Losing Yourself

Post Reply New Topic

Does anyone else experience times where you feel like you're losing yourself?

I don't feel like me. I feel like I'm stuck somewhere else. Everything seems to be falling apart in slow motion. My mind is tired all of the time so it makes it hard to think clearly about the things that bother me. All the existential questions that plague me, I can't address because I'm mentally too exhausted. I feel like I'm not myself anymore. I feel like I've shut down to myself. It leaves me without purpose or reason to keep going.

That sounds like depression. My advice is to get out for some exercise and mild adventures. One friend with similar symptoms went to a shrink, and was advised to take a couple of weeks off from studying Philosophy at the U.

It took me many decades to find the answers that had me stuck, and it was not a smooth progression.

This describes to me on how it feels like when i'm overstimulated. I get dragged into myself, because i had too many stimuli. If i'm way high overstimulated this feeling's getting so bad i experience something that's called depersonalization (where i've got the feeling i'm not existing anymore, like i'm not real) and/or derealization (where i've got the feeling the rest of the environment is fake, and i'm sitting in a cube kind of thing made out of class, where i can not reach the world anymore). Sometime's it feels like i'm drunk or dizzy or something, but not quite. It's really weird, but i see it as if my body shuts down my mind for a reason (because of the overstimulation), like in a reflex to protect me for not losing my mind completely It's the ultimate sign for me to slow things down, and just be quiet and calm. To rest, until i'm good to go again.

That is something that I didn't consider. The holidays have definitely overstimulated me and forced all my energy towards holding it together. Maybe once things are settled down, hopefully by the end of the month, I'll start being able to sift through the things in my head. I just have to get through a conference in Atl. with my small group and then I'll be able to rest with no obligations. Of course, last year that conference consisted of 60,000 college aged students. I can't imagine how long it'll take me to recover after getting back home.

Ahh, there you go. It takes time to finish processing too many impressions, and your buffers get overwhelmed. Try for some retreat time before the conference, or do routine stuff.

I definitely agree with what Dutchy said. I've experienced this quite frequently, especially in the past couple of years, and have begun to relate it to being overstimulated. This has been especially problematic in recent weeks, over the holidays. When it does happen, it's usually because I've become overstimulated but didn't realize it until it was too late, or because I couldn't seem to get out of the situation quickly enough, as in the case of holiday parties and such. I also tend to experience more of the depersonalization aspect, rather than the derealization aspect, though I've experienced derealization on its own and the two simultaneously. I also agree, the best thing to do is to place yourself in a quiet, more relaxed environment. It can be exhausting and at times, pretty scary, but know you're not alone in experiencing this!

I went through my lost period through all of 2007 and 2008 and than I found myself again in Mid-late 2009. I felt that I was just going through the motions of life and my mind was dark, foggy and cynical. I tried to get myself back into my local Mental Health system so I could get a counselor to talk to. They wouldn't take me. I literally had to will myself back to health, happiness and a clear continence.

Ayyyy! you know, just reading your message just gave me a sence of overstimulation! Of course you're overwhelmed by the holidays and the whole 'charade' that is coming with that! I think we all going through that every year, right? It just comes with the way we are
What helps me going through that situation is just simpel: peace and tranquility. Also warmth and lack of stimulations in general. No social things for a while. Just a little 'me-time'. It's not always easy, because you want to be 'active' and all, but our brain is just not build for that amount of 'activeness'. That's how i see it. And you better accept that, because you and your brain are kind of stuck with each other. Just be good and kind to yourself. Spoil yourself with the things you love. I listen to music that i love, or watch the movies that i like. Sleep all day or go sporting. I go to a spa very often, or do very long showers. Everything that is helping me going. I don't care if it cost me money or time, and not being 'social', because this is what i need. This is what my brain needs to recover from life. I hope you find your ways to pamper your brain a little bit. Don't do things by force, it doesn't work. Or do and pay the price for it. Either way, you can say no to things, or reschedule things. You have only one brain, be careful with it! The holidays and conference are good examples of how difficult life is for us sometimes, and how strong we are. Most people don't understand this, but we do. It is a jungle out there, and we are survivors! Take your time to recover. Your brain is gonna love it Good luck!