Question:
Hi, all, I had a weird experience driving to the mall today (with my husband in the car, of course). I did fine, but it was like there was 2 of me – the one doing the driving (and doing a good job) and the other one doing the observing. Has anyone ever had an experience like this – it was strange? Even though I did feel in control of the car the whole time… smiles, elise
Response:
Hi, all, I had a weird experience driving to the mall today (with my husband in the car, of course). I did fine, but it was like there was 2 of me – the one doing the driving (and doing a good job) and the other one doing the observing. Has anyone ever had an experience like this – it was strange? Even though I did feel in control of the car the whole time… smiles, elise
This is called *depersonalization*. It is harmless. For some it occurs as part of a PA (in which case it is frightening) but many people experience it who never had a PA. There is a lot to say about this kind of *dissociation* and I find it most interesting. There are websites and message boards but they are concerned only with depersonalization as an unpleasant experience. In your case there seems to have been no problem. Before PD I used to have quite extreme out-of-body-experiences for some time and I didn’t find them frightening in any way, go figure. Philip
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi, all, I had a weird experience driving to the mall today (with my husband in the car, of course). I did fine, but it was like there was 2 of me – the one doing the driving (and doing a good job) and the other one doing the observing. Has anyone ever had an experience like this – it was strange? Even though I did feel in control of the car the whole time… smiles, elise
it’s a normal sensation but one most people aren’t aware of-performance and performing can be an asset since if you can be aware of your being aware you can at will take yourself out of the "now" of an anxiety attack and be an observer only and not a participant-I have done this myself when experiencing a so called otb panic attack-you simply (well it is simple in practice anyway) observe yourself without adding any cognitive evaluations or analysis-it feels freaky at first until you see it as advantageous and can train yourself to do it at will…. LM
Response:
Yes, very definitely, like an out of body thing but you’re still able to control everything your body’s doing but seem to be doing it subconsciously or something, without having to think about the physical activity itself. I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about, this is the 1st time I’ve ever heard anyone else mention it. It’s kind of weird and a little scary at the same time, isn’t it? I have no idea what it is medically but when I have it, even when I talk I feel like it’s somebody else talking but I’m controlling it. Wow, you just made my day knowing that somebody else has that . I’ll bet it’s anxiety related though because often some level of an anxiety attack usually follows it, usually pretty mild, though. Jeff
Response:
Hi Elise! Hmm that is kinda wierd. I’m not sure if this is the same thing, probably not because I don’t feel in control as you say you do, but sometimes when i’m driving – happened today coming home from work – i half get the sense i’m driving and normal and am half just terrified, uncomfortable, upset etc. it’s a weird thing because the two coexist – leaving me more confused than anything. only I don’t feel in control then, i feel like i’m in a killing machine. i know it’s the ptsd stuff. but it’s hard all the same. anyway, has that happened before? again? well, hope you are doing okay. i saw your other post about bad am or something, but i don’t know anything about paxil and was it xanax so all i can say is hope you’re doing okay and feel better. les. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, all, I had a weird experience driving to the mall today (with my husband in the car, of course). I did fine, but it was like there was 2 of me – the one doing the driving (and doing a good job) and the other one doing the observing. Has anyone ever had an experience like this – it was strange? Even though I did feel in control of the car the whole time… smiles, elise
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Response:
Hi, all, I had a weird experience driving to the mall today (with my husband in the car, of course). I did fine, but it was like there was 2 of me – the one doing the driving (and doing a good job) and the other one doing the observing. Has anyone ever had an experience like this – it was strange? Even though I did feel in control of the car the whole time… smiles, elise
I’ve had similar experiences of depersonalization/derealization: I look in the mirror and the face is familar but not mine, and I look at my hands and they seem detached from me. Your experience may be related to your recent reduction in Xanax and/or starting on Paxil. Chip Before you buy.
Response:
jeff, glad I made your day (I think)…Philip said it is "depersonalization" – i have heard of the word but didn’t know that is what it was. it feels weird to be in both roles at the same time. I guess it is anxiety related but i would not say mine are followed by any panic attacks. In fact, i felt so in control at the time that it amazed me. smiles, elise
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, very definitely, like an out of body thing but you’re still able to control everything your body’s doing but seem to be doing it subconsciously or something, without having to think about the physical activity itself. I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about, this is the 1st time I’ve ever heard anyone else mention it. It’s kind of weird and a little scary at the same time, isn’t it? I have no idea what it is medically but when I have it, even when I talk I feel like it’s somebody else talking but I’m controlling it. Wow, you just made my day knowing that somebody else has that . I’ll bet it’s anxiety related though because often some level of an anxiety attack usually follows it, usually pretty mild, though. Jeff
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