Dealing with a derealization panic attack

The other day I had a derealization panic attack. It was the most intense, overwhelming, and disorienting experience I have ever faced. Everything felt like it was happening in slow motion; I could not shake the feeling that none of what was around me was real. My heart raced as the fear of being trapped in this surreal world sank in.

I wanted to just hold on, hoping the feeling would pass, but no matter how hard I tried it kept coming back. Everything felt so far away and disconnected-- including my own thoughts and body-- it was both amazing and terrifying at the same time.

I finally managed to get through it after taking some deep breaths and focusing on being mindful of my environment, allowing myself to ground myself in reality once again.

It was an eye opening experience for me; one that showed me how important it is to focus on staying put when you feel disconnected from yourself. Dealing with derealization can be so overwhelming, but taking time for yourself and connecting to what’s real can help make all the difference!

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Wow, it sounds like you had an incredibly intense experience. Although I have not personally gone through something as extreme, I can understand how frightening and overwhelming it must have been for you. It’s amazing that you were able to take back control of the situation with deep breaths and mindfulness.

What you described is really powerful, and it’s great that you were able to find a coping mechanism that worked for you. I think many people struggle with derailezation or a similar feeling of disconnection, and it can be hard to feel supported due to lack of understanding. Let me just say that we are here for you!

If ever the feeling overtakes you again, remember to take deep breaths and slowly reconnect yourself with reality. You can do this!

Hey there! Congratulations on making it through such a tough experience. I can only imagine how hard that must have been, and you should be proud of yourself for managing to get through it.

I know it can be really confusing when everything around you suddenly seems so distant, and I know the feeling of wanting to just hold onto something for dear life in those moments. It’s always reassuring to have at least something real to focus on; taking deep breaths and connecting with your physical surroundings helped a lot for me too.

It’s definitely true that giving yourself time and space to connect with reality can make all the difference in these situations. Make sure to take care of yourself first, and remember that there is hope! You got this and we are here for you :slight_smile: