|
Post by juju on Feb 24, 2014 19:35:04 GMT
I've noticed a really odd phenomenon, and I wondered how common this is. When I get really really into a book, I find that I can almost get into some sort of dissociative state - i.e. I end up feeling not part of the real world anymore, at least for a spell.
Sometimes I'm not even aware it is happening, but then end up with panic attacks because my brain is no longer functioning in the 'real world' properly. It happened this morning, going back to work after spending a weekend 'binge reading' a particularly gripping book.
I read somewhere that too much REM (dream sleep) can cause depression. I know that when I get too much, it makes me feel out of touch with reality and this triggers anxiety, and I've found it's the same with too much reading.
It won't stop me reading of course, but I know I need to be careful and not immerse myself for too long at a time, I guess.
Anyone else had this happen?
|
|
|
Post by Kye on Feb 24, 2014 19:49:57 GMT
I can certainly get "lost in a book" and have problems coming back to earth, but I think when I'm really anxious or stressed about things in the real world, it makes getting lost in virtual reality that much more compelling...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 20:20:56 GMT
You might want to read about anxiety attacks and triggers/cues. It may be that something about reading, or something you do while reading might be a trigger. It could be most anything; reading itself, the food or drink you commonly have while reading, how or where you sit, most anything. Try googling "anxiety attack triggers" or "panic disorder cues".
|
|
|
Post by juju on Feb 24, 2014 20:36:49 GMT
I don't think it's about how or what I'm reading (or eating etc), I think what it's like is that my brain goes into a different mode, almost like dreaming but awake. Then when it's time to be in reality again, there's a kind of weird adjustment period in which I'm not quite fully able to cope with the real world. Sometimes I'm not really aware of it as such, I just feel 'brain fogged' and out of touch, and unable to really concentrate. It goes quite quickly, but sometimes the switch can cause acute anxiety.
|
|
|
Post by JoeP on Feb 24, 2014 21:51:51 GMT
Yes, I definitely get that dissociated state. But I call it a good thing - being immersed or even lost in a book.
I'm not so familiar with anxiety on returning to the real world but I've had something like that sometimes.
I think what you're experiencing isn't a problem with the binge reading. The problem is with reality ... I mean, it's anxiety with real life. When you feel some safe distance from, and time away from, day-to-day hassles you temporarily forget some of the daily routines and habits that enable you to cope with these hassles. Getting back into the routine is unexpectedly hard. Like the first day back at school after 2 or 3 week holiday. Actually it's all going to be fine - it's a "cognitive distortion" to think that you're not going to be able to cope, or that the anxious feelings represent real problems.
|
|
|
Post by Kye on Feb 25, 2014 4:00:46 GMT
I tend to agree with Joe.
|
|
|
Post by juju on Feb 25, 2014 9:14:53 GMT
I tend to agree with Joe. So do I.
|
|
|
Post by JoeP on Feb 25, 2014 10:11:00 GMT
I tend to agree with Joe. So do I. Hey, me too!
|
|
|
Post by jayme on Feb 25, 2014 16:51:10 GMT
Me three!
|
|
|
Post by Mari on Feb 25, 2014 17:17:03 GMT
I get lost in books are games or TV shows quite easily, so I make sure not to read/watch/play certain things before bed. At other times I purposely choose something to get lost in.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2014 8:20:48 GMT
I can get completely lost in books as well. But it relaxes me and sometimes has even helped when I started getting a migraine.
|
|