Schizophrenia - General Discussion
in Psychology & Therapy ·
Hi everyone, sorry to jump into the conversation like this, but I really need some advice and a second opinion. Basically, I’ve been dealing with intense depressive episodes since late July. I went through a few major stressors during that time, which I assume acted as the trigger. Since then, I’ve been living with almost constant derealization and depersonalization. Throughout the summer, I also struggled with panic attacks and insomnia; I was actually terrified to leave the house because I was scared I might faint or lose control. But honestly, those symptoms aren't even the hardest part—it's the thoughts themselves. It's incredibly difficult to put this feeling into words, but I'll try. Everything started when I suddenly found myself questioning whether I actually exist or if anything else is even real. Everything just felt... surreal. Even though I know logically that I exist, something inside me feels fractured. At one point, I was actually convinced that nothing was real at all. Now, while I can tell myself consciously that I exist, those "what if" questions keep creeping back in. It’s driving me absolutely crazy; it feels like a constant mental battleground. Sometimes, I even start to believe that I don't truly exist. I’ve been seeing a psychotherapist for two months now, but he doesn't think I need to see a psychiatrist. He believes this is just a passing phase. Has anyone here gone through something similar? Could these be nihilistic delusions?