Feeling Detached: Mental Health Challenges in Adolescents

Feeling disconnected from life?

It seems that I have been experiencing this phenomenon since I was in the second year of junior high school, and it continues to this day in my third year of vocational school.
During junior high, it occurred about 3 to 4 times a year, and now in vocational school, it happens about 2 to 3 times a year, each episode lasting around 7 to 8 days.
Sometimes, it appears the day after I feel down.
When this situation arises, it feels like I am living in a dream, as if I am controlling myself from within an empty shell.
I used to care a lot about what others thought, but now I don't care at all.
I easily feel fatigued, fear facing people and situations, and just want to rush home and hide under the covers, wanting to escape from everything.
I feel very sleepy and can sleep from around 7 PM to 5 AM the next day.
Even after such a long sleep, I still feel sleepy at school, and when I wake up, I can only stay awake for about 10 minutes before drifting back into dreams.
It’s hard to concentrate; I can't pay attention in class or focus on exams, and I feel unusually surprised by things that normally wouldn't bother me.
I really don't want to talk or face any questions from others; I just want to brush them off quickly.

I’m not sure if this is related to academic pressure or peer pressure, as my junior high teachers were very strict, with many exams and corrections that had to be done 10 or 20 times.
My grades were in the lower half of the class, but I still had high expectations for myself, so I would be very concerned when I did poorly.
In interactions with classmates, I felt like they might look down on me.
Additionally, I have had a stutter since the sixth grade, which makes social interactions even more challenging and increases my anxiety about being laughed at, leading me to dislike speaking and increasing my stress.

After entering vocational school and choosing the horticulture program, the academic pressure feels less intense than in junior high, and the teachers are not as strict, so the frequency of my symptoms has decreased to 2 to 3 times a year.
I feel a bit better overall, and I regularly work on a farm and interact with plants, which seems to relieve some of my stress.
My grades have improved to the upper half of the class, and my interactions with peers are much better than in junior high, but I still cannot control my stutter.

I would like to ask the doctor what kind of condition this is and how I can return to normal.
Additionally, how can I manage my anxiety and lack of confidence, which causes me to speak quickly, unclearly, or struggle to say certain words, especially when they are the first word in a sentence?

Allen, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/04/02

Dr. Zhang Gengjia reply Psychiatry

Dear Sir/Madam,
Based on your description of the issues you mentioned, it appears that, on the surface, there is a lack of self-confidence.
However, living in this world often brings about a persistent pressure, a voice deep within that echoes feelings of inadequacy: "Not enough, not enough, you haven't done enough." I hope this voice can guide you to overcome the weaknesses and downfalls of being human.
To respond more powerfully to this voice, one can continuously transcend and improve.
The value of a person is not measured by how much money they can earn or how famous they can become, but rather by their contributions to society and the nation.
A janitor is not inferior to a president; if one is fortunate enough to engage in a noble profession, they should strive even harder.
However, to balance other ideals in life, there is a responsibility to become a better person.
Trust and doubt are not necessarily at opposite extremes; often, they exist along a thin dividing line.
A person who constantly reflects on their position and doubts themselves can channel this energy in the right direction to achieve continuous improvement.
Feelings of inferiority and the drive to transcend often hinge on a single thought.
However, a lack of focus can significantly impact one's life.
Many people struggle to maintain sufficient concentration and often find themselves zoning out or daydreaming during activities, making it difficult to complete tasks as planned, leading to increased frustration.
Our institution has recently introduced a treatment method based on neurophysiological feedback.
This approach emphasizes training the brain's "experience circuits" through the principles of neuropsychological therapy.
By utilizing "cognitive tasks," we assist individuals in developing concentration skills.
Neurophysiological feedback then guides adolescents to experience the focused brainwave states associated with concentration.
This experience can be practiced through the brain's "automation circuits" to form replicable habits, allowing individuals to better understand and achieve focus.
Research has confirmed that this type of training can enhance children's understanding of their self-state and their ability to control it.
Consequently, they can "actively" switch to a focused channel when needed, maintaining stable attention performance.
Those who have undergone this training often report that they can actively experience and create moments of focus in their daily lives.
Wishing you peace, joy, and fulfillment.
Sincerely,
Zhang Gengjia
Department of General Psychiatry, Chianan Psychiatric Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare

Reply Date: 2016/04/02

More Info

Feeling detached and experiencing emotional fluctuations can be quite challenging, especially during adolescence when individuals are navigating significant life changes, academic pressures, and social dynamics. Based on your description, it seems you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to anxiety, depression, or possibly a dissociative disorder. These feelings of detachment, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating are common among adolescents facing stressors, including academic performance and peer relationships.

Understanding Your Symptoms
1. Detachment and Dissociation: The sensation of living in a dream or feeling like you're in a shell can be indicative of dissociation. This is a psychological response to stress where individuals may feel disconnected from their thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity. It often occurs as a coping mechanism during overwhelming situations.

2. Fatigue and Sleep Issues: Your excessive sleep and ongoing fatigue may suggest that your body is trying to cope with emotional distress. Sleep disturbances are common in individuals experiencing anxiety and depression. While sleep is essential for recovery, oversleeping can sometimes exacerbate feelings of lethargy and disconnection.

3. Social Anxiety and Pressure: The fear of judgment from peers and the pressure to perform academically can lead to significant anxiety, which may manifest as avoidance behaviors, such as wanting to retreat from social situations. Your history of stuttering may also contribute to this anxiety, making interactions feel more daunting.

4. Coping Mechanisms: Engaging in gardening and horticultural therapy seems to provide you with some relief. This form of therapy can help reduce stress and improve mood by allowing individuals to connect with nature, which is a positive coping strategy.

Recommendations for Recovery
1. Seek Professional Help: It is crucial to speak with a mental health professional who can provide a comprehensive evaluation and support. They can help determine if your symptoms align with a specific diagnosis, such as anxiety disorder, depression, or a dissociative disorder. Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can be effective in addressing anxiety and depression.

2. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga, can help ground you in the present moment and reduce feelings of detachment. These techniques can also help manage anxiety and improve focus.

3. Gradual Exposure to Social Situations: Gradually exposing yourself to social situations can help reduce anxiety over time. Start with smaller, more comfortable interactions and slowly work your way up to larger groups. This can help build your confidence and reduce the fear of judgment.

4. Speech Therapy: Since you mentioned stuttering, working with a speech therapist could be beneficial. They can provide strategies to help you manage your speech anxiety and improve your communication skills.

5. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and good sleep hygiene can significantly impact your mental health. Physical activity, in particular, is known to release endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.

6. Open Communication with Family: If you feel comfortable, share your experiences with trusted family members. They may provide support and understanding, which can alleviate some of the emotional burdens you are carrying.

Conclusion
Your experiences are valid, and seeking help is a courageous step toward recovery. Remember that mental health challenges are common, especially during adolescence, and there are effective treatments available. By addressing these issues with the support of professionals and loved ones, you can work towards feeling more connected and engaged in your life. Don't hesitate to reach out for help; you deserve to feel better and to thrive in your environment.

Similar Q&A

Do I Need Therapy? Understanding Mental Health Struggles in Teens

Hello, doctor. I am currently a high school student. During my third year of junior high, the pressure was particularly intense as I prepared for high school entrance exams. Initially, I felt disconnected from my family and friends, doubting their love and concern for me. I would...

Dr. Liang Sunyuan reply Psychiatry
Hello: Crying without reason at night, not wanting to interact with others, and having suicidal impulses can be very distressing. However, it seems that having a clear life goal has helped alleviate these feelings. Recently, though, it appears that these feelings have resurfaced....

Feeling Increasingly Isolated: Navigating Mental Health Challenges

The workplace environment is quite cold among colleagues, and a former classmate once mentioned that if one still feels interpersonal issues after changing to a new work environment, it might be worth considering whether the problem lies within oneself. This brings to mind the me...

Dr. Ding Shuyan reply Psychiatry
Hello, the situation you are facing is something many people with depression have experienced. Negative thinking, uncontrollable intrusive thoughts, lack of self-confidence, social withdrawal, and so on. These symptoms can be very distressing and feel endless. However, I want to ...

Understanding Anxiety Disorders and Family Dynamics in Adolescents

Hello Doctor, I am currently in the first year of junior high school. Since last summer when school started, I have been experiencing excessive anxiety and social anxiety, often worrying about illnesses (like parasites), having a fear of heights, insects, and stairs, a sensation ...

Dr. Li Guanying reply Psychiatry
From your letter, it is clear that you are experiencing discomfort and distress due to both anxiety and family issues. 1. Facing an uncertain future, depression and anxiety are common disorders in modern society. These are chronic conditions that require long-term treatment for...

Understanding Existential Thoughts and Emotional Distress in Adolescents

Hello, doctor. I have been troubled by this issue for about a week, and I don't know why. While watching a movie, a thought suddenly crossed my mind: "This is fake. Why am I watching this? What is the meaning of it?" This thought inexplicably arises, and the same h...

Dr. Dai Wanxiang reply Psychiatry
Based on your description, it is currently difficult for me to determine the exact cause of your issues, and I can only make some simple speculations. Each individual faces different challenges regarding the significance of life and existence at various developmental stages. As a...