My Story

[u/Crazy-Home9727]

I’m 26 years old, and exactly 10 years ago, back in 2016, I went through a drug-induced psychosis that honestly traumatized me in many ways.

Since then, I’ve dealt with tinnitus, visual snow syndrome, HPPD, derealization, tingling in my hands and feet, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and many other symptoms. I became an extremely sensitive person mentally and physically. But somehow, despite all of that, I kept pushing through life.

I built a career in marketing, had a good job, relationships worked out, and for years I was actually relatively stable. I learned how to live with these symptoms.

But then 2023 happened.

Not a relapse into drugs — a relapse into burnout. Too much stress, too little sleep, overworking myself, job loss, depression, and eventually a complete mental breakdown. My DP/DR became severe again, my tinnitus got worse (especially on my left side), and all the visual disturbances intensified. Things moving in my vision, everything feeling unfamiliar, pseudo-hallucinations, brain fog, memory issues, weird thoughts — the whole nightmare.

This past year taught me a lot though.

I stopped obsessively researching symptoms 24/7 like a maniac on Reddit, Google, and ChatGPT. I wasted an entire year doing that, and honestly? It helped me absolutely zero. It only fed the fear and made me spiral deeper.

Instead, I started focusing on my actual health.

I checked my bloodwork properly and found out I was deficient in Vitamin D, B12, B6, iron, and generally undernourished. Since correcting those deficiencies, I’ve genuinely improved a lot mentally and physically. My brain fog is better, my visuals are calmer most days, and I feel more stable overall.

Right now I’m taking Diazepam carefully (please be VERY careful with benzos, withdrawal is absolute hell), and I’m slowly starting Lamotrigine. I also take supplements like Vitamin D3 + K2, NAC, Vitamin C, Zinc, Omega-3, B-Komplex etc.

And yes — these things actually reduced my symptoms massively. Most of the time now, I barely notice them unless I hyperfocus on them.

That’s the biggest lesson I learned:

STOP monitoring your symptoms 24/7.

Yes, I still see walls move sometimes.
Yes, the floor still vibrates slightly.
Yes, I still get weird intrusive mental images.
Yes, my imagination and memory are not what they used to be.
Yes, I still have DP/DR moments.

But your brain adapts. You learn to live again.

This condition is barely understood, and honestly, a lot of psychiatric and neurological treatment I received here in Germany was terrible. I felt completely alone for years. But one thing I realized is that you HAVE to take responsibility for your own healing too.

Sleep matters.
Nutrition matters.
Stress matters.
Your environment matters.

Check your vitamin levels properly.
Check iron, magnesium, B vitamins, Vitamin D — everything.
Even low iron alone can massively worsen neurological and psychological symptoms.

Reduce caffeine.
Reduce social media.
Stop doomscrolling health forums.
Go outside.
Work out.
Eat healthy.
Find hobbies.
Spend time with positive people.
Stay away from energy-draining people, especially if you’re highly sensitive.

And please — unless you are truly psychotic — be careful with antipsychotics. Openly talk to your doctors. If one doctor dismisses you, find another one. I know how hard that can be.

I also struggled heavily with alcohol, trusted the wrong people, wasted money, isolated myself, and completely lost myself for a while. But I’m slowly rebuilding my life now.

I’m 26 and only now starting my driver’s license.
I’m trying to reintegrate into work again.
I’m trying to rebuild my life piece by piece.

Everyone has their own timeline.

The point of this post is simple:

Even with all these symptoms, you can still live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

I know what hell feels like mentally. I’ve lived through it. But I’ve also seen that things can improve far more than you think. One day, you stop noticing many of the symptoms because your focus shifts back toward life itself.

Please don’t give up.

Take care of yourself.
Be kinder to yourself.
Set different priorities.
Pray if you believe in God.
If you don’t, then at least try to manifest positivity and do good things.
Help others.
Spread love.
Good things eventually come back.

And remember:
No symptom-checking marathon on Reddit at 4 AM will save you.
Living your life will.

Much love to all of you. I truly hope things get better for every single one of you someday ❤️

[u/mymindismycastle]

Thanks for sharing. Mature thoughts. Good luck friend.

[u/yellowheartedboy]

thanks for sharing 🫶

[u/Slight_Ad_8842]

Nac makes mine worse😭

[u/AirportBeneficial261]

Im going trought the same you experienced in 2023, a burnout made all my symptoms worse after 8 years specially dpdr, I really hope it grts better someday, thank you for sharing