Hi Julz, sorry you are going through this I understand how you feel and its extremely frightening.

I’m not an expert but based on my experience I would say for me detachment is a defence mechanism, the minds way of protecting itself. I would experience this in times of stress or anxiety, the problem with anxiety is there is not an actual real fear or anything to be fearful of and this is what feeds it. The detachment is a further manifestation of this as if to give you something to be fearful of, to make sense of the anxiety you are feeling.

I also found these feelings would appear while I was having therapy, which makes sense as therapy is hard work trawling through everything is exhausting and its not surprising our mind wants to feel ‘detached’. Feelings of detachment are a common symptom of anxiety, I used to feel I was the only one who had experienced this and I was weird and going mad but it really is rather common and not a mental disorder or anything like that, just a normal reaction to what you are going through.

Remember when you are feeling like this not to give it power, I always think to myself ‘ah I know why this is happening its just my mind trying to make sense of things, whats really bothering me’. Sounds silly but it gives me back control, it kind of stops it going further and brings me back to reality.

Thats my experience anyway, I hope you find some of this useful. Remember just because you are feeling bad it doesn’t mean things are bad and with the therapy you will feel better and the feelings of detachment will reduce and subside.

Wishing you all the best xx

Just a couple months ago, I have been diagnosed with general anxiety and my medication hasn’t been very helpful. I am a new meditator and is wondering if there is any meditations that can be an impact on my anxiety. I don’t have that bad of anxiety but I would like to get rid of it before it worsens and I am trying to switch my medication. I also tend to want to fix other people’s problems, and my councelor said that that is very unhealthy to do especially if you have anxiety. She told me to start focusing on fixing my own problems.

And my goodness, excuse all the typos and grammar! My keyboard needs some serious cleaning! At any rate, I think the ideas of knowing it will pass and using your senses to get back to reality are relayed.

I firstly want to tell you not to be afraid – you are not alone!

This time last year I was exactly like you, I just didn’t ‘feel’ anymore and felt like I was a in a bubble of sorts, and torn between a million different emotions. Since then I had a year of anti depressants, 6 weeks of REBT therapy, not to mention reading countless books / articles etc and learning who I can and can’t trust. Somedays I just wanted to press a big stop button and stop the world from turning, as I was internally in so much turmoil. I remember sitting in groups of people chatting but in my head I was screaming can’t you see or hear me screaming?! People though can’t see through into your head – you have to learn to share, albeit maybe not the screaming variety! I hid my emotions well and even loved ones didn’t realise I was on the edge of giving up.

Fast forward a year and I’m now off the anti-d’s – not easy – actually am in withdrawal stage which has triggered a little anxiety but I refuse to acknowledge it and know it will pass, like it did before. Like yours will too! I’ve met a great man and we move in together this week. Trust me there is a life out there for you too. I’ve learned to confide in people and to live again.

You are doing the right thing in coming here, its the first step of acknowledging your anxiety and depression and you are on the right path. Go back to your dr and discuss your medication, by taking control it reinforces that YOU are actually in control of of your life. Its not easy at times, be kind to yourself and you will get there!

Good luck x

Let me clarify and maybe I misunderstood you a little bit…there’s nothing wrong with helping others…I guess my point was make sure you are helping yourself first?
Sorry if I confused you tinydisciple…maybe I was a little confused as well.
Peace

Meditation has helped me with my anxiety a lot. Particularly one set of short guided meditations called “meditations for busy people” by Bodhipaksa. Honestly, I had to do them for a year before I saw the true benefits…. one day my anxiety was spiralling and, like instinct, I start doing my bresthing and calming myself down. It was such a powerful and liberating experience to stop my anxiety for the first time in my life, as like you I felt trapped and powerless. Once you make a small win like that your progress snowballs, because you realise you are capable of controlling your mid.

Be patient with yourself and keep doing small positive steps, you will overcome it I promise.