Can't recognize family, no matter how hard I try

[[WT...]]

What kind of hell is this?

[[Pa...]]

I'm having the same problem. You're not alone. As far as coping goes I haven't found anything that remotely helps. It's a very very disturbing symptom. I also feel I have no history with them, like I don't know why theyre my family. It's so awful. I pray that this resolves itself.

[[Bi...]]

I, now recognize all of my family. I did go through something like this as well. It passes.

[[Sa...]]

I've had that problem at times too, very scary! Hell is the perfect word to describe it WTBNA. There have been times where I can't remember what they look like if I'm trying to think about them also. I believe it's the dr/dp...it keeps me completely out of this world.  Hang in there, I know how crappy it feels.

[[Me...]]

Wow, it's good to hear others struggle with this odd feeling.

 

Do you literally mean you don't recognize them or that you strangely seem to feel nothing for them? 

 

I know who mine are, but sometimes feel like I don't love them at all.  Like, there's just no feelings of closeness, affection, warmth, nothing.  I hate it. 

 

I didn't associate this with benzo issues.  I thought was part of the mood episode I've been in (manic depression diagnosis in 2006, unmedicated so far, haven't found tolerable med.)

 

It does come and go, though.  How about you?  Come and go or been remaining steadily?

[[...]]

Wow, it's good to hear others struggle with this odd feeling.

 

Do you literally mean you don't recognize them or that you strangely seem to feel nothing for them? 

 

I know who mine are, but sometimes feel like I don't love them at all.  Like, there's just no feelings of closeness, affection, warmth, nothing.  I hate it. 

 

I didn't associate this with benzo issues.  I thought was part of the mood episode I've been in (manic depression diagnosis in 2006, unmedicated so far, haven't found tolerable med.)

 

It does come and go, though.  How about you?  Come and go or been remaining steadily?

 

Same here Melodie. Exactly the same here...I feel this disconnect...it comes and goes for me.  How far off are you?

[[Wi...]]

I fall into the "strangely seem to feel nothing for them" category.  Sometimes are worse than others.  I try not to show this, or let on to them since I know the feeling will come back and I'm trying to minimize the losses as, like many here, I have sustained many during this process.  If I indulged in this, I'd just shut the door on them all because I just don't care.  But I know this will pass, and at some point I'm going to want them back.

 

Probably what is most distressing is that I can't connect many memories to people in my life. Again, I know them by face, but the history appears to be missing.

[[Pa...]]

On some level I must recognize them or else I'd completely freak out. However it does feel like I lost facial recognition. Those closest to me appear the most unfamiliar. People I hardly know that I'll talk to in passing running errands etc appear completely normal and unchanged. It's like a cruel joke that I feel more comfortable around grocery store clerks than my own family.

[[WT...]]

Thanks for the replies, everyone, I'm having such a hard time with this hellish symptom.  I don't know how to describe it really -- it's like a combination of all the descriptions above.  I know who they are intellectually, but when I look at them, it's like this completely disconnected foreign feeling.  This also applies to my home, and life in general, but it's the family part that is most disturbing to me.

[[sw...]]

I could not recognize myself in the mirror in low light settings (as in, after dark) for most of withdrawal, and I don't mean that in some figurative sense.  It was very strange, in that it basically looked like me, but also didn't look like me.  Clearly, I knew it must be some withdrawal symptom, but it was always paired with an artificial feeling of fear like it was something foreign that was mimicking me and would attack me if I got too close.

 

Anyway, I'm happy to say it's largely worn off, and I expect it will ultimately wear off completely- just as it will for you, too.

 

Best wishes.

 

[[WT...]]

I could not recognize myself in the mirror in low light settings (as in, after dark) for most of withdrawal, and I don't mean that in some figurative sense.  It was very strange, in that it basically looked like me, but also didn't look like me.  Clearly, I knew it must be some withdrawal symptom, but it was always paired with an artificial feeling of fear like it was something foreign that was mimicking me and would attack me if I got too close.

 

Anyway, I'm happy to say it's largely worn off, and I expect it will ultimately wear off completely- just as it will for you, too.

 

Best wishes.

 

 

The reflection thing sounds frightening indeed.  I do experience not recognizing myself in the mirror in some odd way too, but it's not as dramatic as my family.  I'm glad that this horrifying thing is passing for you.  I've had this basically my entire w/d.  Today makes the first day of my 7th month off, and it's so strong today, that I'm just out of it.  I just wish my brain would snap out of it.

[[...]]

WTBNA, the part of being afraid of them is slowly starting to lift, thank God!!!

 

I have heard of some people turning a corner at the 6-8 month timeframe...yours may be coming soon!!!

[[WT...]]

WTBNA, the part of being afraid of them is slowly starting to lift, thank God!!!

 

I have heard of some people turning a corner at the 6-8 month timeframe...yours may be coming soon!!!

 

Hi, mmir. I'm extremely happy that your fear is lifting.   I sure hope that my corner is coming up soon, because I need it so bad.  I hope you get one too, because I identify with a lot of the symptoms you mentioned, and know how hard they are to deal with.

[[...]]

It's just the fear of my family that is lifting...all the other fears are there but I can sometimes just barely rationalize with them and make them stop...I need a corner soon too!!!!

 

 

[[WT...]]

It's just the fear of my family that is lifting...all the other fears are there but I can sometimes just barely rationalize with them and make them stop...I need a corner soon too!!!!

 

I don't have the fear with them as much either anymore, but the DP/DR aspect seems to worsen at times.  To say this without any exaggeration or metaphorical implications -- I only know them, and my home logically, as there is NO normal emotional recognition.  This feels like such a damaging symptom, but from what I hear, it's the brain's way of protecting us, but it seems to be doing the opposite to me.

[[WT...]]

It's just the fear of my family that is lifting...all the other fears are there but I can sometimes just barely rationalize with them and make them stop...I need a corner soon too!!!!

 

Mmir, I replied to your pm, but it said I couldn't send because your inbox was full. 

[[an...]]

I don,t have any feelings for my family at all esp since they haven,t been there and say I should have stayed on the klon,has anyone elses family said this remark?  Thanks angel

[[...]]

Ok, done.  I just cleared up my inbox.

[[WT...]]

I don,t have any feelings for my family at all esp since they haven,t been there and say I should have stayed on the klon,has anyone elses family said this remark?  Thanks angel

 

They do try to get me to take other meds, but I won't give in.  I will take nothing, not even Tylenol.

[[Pa...]]

I'm sorry that your family hasn't been supportive of your decision coming off Klon. That's gotta be hard not to have the support of your family. Mine has been really supportive throughout most of this, especially during Paxil withdrawals. When I started tapering the Xanax things got pretty bad and our house and foreclosed on. I've been pretty much on my own since then and it's been hard.

[Guest [...]]

hey there

 

before I start Zak you are not alone anymore mate remember that.  I dont have the problem with the recognising bit but have no emotions towards anyone when i once had the most overwhelming love.  But will say that when i stabilised before this ridiculous last cut all the feelings started coming back and now they have disappeared again.  Im not worried im sure it is your bodies way of saying i just cant spare any more feelings than the ones we are dealing with.

 

 

Lizzy

[[Pa...]]

Thanks lizzy