is it normal with depression to feel detatched from the real world and feel like u dont know your self?

Question

and feel no attachment to anyone and no emotion, you do care about your self and others but u jus dont feel it

does this improve with meds

Answer 1

This can be a symptom of depression - exactly as you describe it is well documented in case studies of real people with depressive illness. Check with your doctor as it's highly probably that medication could help with this, but it might not be the right course of action for you. Talk it through with your doctor

Answer 2

I am a graduate student about to receive my masters degree in mental health counseling, but I am not a doctor. However, From what I have studied this is not at all an uncommon feeling. The DSM-IV which is like the Bible of mental health says that a major depressive episode can include a depressed mood most of the day, feelings of emptiness, and markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities...And much more. BUT it concerns me a bit when you say the part about detachment because this could be a variety of other things including other mood disorders. One specifically is called Depersonalization Disorder which elicits feelings of detachment from one's self. The person may feel like they are living in a dream or movie and have the sensation of being outside one's body. All of these symptoms can get better with medication, but you really should seek professional help. I do not recommend taking any meds without taking part in counseling along with it, OR else you are just masking the problem instead of really addressing it. Please talk to a professional about your symptoms, you can have relief. If left untreated though these disorders can be very debilitating and potentially dangerous if left untreated.

Answer 3

Hi, As a person who has had major depression for over 20 years, (actually all my life but was only diagnosed about 20 years ago) I can tell you first hand that those feelings are very "normal" for someone battling depression. Yes, meds will definitely make a difference. My problem was finding the right meds. Different people respond to different meds. So if the feelings persist even after you are treated talk with your doctor.

Answer 4

YES. I have had this problem for about six months now. It has gradually stopped being as bad in the last month but it's horrible because you don't feel a part of your environment or a part of people's lives, in fact you don't feel part of your own body.

I think your mind gets that depressed that it shuts the emotions off because maybe our body thinks we can deal with the world better when we are depressed with no emotions. It's hard though.

I'm not sure if meds improve it because the feelings come back eventually anyway. I stopped taking my ani-depressants and I got feelings back, now I have come to a standstill although I am better than I was.

Hope you feel better soon. Talk to your doctor anyway about it.

Answer 5

I understand what you mean and can sympathise with you. I have never been on meds and have just tried to vary the things I do with my life until I find something that makes me tick. Im 36 now and I can say that there have been periods in my life where I have been ecstatic and have embraced life and then there have been terrible lows where I detach myself from everyone.
Keep the faith, keep trying different things. Medication may help but also consider counselling. Above all, try and take part in activities that you enjoy and take each day as it comes.
Good luck!

Answer 6

Feeling detached and isolated from others during depression is very typical and a normal symptom. A person with depression tends to want to stay aloof from others, be by themselves and stay away with interacting. A good suggestion is to set a goal for yourself to do one act of kindness for others each day, not matter how small the deed or how hard it feels it would be to do it. As you do this, you not only cause yourself to interact with others, but you feel better which comes naturally for doing the kind deed.

Answer 7

Yes, it is a common symptom. See a doctor, who will diagnose whether it is clinical depression, which may require medication for a time, and which sometimes have differing side effects; look for these and , if necessary, go back and change to something else, or get a second opinion. View: www.depression.com/- and www.relax7.com/7.php and the blogs of Shan Eris on "tackling depression" at www.myspace.com

Answer 8

yes thats exactly what depression feels like, the problem with meds is that they kind of numb you, i mean you never get severely down but you're never ecstatic either, they just kind of dull things down, however if you feel you really can't cope then go to the doc and get meds because it'll take a good bit of the edge off it, good luck x x

Answer 9

yes definitely, depression can bring on all types of horrible feelings and or emotions so any of what you feel is normal, depending on what type of depression you have, meds can help with this, also speaking to someone about it and maybe finding the root course as to where your depression began.
good luck

Answer 10

It is one of the symptoms, but by itself may not indicate depression. Do go and see your doctor about it. Medication does help, especially in getting over the first hurdle, but ultimately (and I speak from experience), the only one who can treat and overcome the condition is yourself. Being as fully informed as possible about your condition and the treatments available can give you one source of power and control. I have just found quite a few websites giving such information - check out this:
http://www.help-for.com/menu2.htm