Feeling disconnected, fuzzy, or detached without consuming substances can be unsettling. This sensation, often described as feeling “high” or detached, is a recognized phenomenon with various non-intoxicant related causes. Understanding the psychological and physiological roots of this feeling provides clarity and reduces associated fear. This sudden shift in perception is not a sign of losing your mind, but an indication that your system is reacting to an internal or external trigger. This article explores the common non-substance causes and offers guidance on how to respond.
Understanding Depersonalization and Derealization
The sensation of feeling “high” or detached often results from two psychological states: depersonalization and derealization. Depersonalization involves feeling detached from your own self, as if watching your life unfold from a distance, or as an outside observer of your thoughts and actions. Individuals may describe feeling emotionally numb, like a robot, or as though their body is not entirely their own.
Derealization is the feeling of detachment from your surroundings, where the external world seems unreal, foggy, or dreamlike. Objects may appear distorted, or the environment may feel unfamiliar. Both are dissociative experiences, functioning as a mental defense mechanism where the mind temporarily disconnects from reality to cope with overwhelming distress.
Experiencing these feelings briefly is common. When episodes become persistent, recurrent, and interfere with daily functioning, it may be diagnosed as depersonalization-derealization disorder. This disorder is generally considered a response to severe stress, trauma, or anxiety.
The Role of Anxiety and Stress Responses
Psychological stress is one of the most frequent triggers for feelings of detachment and altered perception. When the body perceives a threat, the sympathetic nervous system activates the “fight or flight” response, flooding the system with stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This biochemical cascade prepares the body for action but also alters cognitive and emotional processing.
A common symptom of anxiety, particularly during a panic attack, is the onset of dissociative feelings. The intense fear and physiological arousal can lead to hyperventilation, causing a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This change in blood chemistry can result in lightheadedness, dizziness, and a sense of unreality, mimicking aspects of being intoxicated.
The detachment itself is the mind’s protective measure against the overwhelming physical and mental distress of the anxiety attack. By creating a sense of distance from the experience, the mind attempts to buffer the impact of the fear. However, this defense mechanism often becomes a source of further fear, leading to a cycle where the dissociation itself fuels greater anxiety.
Underlying Physiological Conditions
The sensation of being “high” or disoriented can also stem from physical conditions that disrupt normal brain function. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a common culprit because the brain relies on glucose for fuel. When blood glucose levels drop too low, symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and lightheadedness can arise, which are easily mistaken for a detached state.
Perceptual changes can be a symptom of a migraine aura, even if a subsequent headache never develops (a silent migraine). These auras are transient neurological events that cause visual disturbances like shimmering lights or blind spots, or sensory symptoms such as tingling and numbness. These distortions contribute to a feeling that reality is warped or unreal.
Simple physical states like dehydration can lead to lightheadedness, confusion, and altered mental states due to reduced oxygen delivery to the brain. Chronic sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function and judgment, creating a persistent brain fog. Issues with the vestibular system, which controls balance in the inner ear, can also cause vertigo or dizziness that manifests as disorienting unsteadiness.
Immediate Coping and Medical Consultation
When an episode of depersonalization or derealization begins, immediate coping strategies focus on “grounding” yourself back into the present moment. One effective method is engaging your senses, such as the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, which involves naming five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. Focusing on external sensory details, like touching a cold object or clenching your fists, helps redirect attention away from internal feelings of unreality.
These feelings, while frightening, are not dangerous, and practicing deep, slow breathing helps calm the underlying stress response. A medical professional should be consulted to rule out physical causes before attributing symptoms solely to anxiety or stress.
Seek immediate medical attention if the feeling of being detached is accompanied by:
- Severe headaches.
- Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body.
- Difficulty speaking.
- A loss of consciousness.
Persistent symptoms that interfere with work, relationships, or daily life, or if you begin to worry about losing your mind, also warrant professional evaluation.