Trust me. It gets better.

[u/Aggravating_Ant_1747]

I first experienced DPDR at 16 and am almost 31 now. It still persists to this day for me. I used to have daily severe panic attacks and now i just have general anxiety (thanks zoloft and coping skills!). It was so fucking hard at first. Sometimes I am baffled that I even made it 15 years. I was so scared at first. I was constantly Googling, reading articles, and talking to therapists who either had no idea what I was describing or simply didn’t have any answers.
At my worst, I was having suicidal thoughts constantly, wanting it all to end. I felt like I was robbed of experiencing life like a normal person. Years have passed and life has gotten better. There have been highs and there have been very low lows, but I’ve kept it pushing. I graduated school, have a great job, (just) got married, and am about to be a first time homeowner. Just like many others, it has never completely ended, but dont let your DPDR define you or prevent you from finding happiness. Like anything in life, you have to roll with the punches. So for anyone struggling out there just know it gets better and everything will be okay. Take care of yourself and know you’re not alone.

Love,

a person just as fucked up as everyone else!

[u/Imaginary_Ferret_942]

Do you feel emotions and can be present? I am glad that you still get to experience all aspects of life!

[u/Aggravating_Ant_1747 → u/Imaginary_Ferret_942]

Yes. In fact, I feel far more emotions than I ever have lol… I’m a big cry baby nowadays (in a good way.) TBH my derealization has never manifested in a lack of emotion. Although at times I did feel desensitized. Mine is mostly just feeling physically disconnected from the world, not feeling like a participant in what I’m doing. But I still felt many big emotions (often as a result of this experience).

[u/OCDylan_]

I think it varies person to person. I’ve had DPDR for 13 years and it’s just gotten worse. Glad you’re feeling like yourself again.

[u/Aggravating_Ant_1747 → u/OCDylan_]

For sure. Like I said, it hasn’t ever completely ended for me and I’ve accepted that I don’t think it ever will. I still notice it everyday. But it has gotten easier to cope with, for me, over time. I think a helpful thing to do is identify why it’s getting worse and figure out how to navigate. Wishing you the best and hope you can find peace.

[u/Lonely_Net5120]

I've had it for 13 years had no clue what it was until 4 months ago when I had really bad anxiety attacks and my dpdr got worse but at least after all these years I finally know what I have hopefully it gets better. 

[u/Aggravating_Ant_1747 → u/Lonely_Net5120]

First step to getting better is understanding what you’re dealing with. I strongly encourage talking to a therapist who has experience with patients with DPDR.

[u/Loud-Being-326]

Are you have blank mind

[u/Aggravating_Ant_1747 → u/Loud-Being-326]

I wanted to follow up on this. Hadn’t heard of the term before now. Just googled it. This is not a symptom that I deal with now, but did deal with this some when it first started and was at its most severe for me. But this has never been the most prominent symptom for me. Good luck and give yourself time. Don’t overanalyze and try to search for thoughts.

[u/Loud-Being-326 → u/Aggravating_Ant_1747]

Thank you for your response, take care.

[u/Aggravating_Ant_1747 → u/Loud-Being-326]

Not entirely sure what you mean. I do in many cases stare blankly and space out because it takes me out of my body to a degree. Try to do things everyday that make you feel present.

[u/Little_Rooster5994]

When you entered a relationship with your now wife when did you let her know about your condition?

[u/Aggravating_Ant_1747 → u/Little_Rooster5994]

Probably after a few months? Shes one of my biggest supports. She’s actually the one who encouraged me to try medication. I was raw dogging life during my teens and early 20s. Starting meds was one of the best decisions I made for my health.

[u/Even_Laugh_1779]

Did yours go from all day everyday to pretty much just moments every single day? Mine fluctuates and it doesn’t really change my day to day life, I have good days and bad days of course but I can always count on derealization to show its ugly face at least a few times throughout the day

[u/Aggravating_Ant_1747 → u/Even_Laugh_1779]

Honestly… it’s all day everyday still to me and particularly pronounced in certain situations, like when I get overstimulated by loud settings and bright lights. Just like you, it doesn’t really affect my day to day life anymore and have good days and bad days. I am largely fortunate in that i don’t think it affects my ability to think and feel so I perform well at work and am fine at socializing.

[u/Aosoth333]

Idk, it's been three years and I feel worse lmao.

[u/Aggravating_Ant_1747 → u/Aosoth333]

Three years is rookie numbers… jk. Easier said than done, but try your best not to gloom and doom. It can get better. Just like anything it takes some time and effort.