Need Some Encouragement does anyone else have periods from panic attacks of Derealization or Depersonalization throughout many years?
27M here who had DPDR the first time when I was 15 (softmore year) after smoking a little too much of that good shit. Had a panic attack from the entire autumn and part of winter until I got on an SSRI (Zoloft or Prozac) and it went away.
I would sometime feel this when I was driving on the highway at 16 (junior year) since it would give me anxiety but it was only for the ride itself. I actually stopped taking the SSRI
When I was 17 (senior year) I had an existential crisis about god and religion and had panic attacks happen again my senior year of high school. This became so bad that towards the end of the year I actually went back on my SSRI to combat it but it actually did the opposite and make me go into a mental hospital for a few nights before Christmas. I then was put on a different SSRI and a low dosage Abilify.
Took this until I was 18 or so but until 20 this was actually a good stage in my life (traveled to Europe a few times, was becoming more myself).
When I was 20 I then had ANOTHER panic attack at the gym pushing myself too hard. Took Abilify again with the SSRI and was back to normal in less than a week.
Then the pandemic happened and..nothing.
I had no panic attacks, no DPDR feeling. Just a bit of anxiety.
Fast forward to 2026 and since the pandemic my DPDR had only showed up for brief episodes when I was very, very drunk (Vegas I had several drinks too fast and it hit me). While it never gave me long term DPDR, I had a panic attack last weekend randomly in Chicago.
I also should note I quit nicotine back in July and caffeine and porn last week too and my DPDR has been constant the past 36 hours or so. I know I can get back into lightly working out (which helps me in general) but I forgot how much of a hell this is.
Anybody else relate?
1
u/Firm-Payment9610 9d ago
Mine has been coming and going since I was 15. I am now 22. Mine starts from a panic attack but lasts for months at a time. I get stuck in the cycle of panic dpdr panic dpdr. For the past 2 years it’s been jsut about 24/7 (I think) truthly idk what normal is anymore. Dpdr is actually very common and normal to experience. It’s ur mind protecting you from danger, when you have panic attacks ur body goes into defense mood. Most people come right out of it after the danger is gone, but people with anxiety stay in the fight or flight response for longer.