Permanently zoned out, pixelated vision, memory issues
Posted , 5 users are following.
I passed out in a crowd at a football game 4 months ago and ever since i woke up, I've had "pixelated" or static vision. I've been zoned out ever since. when someone's talking to me, sometimes I don't even hear what they're saying because I'm so zoned out. it's almost like I'm on auto-pilot. I forget things because I'm just going through the motions. I just want to feel like myself again, and feel present in my life. Has anyone experienced anything like this??
0 likes, 10 replies
Guest erin13781
Edited
I'm a retired medical professional from the U.S. and will see if I can get you pointed in the right direction. Depending upon your age, your symptoms as described would suggest the presence of Panic Disorder. These events are often accompanied by chronic anxiety and visual disturbances are not uncommon, with patients describing various visual stimuli that include "snowy" or "cloudy" vision.
Memory difficulties typically arise because of interference by constant ruminations regarding a source of difficulty in life or health concerns in general. Depersonalization and de-realization is also a common feature that can occur in instances of either clinical depression or chronic anxiety/Panic Disorder. Affected individuals describe sensations of being outside their body or experiencing a blunted environment, which is most often due to the effects of anxiety or depression upon the body's senses that normally produce familiar sensations as we interact with the environment around us.
If your symptoms have constantly persisted beyond the syncopal episode, or fainting episode, then it's nevertheless good practice to make an appointment with your primary care physician to be evaluated. While the internet is an excellent resource to speak with others regarding similarities in health concerns, it is definitely an extremely poor resource regarding medical advice or evaluation. So while I can help offer you some degree of explanation for your symptoms, this in no way should represent a sufficient substitution for direct examination by your doctor to not only provide a more thorough evaluation but also establish a plan to help you return to feeling normal once again.
Best regards
erin13781 Guest
Posted
i have seen several doctors: my primary care who referred me to a neurologist, who referred me to an epilepsy specialist, who did a video eeg for 2 days, and then saw a nutritionist, and am now back to square one. I'm 22 years old. what's strange is i didnt feel stressed or panicked in the moment, it just randomly came over me and i passed out. whats more concerning is my symptoms have persisted over 5 months with not a moment of reprieve. i do have pretty bad anxiety, and have not been on any medication in over 2 years. i just want to know how passing out changed my vision and left me with limited cognitive abilities. i just want to be able to function and not be lifeless and zoned out all of the time. would an anti-anxiety or anti-deppressant cure my symptoms? or is this something that could be permanent? I appreciate your time.
Guest erin13781
Posted
It's hardly something that would constitute anything permanent and if you've made the rounds with the specialists mentioned and nothing of concern was evident, then it's likely somatic features of anxiety.
Anxiolytics in the form of benzodiazepines would be the best choice, particular those with the longest half-life, but many of these carry variable addiction potentials and unless seen by a psychiatrist you're unlikely to obtain a prescription for them in most instances. Anti-depressants that claim to have a positive impact upon Panic Disorder as well are within the SSRI, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. While evidence is mixed regarding effectiveness, they do not possess addiction potential and are easier to obtain by prescription.
The one caveat to any medications that target neurotransmitters is that they all carry side-effect profiles that vary, with some that produce as much intolerance for the medication as the symptoms of the disorders. This is not to say that you shouldn't work with a specialist to determine if they can provide relief. I do suggest that you seek working with a psychiatrist because they have a far greater understanding and experience in using this class of medications and know how to navigate dosage schedules necessary to obtain the greatest efficacy or benefit while maintaining the lowest side-effect profile.
Best regards
jan34534 erin13781
Posted
do you know why you passed out at the game?
Did you ever get checked out by your doctor?
if not, it would be a good idea to have a good exam and let the doctor know what happened four months ago plus how you are feeling now.
are you super stressed about something?
stress and anxiety can produce a zoned out feeling along with memory issues when there’s something going on in a persons life.
for now, I would say stay away from things like alcohol, caffeine. Try to drink a good amount of water. But seriously consider a good physical exam.
kenz05 erin13781
Posted
i have also had this experience a couple weeks ago i started with anxiety i didnt pass out but ever since i felt drowsy or not real sort of, the only thing i can say is the more you question it the more your mind makes you feel like you are drousy or dissasociated , tiredness and dizziness all come from anxiety so try not to panic too much about it one day you will realise its not there anymore
erin13781 kenz05
Posted
how long did you have your symptoms? and what symptoms did you have?
kenz05 erin13781
Posted
the symptoms started as and when my anxiety did really is you tend to hyperventilate its what that can cause or in high anxiety situations , as long as you get checked out or speak to the doctors its just mind control getting your mind to realise you are okay and tackling the anxiety from there it might be helpful to maybe speak to a councillor, everything will be okay. wish you the best.
crispy76 erin13781
Edited
Hi,
If it is any help I too have had problems with derealisation whilst at football matches (I was a season ticket holder at the mighty Southampton FC !) at times it was so bad I would have to hold on to the seat to avoid falling over. During this period my eyesight would be very strange - like a goldfish bowl had been pulled over my head (difficult to describe).
I no longer have a season ticket but do still go quite regularly to games. Strangely enough now since not renewing I am finding I am really enjoying going to the games again (maybe due to not feeling obligated to go ? ) and the weird head feelings have pretty much gone.
I think the issues almost certainly are caused by stress / tension / anxiety caused by the atmosphere and people around you. I'm ok with people talking to me as long as they don't start waffling / giving me too much info, which causes the brain fog / head pressure to build.
erin13781 crispy76
Posted
did you ever have your foggy symptoms after you left the game? or did they persist for long periods of time?
crispy76 erin13781
Posted
Hi Erin,
The brain fog / head pressure seemed to ease off after a couple of hours after leaving - at home I don't have any such symptoms at all.