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Why Would I Get The Feeling Like My Brain Is Turning Off While Recovering From Anxiety And Depression?

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Posted on Wed, 21 Jun 2023
Question: In my recovery from panic and anxiety, i find that overall im less anxious but often it feels like my brain just... turns off sometimes. I get this weird feeling in my head... kinda like pressure but kinda like its just had enough and cant take anymore.

Often it happens in the mornings if i turn on the tv too early or start my day too quickly. And itll last for awhile... sometimes itll get worse, sonetimes not.

Is this depersonalization? Is it common for my brain to be so sensitive to stress for so long?

I dealt with anxiety for about 4 years before i finally started recovering and ive been recovering since march.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, it is possible.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Presence of weird feeling is common during depersonalisation but feeling as if the brain is turned off is very uncommon during depersonalisation. Most of the individuals during depersonalisation experience a strange state about oneself and have scary feelings. Some of them experience that they are in a different state and can see the oneself away from body. In other words, they are out of body experience and not feeling that your brain is turned off.

In addition, depersonalisation is more common during stress and not during a stable state of mind. Starting your day early cannot be considered stressful. I would also like to state that depersonalisation is more common during evening hours rather than morning.

Yes, it is possible for the brain to remain stressed for long periods of time. In clinical practice, I often encounter individuals with more than 10 years of experience with similar symptoms special when there is inadequate or no treatment.

I hope this answers your query. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.

Thanks and regards,
Dr. Ashok Kumar
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)
Thank you! Yeah, as time passes i notice my body is generally calming down but i definitely have these weird monents where my mood will suddenly flip to feeling angry or scared or depressed for no reason and its usually connected to that overwhelmed feeling in my head that comes randomly. Its like my nervous system makes mistakes when it gets filled.

The good thing is i usually recognize it and can manage it but the bad thing is it still hsppens.

My therapist says it could take up to two years to recover completely and it takes alot of work like moving on despite your feelings and not getting scared of them or attached to them.

Do you agree with all that?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I partially agree with it

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I agree that it takes time and lots of efforts but there is no timeline to state that minimum two years. I have observed individuals recovering in less than six months and even individuals who continue to suffer with lot of medications.

The most important thing here is how much you invest yourself in managing these symptoms. As stated earlier all possible options for the stress management need to be put here to have proper control.

At the same time, it is important to tolerate stress and all these symptoms to some level. I understand that it is not something which everybody recommends but keeping your emotion low during a difficult time is likely to improve your capacity to manage stress in a better way.

I hope this helps you further. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thanks and regards,
Dr. Ashok Kumar
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (19 hours later)
Youre very insightful. Do you believe people can change?

Ive always been the one to feel stressed very quickly when in any sort of situation where theres loudness or bright lights or alot of talking. All my life i wiuld be the first to leave a party, or cry easily at something intense. Its like my body has always been very sensitive. And since i had a nervous brrakdown of sorts, its more sensitive then ever.

Do you think it could calm down and grow stamina if i keep pushing past discomfort and think about things differently? Or do you think my nervous system will always create discomfort and pain easily?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, people can change by changing their pattern of thinking

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I firmly believe that people can change with the use of the right approach such as thought patterns and resultant behavior. I understand that your thinking pattern was hypersensitive but believe me that with persistent efforts a lot can be changed.

I do not mean that you push beyond your comfort zones, but tolerating some level of stress will be definitely helpful.

I hope this helps you. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thanks again.

Regards,
Dr. Ashok Kumar
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (3 days later)
Ok. One last question... that thing with my head... where it feels like it gets very full and anxious and tingly... almost like a panic attack but with no other symptoms... that feeling can sometimes linger for hours then maybe turn into a headache or ill get really tired afterward.

It happens when i expose myself to too much stimuli. Flashing lifhts, loud noise etc... it never happened before this breakdown a few years ago but it still feeks like my brain just cant handle stress.

Is that all stress/anxiety? Should i be concerned about seizures or anything else?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It could be migraine

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The presence of headache after stress, flashing lights, loud noise, too much stimulation indicates more a possibility of associated migraine rather than anything. Anxiety as a disorder can explain the panic attack like feelings but could not explain the headache with triggering points.

In my opinion, a possibility of migraine should be kept in mind although there is good possibility that with management of stress some of the migrainous attacks will be out.

Hope I have answered your query.

Thanks again.

Regards,
Dr. Ashok Kumar
Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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Why Would I Get The Feeling Like My Brain Is Turning Off While Recovering From Anxiety And Depression?

Brief Answer: Yes, it is possible. Detailed Answer: Hello, Presence of weird feeling is common during depersonalisation but feeling as if the brain is turned off is very uncommon during depersonalisation. Most of the individuals during depersonalisation experience a strange state about oneself and have scary feelings. Some of them experience that they are in a different state and can see the oneself away from body. In other words, they are out of body experience and not feeling that your brain is turned off. In addition, depersonalisation is more common during stress and not during a stable state of mind. Starting your day early cannot be considered stressful. I would also like to state that depersonalisation is more common during evening hours rather than morning. Yes, it is possible for the brain to remain stressed for long periods of time. In clinical practice, I often encounter individuals with more than 10 years of experience with similar symptoms special when there is inadequate or no treatment. I hope this answers your query. Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions. Thanks and regards, Dr. Ashok Kumar Psychiatrist