Cure For Panic Attacks Books And References

What Is Unreality, Depersonalization And Derealization?

There is a symptom of panic attack that is not well known. It is the feeling of unreality, also referred to by psychologists as depersonalization. Now, this sensation can be depressing and the sufferer often begins to feel that he is losing control of his faculties.

People with panic attacks often have the strange feeling of being detached to the world and reality. It is as if the world has become a surreal place, more like a projection of a film. This sensation can be disconcerting since the person is made to believe that his body is suffering from some permanent and serious damage.

Usually, depersonalization comes in unexpectedly. For example, while having a conversation with someone he begins to feel isolated and removed from reality. This feeling can leave a strong impression on the sufferer such that the effects can linger even after the experience.

This sensation is the result of delayed perception. Anxiety and stress generate certain chemical in your body that cause delay between experience and thought processes. The resulting chemical imbalance causes a delay in the transmission of information to the neurotransmitter sites in your body.

This kind of experience is akin to what you will feel when smoking marijuana. The difference, however, is that in marijuana, the person is not alarmed by the detached feeling because he is aware of what causes it but in case of a panic attack, the person is at a loss for an explanation on the root of this strange feeling.

This is referred to as depersonalization because the experience is not usually one to talk about. But for those who have gone through it, relax. It is nothing more than the side effect of excessive anxiety and will soon recede once the body regains its relaxed state. When the body eases it begins to dissipate the excess chemicals in the system.
Depersonalization can drive a person to paranoia and imagine all sorts of mental ailments. The reality is – there is nothing to worry about since the effects are temporary. After the frightening experience the person will inevitably regain his balance without any lasting damage.

Once depersonalization creeps in, there is really nothing one should do other than letting it pass by. Just shrug your shoulders off and relax. The quickest way to weather the symptom is to assume a fatalistic and calm attitude. That your body system will soon attain normalcy is a fact that is expected once you move out of the anxiety. Be patient, it will soon come to pass.

Adopt an attitude that all is well. Do not panic since panicking will just aggravate your condition. Consider depersonalization as a mere nuisance that will soon fade away and fast. Being detached is only due to the anxiety that is exacerbated by your fear that something in you has gone awry. If you brood on the sensation, you will surely feel strange. It can be uncomfortable, but don’t worry it will leave by itself if you don’t give it undeserved attention.

Don’t let personalization lure you into thinking that you are alone in this experience. Those thoughts are simply uncalled for. The more you can flow along with it, like a paper boat on a flowing stream, the faster you will recover. A change of attitude can make a lot of difference.

Once you successfully go over it, you will soon realize how silly it was to be so alarmed with nothing.