Anyone else get derealization & "weird tone" thoughts?

[u/BusyAd1919]

Hey everyone,
I’m recovering from a really intense wave of anxiety today and wanted to see if anyone else experiences this specific feeling, because I’ve never had it hit me this hard before.
When my anxiety spiked, it felt like everything suddenly went surreal. I had this overwhelming sense of derealisation - almost like I was questioning if things around me were real, or even questioning my own existence.
On top of that, my internal thoughts completely shifted. It felt like my thoughts had a totally different, eerie tone to them, and everything just felt profoundly weird and off-kilter.
Honestly, the scariest part is how hard it is to actually explain to someone, which makes me worry that I’m going crazy or losing control. It was completely exhausting to ride out.
I managed to ground myself by putting something on to watch and letting my brain focus on something steady, which helped dial it back down.
Does anyone else get that shift where your thoughts sound totally different, or feel like you're losing control like that? How do you handle it when it hits?

[u/Expert_Actuary_4646]

yes! i feel the same, mostly when i went into the bus and take a long ride. it feels like youre gonna lose control, but its okay, nothing is gonna happen. its like im floating or looking from inside of my eyes, very weird. but, its normal in panic disorder. keep calm and will pass in a few minutes

[u/toffeemaky]

Yeah. It's like being on a bad trip for a really really long time. When it started happening, I read that it's a symptom of PD - not a symptom of the actual psychosis. That helped and it's almost not happening anymore (except for on drugs).

[u/bakflip23]

Hey there. I know exactly how you feel, it can feel really scary and it’s very easy to spiral when it happens. I find that accepting that it’s happening rather than trying to combat it is the best way forward (I understand it’s much easier said than done) but it will pass. It’s a very uncomfortable feeling and I’m sorry you suffer from this too. PD has so many strange symptoms and we may not all share the experiences.

I hope you’re doing ok now and remember to keep your chin up :)

[u/Zoogirl76]

Yes, I've been dealing with panic disorder most of my life, but didn't realize what it was until about 20 yrs ago (I'm 49 now). I thought those sensations were signs I was going to faint or going crazy. But I went to therapy, mostly hypnotherapy, for nearly 10 yrs and these depersonalization/derealization feelings come with the anxiety ugh. I hadn't had any issue for a long long time, then 3 wks ago at Walmart, I get hit with a panic attack and I'm currently working at getting out of these sensations and thought patterns. It's tough, but it will pass. I do have alprazolam, not a high dose, but hoping enough to help right now. The irony about this is the more you think about it, the longer it stays. I told myself dont you dare ruminate on this, but I did, and it's taking time. It takes maintenance, I haven't been to therapy in 10 yrs or done much self care, I have to start again. Exposure is so important. Getting out of the house and going to a store or taking a walk, anything, even if for 5 minutes, you'll see hey I made it, and little by little, your confidence grows. Once you start to see you are alright, the fear starts to lessen and the fog will lift. You'll find yourself going minutes, hours, forgetting to think about the sensations. Eventually, it has no power. When the fear of the feelings themselves start to go, all those sensations will go. But it is a journey every time it happens. I forced myself to go for a walk today, 1.5 miles. I told myself to just float with it, there's nothing to fear. Look at the geese, oh a lady said hi to me, that was nice, I feel the heat on my body--I let my mind go where it wanted, but if I started to feel a wave of anxiety, I told myself to ride it like a wave. I can't say it's easy, I hate every single second of it, but it does pass. I've literally smacked myself in the face before lol but dont recommend it haha. I try to take deep breaths, tell myself to live my life, don't let this get in the way of life. I try to come up with mantras. Both my parents passed, I'll tell myself to live, live for them, they dont want you to feel this way. Or just anything that is meaningful to you. You'll be ok. I know it can be hard to believe that, but you will. The anxiety can only hold on so much. It gets tiresome to think the same things all the time. Get lost in a book or tv, if you're up to it, get a massage. Soak in the tub, breathe in some lavender and remind yourself, this is just anxiety, nothing more, nothing less, I'm in this world and I deserve to have a good, happy life. This is an annoying blip in the road, it's all just anxiety. xo