Kind of embarassing. Any ideas/explanations?

[Flyingfree]

I am under an awful lot of stress at the moment. In the past year or so I have sometimes struggled with knowing what is real and what is not real, especially when I am not feeling particularly well. Normally I end up confused and upset because I can't figure it out, or because I know logically it is not real but it feels real.

Yesterday I was watching a tv programme about a woman and it ended. For a brief few moments (maybe a minute or so) I was her sister, she was coming for me too and we were going to be reunited some how but I needed to pack in case she or my brother came. It was really horrible, weird. I don't have any long lost siblings or anything like that. It was like I had suddenly fallen through a crack in reality and entered a different dimension. Literally. I kind of realised/'woke up' but then spent the next hour or so trying to get 'me' back because I was scared I was falling and going to be lost forever and something really bad was going to happen.

I'm not crazy so maybe I did fall through a crack. But logic says that I didn't because that is not possible. I need to be sure though. Is this sort of thing normal when one is tired or stressed or both?

Thanks

[nowhereman]

Hmm this brings back (vague) memories from when I was unwell. Like thinking someone on tv was someone I knew cos they'd the same name or being convinced I was swapping houses with an internet friend in America, just cos people on tv were swapping. My dad was playing music about going to america and I was convinced this was my friend coming to get me so we could swap. I'm not really sure what to say to help though, I don't remember much from that time and no one will tell me. Is there a doctor or someone you could mention it to? It sounds quite scary. I don't think you're crazy. I do think your doctor could help. Mine changed just put me on a different medication, I've been fine (more or less) ever since. Of course it might not be as easy fr you but I'm sure it wouldn't harm to go. Good luck.

[roiben]

I think the fact that you found this experience distressing is the main reason to go and speak to a professional about it. It may be that they can help you to clarify what happened and see if there is any treatment which may be suitable for you.

It reminds me in many ways, of the confusion and disorientation I feel when dissociated (in my case, due to stress/anxiety/depression) and I know that some people experience derealisation and depersonalisation as forms of dissociation for similar reasons. It may be that this is in some way what you are experiencing. It does not make you crazy, per se, more that it is your minds way of trying to process the amount of stress it is under at the time.

Be gentle with yourself and do please see your Dr.

Roiben x