Discussion Weird questions for you guys

[BitterlyAlive_]

It's embarrassing to ask, but does anyone else feel like their memories and life in general is fake? Do you look at pictures of your younger self and feel no connection to the person in the picture?

I was talking to someone about college and was struck by the sense that I didn't really go to college, that's what brought this up. It reminds me of how I look at my parents, sibling, friends, and sometimes feel like I don't really know them. I feel very detached, more so than usual.

It's probably an identity issue but I've brought it up in therapy and, as usual, it was ignored. Sigh

 

[FuneralCry]

I do think memories in general are fake, as over time we forget things and fill in the gaps in our mind of things that aren't necessarily true. I think if someone is depressed in the current moment then they look back on past times more fondly even if they weren't really happy then. If that even makes sense.

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

I do think memories in general are fake, as over time we forget things and fill in the gaps in our mind of things that aren't necessarily true. I think if someone is depressed in the current moment then they look back on past times more fondly even if they weren't really happy then. If that even makes sense.

That's true, it's very easy to manipulate memories and flat out misremember things in general.

 

[Wraith]

Like depersonalization?
Sometimes. Usually a response to when I come out of a dissociative episode.

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

Like depersonalization?
Sometimes. Usually a response to when I come out of a dissociative episode.

I guess so. These sorts of things happen a lot. But no therapist irl listens when I've tried to bring it up, so idk. I feel crazy lol

 

[Nexuno]

It is fake. The perception of these things, memories, it's an experience that happens in the present time. There's no way for anyone to really prove that something really happened in the past. There is no such thing like the past, actually.

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

It is fake. The perception of these things, memories, it's an experience that happens in the present time. There's no way for anyone to really prove that something really happened in the past. There is no such thing like the past, actually.

I suppose, if we're talking about...uh, ontology? Metaphysics? Whatever philosophical branch that would be. But I'm talking about a purely psychological standpoint.

 

[Nexuno]

I suppose, if we're talking about...uh, ontology? Metaphysics? Whatever philosophical branch that would be. But I'm talking about a purely psychological standpoint.

There's no difference at all between philosophy and psychology, actually. Your question is on the border line between the two (which actually is very thin).

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

There's no difference at all between philosophy and psychology, actually. Your question is on the border line between the two (which actually is very thin).

They're both connected, but they're not one and the same. But yeah, you could answer my questions using either.

 

[Mentalmick]

I saw a photo of myself when I was young. I was smiling and I thought how damn weird it was to see myself smile. Very odd.

 

[Isadeth]

I question a lot of the past. Especially with gaslighting people in my life. Every time you remember an event, apparently your brain is going off the last time you remembered it. So it's less and less accurate supposedly.

Could also be maybe connected to impostor syndrome perhaps?

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

I question a lot of the past. Especially with gaslighting people in my life. Every time you remember an event, apparently your brain is going off the last time you remembered it. So it's less and less accurate supposedly.

Could also be maybe connected to impostor syndrome perhaps?

I guess I just feel detached from my memories. Like, I can talk about something that I remember but I generally don't...feel like it happened, I guess. Unless it was something like people ghosting me - then it hurts. But even then...

:/ People have told me I have imposter syndrome. Idk

 

[issyishere]

That sounds more like depersonalization etc. I had a few moments mostly after heavy weed withdrawal where I felt like nothing was real. It also might be that you were almost a different person back then and find it hard to relate to that person. I do the same thing when I look at myself in my "peak"

 

[Isadeth]

I guess I just feel detached from my memories. Like, I can talk about something that I remember but I generally don't...feel like it happened, I guess. Unless it was something like people ghosting me - then it hurts. But even then...

:/ People have told me I have imposter syndrome. Idk

I personally think it's more common to have imposter syndrome than many would believe. I believe it stems from anxiety and comparing yourself to others. Which is rampant in today's social media era.

Some things I feel so detached from trauma wise that I am able to easily tell the events like I'm talking about someone else. Because technically I am. Usually I'm recalling memories from so long ago I don't recognize the person in the story. If that makes sense. Similar?

 

[Deleted member 94]

Interesting I once had an experience when I was outside the door to my student accommodation and I had some weird thoughts like am I really here, is this really happening, is this true, felt like I had a break from reality.

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

That sounds more like depersonalization etc. I had a few moments mostly after heavy weed withdrawal where I felt like nothing was real. It also might be that you were almost a different person back then and find it hard to relate to that person. I do the same thing when I look at myself in my "peak"

I think it's something like depersonalization, too. But I tried to bring it up to my therapist and they ignored me and my concerns, simply asking "Are you saying this to get a more serious diagnosis?" So, while I suspect it, I don't know for certain.

I personally think it's more common to have imposter syndrome than many would believe. I believe it stems from anxiety and comparing yourself to others. Which is rampant in today's social media era.

Some things I feel so detached from trauma wise that I am able to easily tell the events like I'm talking about someone else. Because technically I am. Usually I'm recalling memories from so long ago I don't recognize the person in the story. If that makes sense. Similar?

I think imposter syndrome is very common, too. And this detachment happens with very recent things, too. Things from March, July, August, October. Even this month. So I dunno. Sorry :/

Interesting I once had an experience when I was outside the door to my student accommodation and I had some weird thoughts like am I really here, is this really happening, is this true, felt like I had a break from reality.

That happens to me as well, it's very strange and can be scary if it gets worse. Were you tired or stressed at the time?

 

[Deleted member 94]

I think it's something like depersonalization, too. But I tried to bring it up to my therapist and they ignored me and my concerns, simply asking "Are you saying this to get a more serious diagnosis?" So, while I suspect it, I don't know for certain.

Do your own research and try to get in touch with what you feel and think, I'm sure there is something there and you have to get an understanding of it then confront your therapist with examples and similar occurrences, if you needed to do online tests for what you think the diagnosis is. That's what I do to try and decipher what is going on in my head sometimes, the therapist usually wants simple to manage patients and we are usually called hypochondriacs by them anyway. They don't want to give you your money's worth. They want everything like they describe it and nothing which is outside their expertise. I've had multiple misdiagnosis.

 

[Isadeth]

I think it's something like depersonalization, too. But I tried to bring it up to my therapist and they ignored me and my concerns, simply asking "Are you saying this to get a more serious diagnosis?" So, while I suspect it, I don't know for certain.

That response would have pissed me off. And honestly I probably would have said, "I'm trying to get an accurate diagnosis of why I'm feeling this way so I can further my treatment and have a successful outcome on with my care plan. I rather not guess, I prefer to know."

Maybe that can help get your point across and address your concerns? Maybe? It really depends on the person you're talking to and how they treat you.

You deserve to get to the bottom of it without being made to feel like if you pursue it, you're not going to be made to feel like you're faking or exaggerating. That's no way to treat a patient.

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

Do your own research and try to get in touch with what you feel and think, I'm sure there is something there and you have to get an understanding of it then confront your therapist with examples and similar occurrences, if you needed to do online tests for what you think the diagnosis is. That's what I do to try and decipher what is going on in my head sometimes, the therapist usually wants simple to manage patients and we are usually called hypochondriacs by them anyway. They don't want to give you your money's worth. They want everything like they describe it and nothing which is outside their expertise. I've had multiple misdiagnosis.

I think I'm just going to try and find someone else... I didn't even talk last week, I don't want to talk this week. No point in going, really.

That response would have pissed me off. And honestly I probably would have said, "I'm trying to get an accurate diagnosis of why I'm feeling this way so I can further my treatment and have a successful outcome on with my care plan. I rather not guess, I prefer to know."

Maybe that can help get your point across and address your concerns? Maybe? It really depends on the person you're talking to and how they treat you.

You deserve to get to the bottom of it without being made to feel like if you pursue it, you're not going to be made to feel like you're faking or exaggerating. That's no way to treat a patient.

Well...it's not about my treatment plan, I just want to know, I guess. :/

 

[Good4Nothing]

Past me is like a stranger to me. I look at childhood pictures and feel nothing. It's like I'm looking at a different person. I feel no connection to him at all.
Is that what you're talking about?

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

Past me is like a stranger to me. I look at childhood pictures and feel nothing. It's like I'm looking at a different person. I feel no connection to him at all.
Is that what you're talking about?

Yes, but it's also recent pictures.

 

[Deleted member 94]

I think it's something like depersonalization, too. But I tried to bring it up to my therapist and they ignored me and my concerns, simply asking "Are you saying this to get a more serious diagnosis?" So, while I suspect it, I don't know for certain.

I think imposter syndrome is very common, too. And this detachment happens with very recent things, too. Things from March, July, August, October. Even this month. So I dunno. Sorry :/

That happens to me as well, it's very strange and can be scary if it gets worse. Were you tired or stressed at the time?

No but it was a surreal experience probably intertwined with thoughts like why are we the only sentiment life in the whole universe and X files stuff like are we all alone in the universe. And yes both tired and stressed from college life.

 

[BitterlyAlive_]

No but it was a surreal experience probably intertwined with thoughts like why are we the only sentiment life in the whole universe and X files stuff like are we all alone in the universe. And yes both tired and stressed from college life.

The fatigue and stress probably kickstarted that. Still, definitely an interesting experience.

 

[Puffinz]

Absolutely. When I think about it I can barely remember anything I did in high school while anyone else I talk to has tons of strong memories. The things and moments I do remember feel totally insignificant or like they happened to a different person. My parents have some old pictures of me around their house and it feels weird looking at them, like I'm looking at a person I've never seen before.

 

[Deleted member 94]

It's different for me I remember exactly the type of person I was and when I compare the now me to the then me I see myself as a shell of my former self.

 

[NightmareTour]

Yeah, I think my brain has deliberately detached itself from it all, including the idea that I'm an entire real person. I don't think I'd be holding it together even the tiny amount that I am now otherwise. Nothing before this moment feels real, and it's better that way. The occasional times that they register as real events for a few seconds are the worst part.

 

[andme72]

I think it's something like depersonalization, too. But I tried to bring it up to my therapist and they ignored me and my concerns, simply asking "Are you saying this to get a more serious diagnosis?" So, while I suspect it, I don't know for certain.

If a therapist ever said that to me, I would instantly end the session and walk out. I've been in and out of therapy at least a dozen times now, and the only two times I ever had any amount of success was when I was with therapists that considered everything I said. When a therapist becomes suspicious instead of inquisitive, I find they're usually projecting their BS on to me and my treatment. A couple sly questions or comments and they'll talk smack about past patients in front of you so you know exactly how they feel about people with X diagnosis. Is there a chance you could find someone new in your area? Therapist shopping takes forever, but it's worth it when you find a good one.

To your original post - I've experienced a lot of trauma in my life, so I have a few "versions" of myself that I certainly can't relate to anymore. I get that depersonalization feeling only when looking at photos or reading old journal entries. Certain memories I feel super hard, but others - usually where I'm happy - it kinda feels more like remembering a scene from a movie.

 

[kappa]

It happens to me sometimes and not sure why. Some things have happened so long ago it just doesn't seem real.

A few years ago I overdosed and lost some memory of what happened. Shortly after getting out of the mental hospital I had this feeling of what if "I really died" and I'm just living my old life as punishment. I always wonder if that happens to anyone else. It get really unsettling if I question my really mortality.

 

[mimiopo22]

È imbarazzante chiederlo, ma qualcun altro sente che i propri ricordi e la vita in generale sono falsi? Guardi le foto del tuo io più giovane e non senti alcun legame con la persona nella foto?

Stavo parlando con qualcuno del college e sono rimasto colpito dalla sensazione di non essere andato davvero al college, questo è ciò che ha portato a questo. Mi ricorda come guardo i miei genitori, i miei fratelli, gli amici e, a volte, mi sento come se non li conoscessi davvero. Mi sento molto distaccato, più del solito.

Probabilmente è un problema di identità, ma ne ho parlato in terapia e, come al solito, è stato ignorato. Sospiro

I hate to tell you this, but you suffer from depersonalization. I pray for you to end. at least to you. I pray so much.

 

[Chupacabra 44]

I think it's something like depersonalization, too. But I tried to bring it up to my therapist and they ignored me and my concerns, simply asking "Are you saying this to get a more serious diagnosis?" So, while I suspect it, I don't know for certain.

I think imposter syndrome is very common, too. And this detachment happens with very recent things, too. Things from March, July, August, October. Even this month. So I dunno. Sorry :/

That happens to me as well, it's very strange and can be scary if it gets worse. Were you tired or stressed at the time?

I assume your therapist(s) are ignoring you, because it's beyond that particular therapist(s) scope of expertise.

Instead of the therapist acknowledging their professional shortcomings, they instead turn it around on you by asking if you are looking for additional diagnosises. Weak approach by your therapist(s) illustating insecurity and lack of intellectual or professional curiosity.