Strange 'brain shut down' in an awkward situation...

Drivemycar · Newbie User Joined: Mar 30, 2008 Posts: 72

I just got home from watching the movie Speed Racer with a friend. We got out of the theatre after the movie and were almost out the front doors when I bumped into a friend from school. It kind of surprised me, and I felt really embarassed and didn't know what to say. He's sort of awkward himself...I said hi, he asked what movie I saw, and I asked what movie he saw...then it got weird. All of a sudden my mind sort of shut down. I had this weird surreal feeling. I kept talking to my friend yet it felt like I was imagining talking to him. I was talking, but really didn't pay attention to my words. He said 'sorry, I must be making this awkward for you...' I said 'no, not really' and then we both said bye. The theatre was crowded, but it seemed like I couldn't hear a sound. All the sounds were jumbled together and all I could really hear was my friend talking to me. It sounded kind of like her voice was coming from the back of my head. I kept telling her how weird the feeling was an how it was kind of scaring me. It also made my stomach hurt and made me feel dizzy. This has never happened to me before. Plus, the friend that I was talking to from school always makes me feel comfortable. I never get shy around him. It was strange. Could this have been a panic attack?

mustang · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 6:35 am Post subject:

Doesn't sound like a Panic Attack to me. Sounds like you just had a brain fart. It's scientifically proven that watching TV or a movie reduces brain activity and puts your body in a vegetative state for some time. I wouldn't worry about it.

recluse · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 10:37 am Post subject:

Thatsd happened to me too, it's kind of when you suddenly get put on the spot when you see someone you know, so it could be a panic attack in a mild form.

Doomed2Die · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject:

Sounds like derealisation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derealization

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IWouldPreferNotTo · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject:

This kind of thing happens to me when I see someone I know in a place I wouldn't expect to see them. I once saw a family member (my dad's cousin) at the grocery story and I recognized his face, but didn't know who it was for a good 10 seconds or so. It was very awkward.

Drivemycar · Newbie User Joined: Mar 30, 2008 Posts: 72

I guess it must have been the unexpectedness of seeing him there. Man was it ever weird!

lonely_world · Intermediate User Joined: Jul 04, 2007 Posts: 145

I've been told by a psychiatrist that these episodes are caused by anxiety, and our inborn instinct to use the 'fight or flight' response in a threatening situation. For me though, I think i'm just totally fried from all the anxiety,fear and depression over the years.

lonely_world · Intermediate User Joined: Jul 04, 2007 Posts: 145

I've been told by a psychiatrist that these episodes are caused by anxiety, and our inborn instinct to use the 'fight or flight' response in a threatening situation. For me though, I think i'm just totally fried from all the anxiety,fear and depression over the years.

IcarusUnderWater · Advanced User Joined: Dec 24, 2007 Posts: 336

What makes me unconscious during interaction is my breathing. I will stop breathing because i am panicking inside and this actually switches my mind off/sends me to sleep.

Sometimes i will also just smile and not really be paying attention to the other person because i feel so anxious. That usually happens if i bump in to someone i haven't seen for a long time... god im so pissed off with this anxiety crap. Evil or Very Mad