Many who experience depersonalization/derealization dpdr, are perplexed about these feelings and how they began.
It’s not only frustrating but upsetting in a way that creates one’s confidence to falter, trying to figure out the puzzle behind this condition.
Let’s start at the beginning:
Depersonalization: Feeling Unreal, Detached or Disconnected
Derealization: One’s surroundings look and feel unfamiliar
The Cause:
Days, weeks or months of constant fearful worry tend to exhaust the mind. One is unknowingly tiring the mind in ways it’s never felt as weary in the past. Look at it this way, if one were to study all day and night, their mind would become tired. Now, add the element of FEAR to the study process and the mind becomes completely exhausted.
Never mistake the feelings of depersonalization/derealization for illness. It is a learned behavior a habit that you have the power to interrupt and overcome. You exhausted your mind by the habit of constantly thinking in a fearful manner. All the symptoms that followed were those of a tired mind.
How to Overcome DPDR
Once you understand what this is, what it is not and how to interrupt the behavior that triggered it, you are on your way back to clarity of mind.
– You are endlessly Checking In, all day, from the moment you open your eyes until you go to sleep at night. Catch yourself doing this and STOP. You can recognize this by two words, “What if” while checking in. The chemical Adrenaline is released when you think this way and by doing so you are releasing small spurts of this into your body all day long. Tell yourself that every moment you are not checking in and thinking “what if” thoughts, your mind is Refreshing! Yes, it’s rejuvenating by interrupting this negative behavior and it Works!
– Begin eating lean proteins at every meal and snack to maintain balanced blood sugar levels and boost Serotonin in the brain naturally. Your mind is tired and you may even feel “down” due to the drop in Serotonin levels. They are the feel good chemical in the brain. Begin rebuilding them naturally by following the DPDR Diet, which is comprised of lean proteins, good fats, fiber, fresh vegetables and fruits. Shopping the peripheral of the market is where all the healthy foods are located.
– 30 minutes before bedtime, eat a Complex Carbohydrate. Not a simple carbohydrate like candy, sugar or soda, but a Complex Carbohydrate such as a bowl of low sugar cereal (ex. Cheerios of Rice Chex) , Oatmeal, Toast, Crackers or Muffins. This will release all the Serotonin you were building all day long by eating Proteins (which built up amino acids-the precursor to Serotonin). You will immediately feel sleepy, relaxed and peaceful. Odds are you will sleep through the night and wake up feeling more like yourself again.
The combination of learning how to think differently (retraining the brain) and using our dpdr diet, will enable you to overcome depersonalization and derealization, without the fear of it returning, because at that stage you will know too much for it to slip back in again.
Understanding is everything, combined with the right plan to overcome these intrusive feelings, will not only give you back your clarity but show you how capable you are to gain control of a satisfying life again.
Feel free to email or call if you have any questions concerning Depersonalization, Derealization (DPDR) or Anxiety Conditions.
Best wishes,
Ronnie Freedman, PhD
Depersonalization Treatment Center
Phone: 215-635-4700
info@depersonalizationtreatmentcenter.com
https://www.depersonalizationtreatmentcenter.com