There is just no way you get DP this way..

Okay so I got DP from months and months of panic attacks, worried I had a brain tumor. Ive always had OCD. In the past when I thought I was dying from some sort of cancer I always got the "symptoms". One night a year ago, I was in a really bad place... suffering from PTSD from panic attacks and thought "what if I'm actually dead and this is hell" and ever since then I've suffered from DP... How does someone get DP by obsessing their way into it?? It just doesn't seem possible... Maybe that is why my DP has been so "progressive" regarding symptoms... I don't know. I read on other people getting DP and mine just never seemed to happen that way. It's almost as if I literally talked myself into DP... Which doesn't seem possible and makes me worried I in fact don't have DP and some thing is really wrong here.

That's an interesting question. Have you been diagnosed with DP by a doctor or therapist? I know dissociation typically occurs under high stress. Certainly having panic attacks and extreme/constant anxiety would qualify. OCD is another symptom of anxiety and would lead to stress. Perhaps, if you consider it occurred as a result of stress and not obsessing about it; then it will make more sense.

Kali

Yes i was diagnosed with it. But still doesnt explain how someone has the power to get themselves into DP.. so how do I get out?

I thought I had provided a reasonable explanation, but then, your therapist can provide more insight.

You should look up info about "Grounding" techniques. Your therapist may also be able to help with this as well. Aldo, mindfulness can help.

All the best,
Kali

I know this is an old post but I will just leave this here for future events etc in case someone else searches for it.

My story of developing dp is very similar to this. I had and still have doubts that if I really have it because people do not most of the time get dp this way. Mine began while reading a philosophy book (whacky ideas like solipsism brain in a vat etc). I tried to imagine what non-existence would feel like and I felt something snap in my brain (probably a psychosomatic response). Then I slept, woke up with anxiety and confusion. One anxiety-full week later I woke up with dp/dr. I thought I was in psychosis because who thinks his/her way to dp? It is so weird.

I was diagnosed with ocd and panic disorder years before this but was doing okay. When dp came (one year ago btw) the first month I literally had no emotions, didn't recognize myself in the mirror and thought I was trapped in a dream but all these went away. Unfortunately everything still feels unreal and I have an annoying feeling that nothing exists including me. It is very hard to cope.

Apparently you can get depersonalization by thinking your way into it, probably if you are prone to obsessions or maybe dissocation.

Thank you for your response.

It is comforting to think that others have gotten DP this way.