attention so that you can choose where to focus your attention. This can be particularly helpful when you are experiencing derealization and depersonalization and your sense of self feels disconnected. For example, mindfulness meditation can help you to develop your ability to focus on one thing at a time and to observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance. This can be helpful when you are experiencing the anxiety symptoms of derealization and depersonalization, as it can help you to make sense of your experience and to gain perspective. Meditation can be helpful for almost anyone, but it’s especially helpful for people who experience anxiety and stress. It can help you to relax, manage your emotions, and find a sense of calm. Different types of meditation suit different people, so it’s a good idea to try a few until you find one that works for you. You can meditate while sitting, standing, walking, or even moving, and you can use your breath as an anchor while you do it.
Go Out in Nature
One of the best ways to cope with derealization and depersonalization is to go out in nature. Being around green, growing plants and trees can help to ground you and allow you to reconnect with your senses. Although it may not make sense to you, it can help to go somewhere outside where you can be surrounded by plants and trees. It may seem strange and arbitrary, but nature can often have a calming and tranquil effect on people who are experiencing anxiety. If you can, try to spend time in a park or garden, or even just go for a walk in the woods. Being outside can help you to feel more grounded and connected to the world around you.
Write About Your Feelings
Writing your feelings down is a great way to process and make sense of your experiences. It is often not safe or appropriate to talk to people while you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety. Writing down your feelings can help you to process them, make sense of them, and make them less overwhelming. It can also be helpful to use your writing as a way of connecting with yourself and making sense of who you are. Writing is a great way to get your feelings out of your head, go someplace safe, and transform your emotions into words. Writing can be a really helpful way to process feelings of anxiety and make sense of what you’re going through. It’s great because you can choose whatever medium works best for you, whether that’s pen and paper or typing on your computer. It’s also a very accessible and cost-effective form of therapy, and you can do it whenever and wherever you want.
How To Deal With Anxiety When Nothing Feels Real?
When anxiety is the cause of derealization and depersonalization, it’s important to remember that these feelings are temporary and are caused by anxiety. When you feel detached from the world around you, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to coping, but there are a few things you can try.
- Break down your goals: When you’re struggling, it can be hard to see the wood for the trees. Break down your goals into smaller bite-sized pieces, and then work towards them step-by-step. This will make it easier to stay focused, and it will help you to see that small progress is still progress.
- Get moving: Exercise is a great way to clear your mind and get those endorphins flowing. It can also help you to sleep better at night. If you don’t feel like going to the gym, there are plenty of things you can do at home, including many yoga poses and mindfulness exercises like breathing exercises and guided imagery.
- Try CBT techniques: Many CBT techniques can help reduce anxiety. One of the most helpful is to identify, challenge, and replace unhelpful thoughts.
- Avoid self-destructive behaviours: It can be tempting to self-medicate when you’re feeling anxious, but it’s important to remember that alcohol and drugs can make anxiety worse. They can also make it harder to deal with derealization and depersonalization.
Final Words
These feelings are scary, but it’s important to remember that they are not permanent. They can be triggered by anxiety and stressful situations, but they will get better when you bring your anxiety down. You don’t need to go through it alone. Reach out to friends and family, and remember that you are not crazy. You are simply experiencing these distressing feelings. There is help out there, and you will get better.
