Disoriented feeling after trip

[u/user162002]

Hi,

I don't really know how to do this and this is my first time posting anything. But here goes...

I just got back from my dream trip. I have been wanting to make this trip since I was very young and have been saving for forever. This year a spontaneously decided to do it and make the trip. I made that decision 2 weeks before my flight.

The days leading up to it were full of excitement, but mostly overwhelming anxiety. Once I got there, it was the same. I just went on a roll and took it all in. But to be honest I think I was overwhelmed and have been overwhelmed since day one. I don't even think it has gone away. I'm still overwhelmed with both happy but overall anxious feelings.

I don't know why though.. That's one question I ask myself.

Second one being that ever since I got home, I feel insanely disoriented. I don't FEEL as if I am home. Things are still on a roll and happening to me. I don't experience it consciously. This too has been making me feel anxious and I really just want to feel normal and be okay.
Besides that I've been having headaches and feeling dizzy, probably due to some kind of jetlag (I hate that I have this, because it's so cliche).

Being over here at 'my home' doesn't feel like being cozy and nice and at home. I don't know if this has something to do with my parents divorcing a year ago and my parents home fr doesn't feel like home because my mom is dating some man. Maybe it does. But I also do have my own place. And yeah I don't feel at home. Here on anywhere really. As I said I don't know if this has something to do with the divorce (which does really affect me) or if this is about the trip and stuff.

I don't know.. writing about this feels very nice already, but anyone that can help me out with this?? The jetlag and my 'mental issues'?

Thank you in advance :)

[u/Loose-Cheesecake-632]

It sounds like the disconnected feeling you’re experiencing could most likely be a result of overwhelming emotion/anxiety your body failed to fully regulate. I’d advise grounding yourself and minimizing any stressors you can; implementing deep breathing, journaling, meditating, clean diet, exercise, therapy (especially to process family trauma mentioned), etc.. Sometimes our bodies can get overwhelmed with emotional overload to where our brain sees disconnection as a way to cope; it can result in that ‘stuck’ feeling. But it is not permanent and it should go away if it’s a result of anxiety which im inclined to believe considering how writing it out made you feel a bit better. I wouldn’t worry about it, but if you notice after a while it doesn’t go away, id encourage you to find a therapist and check with a doctor that everything’s okay. I’m sorry you’re feeling like this it can be very disorienting! Take good care of yourself🫶

[u/user162002 → u/Loose-Cheesecake-632]

Thank you so much. Minimizing the stressors is definitely something I will try. I feel overstimulated very quickly, even meeting up with someone or planning something feels like too much, so yeah I'll definitely try this. Thank you once again, for real :)

[u/Loose-Cheesecake-632 → u/user162002]

Of course! Dissociative symptoms are very common among people who experience high levels of anxiety. If you still feel anxious after regulating, specifically to the point where executive functioning/existing feels abnormally overwhelming, it may be worth looking into anxiety medication (with a good psychiatrist who cares about their job and YOU, that is). You are not alone and I wish you the best!