Inner Meaning · Explainer
Why Do I Feel Like I’m Not Real Sometimes?
Sometimes, life throws us curveballs that can shake our sense of self. Feeling disconnected from your own reality is a distressing experience that many people encounter at some point. When you feel like you're not real, it's as if your personal foundation has crumbled, leaving you adrift in an internal landscape where familiar is suddenly foreign. This article explores the roots of this disconcerting sensation, offering insights into its manifestations and pathways toward healing.
Core Meaning
The feeling of not being real often points to dissociation, a psychological mechanism where the mind disconnects from reality to cope with overwhelming stress or trauma. It's not a sign of weakness, but rather an adaptive response. This sensation can range from feeling detached from your body or surroundings to questioning the core of your identity. It's like stepping out of a vivid dream, only to realize that the dream was your life.
Spiritual Perspective
From a spiritual perspective, feeling disconnected can be interpreted as a soul-searching process. Some traditions view this as a call to reconnect with one's inner self or a higher power. It might signify that your spiritual journey is urging you to examine your foundations or seek a deeper purpose. Practices like meditation, mindfulness, and spending time in nature can help bridge this gap, reminding you of your inherent essence beyond the ego.
Psychological Perspective
Psychologically, this feeling can stem from various sources. It's often linked to dissociative disorders when it becomes persistent. However, even fleeting experiences of unreality can be triggered by anxiety, depression, PTSD, or certain personality traits. The mind, seeking protection, temporarily detaches from painful emotions or memories, creating a sense of unreality as a shield. Cognitive distortions, where thoughts are skewed by emotion, can also contribute to this disconnection.
Possible Causes
- Trauma or PTSD: Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event can lead to dissociation as a coping mechanism.
- Anxiety Disorders: High levels of stress or generalized anxiety can cause temporary feelings of unreality.
- Depression: Severe depression can sometimes manifest with dissociative symptoms, feeling detached from oneself.
- Personality Disorders: Conditions like dissociative identity disorder or borderline personality disorder can involve feelings of identity disturbance.
- Substance Use: Alcohol or drugs can induce dissociative states.
- Chronic Stress: Ongoing stress without proper coping mechanisms can gradually erode one's sense of self.
- Sleep Deprivation: Lack of quality sleep can affect reality testing and self-awareness.
- Medical Conditions: Certain neurological or metabolic issues can sometimes present with dissociative symptoms.
Gentle Advice
If you frequently feel like you're not real, consider speaking with a mental health professional. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma, or mindfulness-based stress reduction can be beneficial. In the meantime, practice grounding techniques—engage your senses by noticing what you can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. Building a strong support network, maintaining healthy routines, and ensuring adequate sleep are crucial. Remember, feeling disconnected is a signal; addressing it can strengthen your connection to your authentic self.