Sometimes Things Don't Seem Real

[Chicken_Wings]

I was wondering if anyone else ever has a feeling sort of like things aren't real.
Things being the stuff around you, the world.

I don't mean not real as in imaginary, I know it's "real" but sometimes I get this feeling like I'm not part of it. For example, earlier today I was a shopping mall. There were lots of people and lots of things going on and I felt like a weird observer. Like I'm watching tv or something.

It happens when I'm anxious so I figure its related?

[AnxiousOCD]

Hi Chicken Wings,

I sometimes feel like this when I'm anxious as well! Anxiety has a weird way of playing tricks on us. I get so caught up in my thoughts that I don't notice anything going on around me or sometimes I notice everything.

[Chicken_Wings]

I'm the same.

Noticing everything is the worst I think cause its too much. I feel confused and over stimulated, like I've got 10 people talking to me at once and I can't focus on one conversation.

[AnxiousOCD]

That's how I feel in my mind, my mind is trying to think 10 different things at once and sometimes I think I'm having flashbacks to something I've done wrong and then I get so confused and end up overthinking which creates more confusion. 

Do you ever feel that the more you think the worse things seem and the more confused you become?

I'm trying not to chase these thoughts but it's in my nature to problem solve and I just end up in a tangled web 

[Chicken_Wings]

When Im anxious I think in loops.

Think bad thing
Think bad consequence of bad thing
Think about other similar bad things
Think bad consequences of those bad things
Get depressed and more anxious about all the things
Start again.

Sometimes as part of that loop I sort of act out the bad situation I'm imagining in my head. Imagining what I would do if it happened. Even as far as what I would say about it on facebook.

The over stimulation is quite scary for me cause it usually happens in public and so I add to that the anxiety over looking like there is something wrong with me.

[Chloe2]

Yes this happens to me a lot. Mostly when I'm talking to someone who I'm not that familiar with, it feels very unreal and dreamlike and afterwards I think "I don't even remember answering them"

[Mummybee]

Hi CW

this is quite a common symptom of anxiety. There are some great symptoms lists, along with people's personal experiences with them on a site called anxietycentre. Worth a look for peace of mind when your anxiety is high.

i get it it too sometimes.

it usually passes though. 

Hows the eating going?

mummybee 

[Chicken_Wings]

Hey Mummybee,

Eating is improving, I'm managing something small at lunch and some sort of dinner at the moment.
Getting there!