I feel like i m in the same place he is but a diff

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Belongs to: Therapist reacts to Alice in Chains Nutshell
I feel like I’m in the same place he is but a different addiction and being fully isolated, dealing with depersonalization and derealization at a high level. Your words here helped, thank you!

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hey friend,
thank you for your vulnerability. depersonalization and derealization is such a tough thing to try to conquer and it’s understandable how it can be a heavy weight on your shoulders. i’m so thankful this song and reaction could help you feel seen and heard. especially when you’re going through the motions and not connecting with the world and life around you, you’re keeping strong and persevering so i’m really glad you’re here and can share your experience. isolation is also a difficult beast to slay on its own - you aren’t alone in this though and your heartsupport community sees you, understands you, and values you. sending you strength and love as you find balance and peace with the obstacles in your path to reach a better tomorrow.

love,
twix

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Hello!

That sense of isolation and derealization can be a tricky thing to deal with, that’s for sure. It’s kinda like being on a trip, and your mind is one place, and your body is another. It almost feels like a defense mechanism because if your mind is one place, and your body is taking any sort of abuse, you’re not gonna process it. That’s one thing I had realized it when I was dealing with my own bouts of derealization. It felt like an autopilot. It took a LOT for me to slow my mind down, and music was key in that. ESPECIALLY AIC. I grew up listening to them, and listening to all those bands from a point in time where I was in a much better headspace really took me back to those times and calmed me. It was almost like a neurological realignment.

I’m glad Taylor’s words helped! Every video we put out, we hope that you take at least one thing away from it <3

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Struggling with addiction and being isolated is such a battle. Especially when you’re hitting high levels of depersonalisation or derealisation.
It’s like all these moments, minutes and seconds keep passing and you have no awareness of how it passed or what you were doing.
It’s like your mind is so used to there being chaos and having to block that out that it just does it automatically just in case.

Finding people who understand and who connect through that is something incredible. It’s like this breath of relief that you’re not alone.
I’m so glad you found something to relate to and that you’ve found a connection even if it’s not someone physically present. We still unite and stand side by side in our journeys.

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Hi there,

You have been courageous in expressing your emotions. Music can help us understand why we feel in a certain way. Feeling lost and confused is okay when struggling with depersonalization and derealization. There will always be someone supporting you, just like Heart Support.

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Hello Friend

Thank you for your comment. It is a double edged sword responding to these comments sometimes. On one side I am grateful that you have this place, that you have this video and song and words to relate to so that you know you are not alone. Of course on the other side of that comes the sadness of knowing you are not in a good place and of course wishing that was not the case.

It seems such a lot to deal with along side feeling so lonely, that is one thing extra you do not need on top of everything else. I want you to know you are not alone anymore. For the depersonalisation etc there are ways to help with that, I am sure you know of some of those, I will post some at the end of this post just incase there is something new you have not seen before. You are seen and heard here, not all of us experience what you do but we certainly can be here to listen. Lisa x

Here are some things you can try at home to cope with derealization:

  • Grounding techniques: These can help you feel more connected to the present. Try:
    • Breathing slowly while counting
    • Walking barefoot and noticing how the ground feels
    • Holding an ice cube or splashing cold water on your face
    • Touching something with an interesting texture or sniffing something with a strong smell
  • Move your body: Moving your body with intention can help reduce anxiety and bring your mind back to the present. Try:
    • Walking to the mailbox and back or taking a long stroll through a nearby park
    • Jogging in place or doing a few jumping jacks
  • Listen to music: Music can help reduce cortisol levels, a stress hormone, in your system.
  • Use your senses: Using your five senses is key to being present and grounded.
  • Stop drug and alcohol use: Both drugs and alcohol can worsen symptoms of depersonalization.

If you’re experiencing these feelings frequently or they don’t go away, you might have depersonalization-derealization disorder, also known as dissociation. You can speak to your general practitioner or a mental health professional about how you’re feeling.

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@@HeartSupport thank you so much for all the comments. I agree with everything that was said. AIC was one of my favorite bands since being a teenager and I’ve seen a lot of these people leave this world because they isolated themselves and let their addictions finish them off. I do not want to be one of those people. Thank you for the care and kind words and it will take some time but I will get through this. I’ll try to check back in later in the future for an update.

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Some more comments just showed up I will read them as well, thank you!

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@@HeartSupport in response to Lisa I will try those things. It’s such a weird feeling when the world don’t feel real and you feel out of your body. I don’t do drugs but it feels like a trip and I feel like I’m losing my mind completely at times. Feels like I can look outside and no one else exists. I’ve done that a few times like bending down to touch the grass to try to feel alive or shaking my head as if I’m trying to wake myself up. My defensive mechanism for isolation is pushing people away and I guess it’s out of shame as to where I’m at. I’ve been through a lot but I’m going to do my best to get through this, I’ll update later!

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You’re loved, friend. You matter. Just wanted to send a friendly reminder your way today. <3

-Marie-Anne, HS Staff