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What Causes Feeling Of Detachment And Depersonalization After Having Anesthesia?
Question: I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks :-( They were brought on by a stupid incident where I tried cannabis. I developed PTSD as a result of the incident. It was treated but has been recently triggered again due to a relationship problem. Anyway - i'm getting in touch today because two days ago I had a general anaesthetic. I still feel very 'distant' and 'dettached'...this is really scaring me. They're like moments where I withdraw and feel very detached and depersonalised. I'm terrified because they mimick the feelings of cannabis that led to my PTSD. Any reassurances you could give would be great x
Brief Answer:
this will pass- be busy, be social & jogg
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The chemicals in cannabis are quite unpredictable in their effect on our brain.
They mght just not cause anything;
or give pleasurable feeling ( rare) ;
or scare the person ( common finding clinically).
You have also mentioned developing bizzare feelings of detachment and depersonalization after experiencing anasthesia. Yes, there are certain anesthetic drugs which can give a feeling of dissociation and many others can give you various uncommon experience- its seen many times.
Such things might simply be forgotten by someone who is not very sensitive or is too busy in his or her life anyways or dosent have any psychological bend. Bbut because you have had experienced the bad trip with cannabis in past & had anxiety disorder- so this made you slightly sensitive about the experience with anasthesia.
Also, it is stressful in itself to undergo general anasthesia (as one will not be having control over ones breathing too).. which is scary for the general population: this also adds upto the pre operative stress...
This aloofness and detached feeling should not last long. try these--
Please force yourself to meet and be in company of other people;
Try to go out & donot sit idle: remain busy...the more you will be busy- the faster the recovery.
At present no meds seem like necessary, just getting a grip over your mind can bring you out of this spiral.
Try to do exercise/ brisk walk or jog...
take help of family and friends & move on...You will be fine.
Hope the reply is useful. Please feel free to ask more questions for clarification.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
this will pass- be busy, be social & jogg
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The chemicals in cannabis are quite unpredictable in their effect on our brain.
They mght just not cause anything;
or give pleasurable feeling ( rare) ;
or scare the person ( common finding clinically).
You have also mentioned developing bizzare feelings of detachment and depersonalization after experiencing anasthesia. Yes, there are certain anesthetic drugs which can give a feeling of dissociation and many others can give you various uncommon experience- its seen many times.
Such things might simply be forgotten by someone who is not very sensitive or is too busy in his or her life anyways or dosent have any psychological bend. Bbut because you have had experienced the bad trip with cannabis in past & had anxiety disorder- so this made you slightly sensitive about the experience with anasthesia.
Also, it is stressful in itself to undergo general anasthesia (as one will not be having control over ones breathing too).. which is scary for the general population: this also adds upto the pre operative stress...
This aloofness and detached feeling should not last long. try these--
Please force yourself to meet and be in company of other people;
Try to go out & donot sit idle: remain busy...the more you will be busy- the faster the recovery.
At present no meds seem like necessary, just getting a grip over your mind can bring you out of this spiral.
Try to do exercise/ brisk walk or jog...
take help of family and friends & move on...You will be fine.
Hope the reply is useful. Please feel free to ask more questions for clarification.
Wish you a speedy recovery.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, Dr.
I guess I need some reassurance that:
1) the feelings of detachment are normal
2) the feelings of detachment are no from some kind of accidental cannabis intake (!)t
I guess I need some reassurance that:
1) the feelings of detachment are normal
2) the feelings of detachment are no from some kind of accidental cannabis intake (!)t
Brief Answer:
dont worry, its not cannabis-just be busy
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Technically speaking as you were fine before the operation and now have all this bizzare detached feeling- so, this rules out cannabis as the reason behind it...You didnt take that poor thing after that PTSD incident so, ideally we should not and cannot balme it.
This repeat incident is due to your experience with anesthetic agent and should wean off...none of the anesthetic agents has cannabis, so dont worry.
Please do follow the steps I have adviced in last reply for a speedy recovery.
Somethings and some feelings are better not indulged into..this is one of them. Stop thinking about it and try to be engaged in some work to keep your mind away.
Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
dont worry, its not cannabis-just be busy
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Technically speaking as you were fine before the operation and now have all this bizzare detached feeling- so, this rules out cannabis as the reason behind it...You didnt take that poor thing after that PTSD incident so, ideally we should not and cannot balme it.
This repeat incident is due to your experience with anesthetic agent and should wean off...none of the anesthetic agents has cannabis, so dont worry.
Please do follow the steps I have adviced in last reply for a speedy recovery.
Somethings and some feelings are better not indulged into..this is one of them. Stop thinking about it and try to be engaged in some work to keep your mind away.
Wish you good luck.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
That's fantastic advice...one last thing!
Do you have any idea when general anaestheticleaves the system?
Thanks!
Do you have any idea when general anaestheticleaves the system?
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
takes a week or so depending on drug
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Usually, major part of the drugs leave the body in a day or two but complete removal may take 5 days or few more.
The elimination thing depends on several factors-
1.Related to the drug used and its characteristics
2. and patient's body composition and organ status.
In your case it is more of an experience and feeling component which is remaining, so just try to get out of it by diverting your mind- you will surely recover fast.
Good luck!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
takes a week or so depending on drug
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Usually, major part of the drugs leave the body in a day or two but complete removal may take 5 days or few more.
The elimination thing depends on several factors-
1.Related to the drug used and its characteristics
2. and patient's body composition and organ status.
In your case it is more of an experience and feeling component which is remaining, so just try to get out of it by diverting your mind- you will surely recover fast.
Good luck!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I'm already feeling better from your advice and the app says another question is free to ask you! And do you have any tips for dealing with a sudden wave of panic or anxiety? Thank you again xxx
Brief Answer:
get well with relaxed breathing & back counting
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Sudden waves of anxiety can be dealt with-
1. try doing reverse counting simply or
you may do 100-7 & then 93-7 and so on till you cant sustract any further in reverse order.
2. some people may find the above tricy and difficult to do; they have good response by - focussing on breathing slow, relaxed and deep breathing is helpful in reducing anxiety to almost zero..
3. Most important is try to be with someone and go out in green...
P.S. you can also use clonazepam 0.25mg SOS to help in very high anxiety levels. But dont drive after this.
Good luck!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
get well with relaxed breathing & back counting
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Sudden waves of anxiety can be dealt with-
1. try doing reverse counting simply or
you may do 100-7 & then 93-7 and so on till you cant sustract any further in reverse order.
2. some people may find the above tricy and difficult to do; they have good response by - focussing on breathing slow, relaxed and deep breathing is helpful in reducing anxiety to almost zero..
3. Most important is try to be with someone and go out in green...
P.S. you can also use clonazepam 0.25mg SOS to help in very high anxiety levels. But dont drive after this.
Good luck!
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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