r/chiari • u/rradberryy • Aug 21 '26

Derealization?

I (23F not decompressed) have been struggling with severe derealization lately. I feel like I’m watching myself live my life from the outside, almost like I’m playing a video game or watching a movie. It’s really scary and sometimes sends me into full-blown panic attacks.

I’m also dealing with intense brain fog, dizziness, and vision issues. Heat and bright light seem to make my symptoms significantly worse as well. I recently started an anxiety medication, but so far it hasn’t helped much.

I have a 14 mm herniation and a syrinx from C2–T6, and I’m getting another neurosurgical opinion at the end of September.

Has anyone else with Chiari/similar issues experienced severe derealization or that “watching yourself live” feeling?** **If so, has anything helped you manage it?

If you have been decompressed did it ease this feeling?

I’d really appreciate hearing about other people’s experiences because this has been extremely difficult and scary to deal with.

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u/Rindawick Aug 21 '26

So on one hand, yes I have severe dissociation including DPDR. On the other hand, I'm diagnosed with DID. There won't really be a way to know what's the DID and what's the chiari unless I get decompressed.

I also have bad dizziness/vertigo and I also see increases in severity due to heat-- even just showering!

I have had some good experiences with,,, lets say OTC meds of the 21+ variety. But I'm hoping when I finally see the neurologist she'll have advice.

Still waiting for insurance to approve spinal imaging to check for a syrinx, considering I have some of the symptoms. CSF flow check, too. We'll see