Floating: A Common Anxiety Symptom
Many of us in the sisterhood have described the sensation, during moments of intense anxiety, of watching ourselves as if we were not in our own bodies. Not that I don’t often dream of being in someone else’s body (preferably someone smaller). But this particular anxiety symptom is no one’s dream. It’s weird and frightening and, frankly, can make you think you’ve gone off the deep end.
While Abs describes it like a scene from the movie Ghost, when Patrick Swayze is looking at his just-murdered body, trying to figure out how he is still able to think and talk outside of it, I consider the experience more like I am watching myself move through the world completely disconnected from everyone and everything. Another anxiety sister says it is like “watching yourself from above.”
However you describe the experience, it is common enough that doctors have a name for it: “depersonalization,” which means you actually feel outside yourself—literally, outside your personhood. Abs and I find this term, in itself, anxiety-provoking, so we gave it a kinder, gentler name: floating. We like to think of our minds just taking a rest, hanging out in the air and observing our very anxious bodies from a safe distance. Once our bodies stop spinning with anxiety, our minds will simply float right back into our bodies where they belong.
Whether you refer to this as depersonalization or floating (or losing your mind!), there are very few things scarier than this out-of-body experience. As far as symptoms go, this one is definitely a doozy. And, for panic attack sufferers, it is also fairly common.
If you find yourself floating, here’s what to do:
First, remind yourself that, while utterly discombobulating, this is just a symptom—and a typical symptom which many many others have experienced. You are not alone!
Next, go right to TLC. Talk to yourself (use your mantras), Loosen any constraints like tight clothing, and Cool yourself off. I find that during a floating episode, walking outside (especially if it is cold) helps connect me back to my body. Another woman we interviewed floats so often, she keeps a rubber band on her wrist to snap her back to connectedness.
Been floating? Share your experience with us. What helped you?
Gwen Reeder
Do you think that it will happen if you have ptsd too. I hate that feeling and do it quite often. Yesterday was bad, driving is hard and working with it is the pits.
Abs
Floating is quite common in PTSD sufferers…it’s your brain’s way of escaping. Have you tried the rubber band trick? (Keep a rubber band around your wrist–not too tight, but snug. Whenever you feel yourself starting to float, snap the rubber band a few times and it will bring you back to the here and now.)
Let us know how you are doing.
Abs & Mags
Abigail
I’m just started to deal with this and I will definitely try this routine thank you
Fletcher
I have been doing this for year’s! (floating) I have never shared it before because I had concerns if maybe I had Schizophrenia 🤔 Wow !
Erin
Me too!
Brigitte
I float almost every day all day long. It can be very scarey and really a pain the butt when I need to be getting things done. I have a very hard time holding a conversation because of it.
Amanda
Yes mine is mainiy when i drive have you found anything thsg helps
Lisa Twait
I have definitely experienced this , I remember as a child telling someone about this and their response scared the Bejesus out of me . She said it was the devil trying to take my soul . What ?’!! Boy if that didn’t make maters worse as my anxiety grew along with me . What’s worked for me is when I feel it creeping up on me I start to count or spell things in my head . This is what. I’ve learned now is called grounding. It was a self made coping skill. Much love to you both hope this helps ❤️
Abs
Grounding is an excellent technique for handling “floating.” I used to use a rubber band which I kept on my wrist–whenever I would start to float, I would snap the rubber band and bring myself back…
Much love to you!
Chris Perkins
I have vivid dreams where I am floating above everyone else. So real I have to think if it was a dream or did I really do it.
Mags
Dreams can be so scary too.
Tammy
I started having these episodes as a child and didn’t have the nerve to tell anyone about them until I was about 44 yrs old. I was afraid I was totally crazy. I talk myself through them..but I’m always afraid I’m going to go there and never come back to myself.
Abs
Tammy–
Floating can be very frightening, but, rest assured, you will come back to yourself. But it helps to know how common this symptom is and how many others have experienced the same thing.
Welcome to the Sisterhood!
Abs & Mags
Jes siegel
Help me I’m going crazy.. please help. This started when I was just a little kid. We would be out in the car I fall asleep next thing I know I’m outside my body looking down at a little child asleep in the floor of the car. I wat h for a while I can e en see everyone else in the car. Sometimes I start to scream but no one hears me. I have seen my parents carry me in to the house and puts me in bed. Still watching I’d wake up the nest day as nothing had happened. I must have out grown out of it but it has came back of late.
Amy
Thank you for posting this! I have experienced this for such a long time but I never knew why. I frequently feel like this in social situations. It’s so weird and makes me feel incredibly self conscious. But, like many others, I didn’t want to tell anyone for fear of being judged, etc. This helped finally put a name on it and also gave me some coping skills to help deal with it! Thank you so much!
Mags
Hi,
It sounds like you are having social anxiety (which can be thought of as a phobia). Grounding yourself is a great way to deal with it (see our blog on grounding). The positive side of floating is that while it is really unpleasant, it is not dangerous and nobody else knows what you are experiencing. I used to be a major blusher which sucked because everyone noticed. Also, social anxiety is really treatable with cognitive behavioral therapy and other therapies (and even meds). Much love, Mags and Abs
Deb
I’ve never had the floating but when I’m just falling asleep I feel like the whole bed is violently vibrating and some force (feels like some huge jet engine or something) is lifting my body off the bed and I have to cling on to the mattress for dear life. There’s also incredibly loud roaring sound. It’s so frightening. Has anyone had anything like this? I’ve never had it until the anxiety business started!
Tanja
Yes I had that before. When I had my first out of body experiences it would always be this vibration and strange noises and energy feeling before it would suddenly stop and I find myself outside feeling weightless. To me this was somehow nice and peaceful, kind of a total freedom. So whenever it happened again I would be looking forward to this freedom feeling and at some point it would just happen that I leave my body without these vibrations.
Sadly it doesn’t happen so often any more (I suspect that the reason is too much stress) and only when I’m in a very relaxed state . I really like that weightless feeling, I even got so far to do these airplane flights, where you literally fall out of the sky to get weightless (that must sound strange to many here).
Lately I’ve been so stressed out that I’m really longing for this, most of the times I’m bothered by a feeling as if carrying sacks of lead around and I’m dearly longing for an escape.
Sarah Robbins
Yes every once in a while. Sounds like a jack hammer to me. its very startling. I’ve googled it and the only Thing ive ever found was Something called ‘Exploding head Syndrome
Mags
Hi Deb,
Believe it or not the feeling of falling as you are going to sleep or when you are asleep may have an evolutionary reason/purpose. Some scientists have posited that in an earlier evolutionary state we used to live largely in trees. Falling asleep was often a dangerous time because we could fall out of the tree literally. It is why that feeling of needing to hold on for dear life is the most reported dream/nightmare or feeling as we are going to sleep. It makes sense that your anxiety kicked up this feeling (falling out of a tree would be quite anxiety-provoking and dangerous). So even though your dream comes with noise and vibrations, I imagine that the root is the same. Interesting, right? Mags and Abs
Pamela
This an everyday state of mind for me..it is a defense mechanism of your brain …. called disassociation.I lose track of several days at a time and can’t remember specifics about any particular day..I would like to escape it….but don’t know how
Mags
Pamela,
Yes, disassociation is the clinical term for it. I am wondering if you have gotten any kind of help with this issue? I am so sorry that it lasts for days at a time, that sounds very traumatic. Much love, Mags and Abs
Deb
Yes that is interesting but I sleep on my front and it was like a force was in the air trying to drag me upwards out of the bed. I’ve had the falling sensation but it’s not the same. When I used to hear people speak about anxiety I thought it was a kind of extreme nervous feeling. Until I hit menopause and started suffering from it I had no idea that the symptoms are so wide-ranging and at times, so frightening! x
Cindi Schnetzer
I had my first experience floating last week. It was very scary. I’m going to try wearing a rubberband around my wrist to see if it helps.
Mags
Hi Cindi,
Different techniques work for everyone. Abs uses the rubber band trick. Mags often tries to use the idea of taking a walk (in very cold weather), using a cold cloth or cold water on the face, or eating something with a strong mint taste (a lifesaver, a bit of essential oil, a peppermint)…those types of things that wake up senses often work best.
Mags and Abs
Stephanie
I have literally spent the majority of my life in this state; so much so that i thought it was normal, that it was how it is in everyone’s heads. I had no idea that this was a symptom of anything. I’ve always felt like there were three of me. The ideal healthy self, the self destructive self, and the me that’s in the middle, wondering which way I’ll go, what choice I will make. I even make jokes to my friends like, “This is the part of the movie where I…” I’ve always loved to write, as well, and it makes so much sense now, why I’ve always written in the third person. Maybe for some people, this “symptom” leads to creative arts? Interesting..
Mags
Hi,
The creative arts are, of course, filled with people that are dealing with depression, anxiety, etc. Creative people tend to be outside the mainstream and that is not always easy.
LoriBelle
I was terribly abused sexually as a child by my stepfather. It went on for years. I have terrible anxiety, panic attacks & night terrors to this day. Along with bouts of severe depression.
When I was a child going through this, I left my body all the time at night. Years later I was told by health professionals that this is a very common coping skill for children being abused.
I can remember seeing myself from the air. Floating high above. Sometimes I’d see my tether, other times not.
In the years since, I have found myself wishing I could have that feeling of peace again.
mags
LoriBelle,
So many Anxiety Sisters stand with you in this pain. Yes, floating is an adaptive way to deal with terrible abuse and a way to take one outside a painful and frightening situation. It is a long journey dealing with this very complex PTSD, and we just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. Mags and Abs
Chelsie
I relate to this, not remembering specifics of any day. It’s like my life is a fuzzy dream. Or I’ve looked in the mirror before and it’s like I dont even know who that person looking back at me is. It’s like I’m going threw this life, but at the same time I feel like I haven’t been. Does this make any sense??
mags
Chelsie, This may be connected to floating and slightly different as well. It is really hard not to feel connected to yourself. Sometimes counseling and meds are really helpful in putting it all together, especially if you have been through a lot of trauma. mags and abs
Emily
“ floating” as you are calling it has ( well I think it has) has a big part in causing my driving phobia…I will be in the car and feel like the car is pulling itself… like I’m not in control… and that terrifies me…. I feel this way also when I when I am walking through a big store ( like Wal-Mart) which is why I avoid those places… I know I am walking but I don’t feel anything… I literally feel like I am floating… and that’s so scary…..I’ve never spoke with anyone who has felt this… and I feel like people think I am crazy… I don’t hyperventilate like some… I “ float” and get super agitated with my anxiety… I am a very peaceful person outside of my anxiety…. i feel like I’m watching myself from a distance.. like I’m not there… and that sounds crazy… especially when you say it out loud… I’m so glad it’s not just me….
Abs
You are definitely not alone! We’ve had more than one thousand emails and comments on this topic…
Abs & Mags
Connor Mclean
Hi, I understand completely whT this experience is like. I do ask you though why do you call this a symptom? It is a scientific fact that we are made up of energy and energy is not of the body. Do you know that the word person means ‘mask’ ? Do you know that when you put depersonalization to it then what you are essentially saying is ‘removing the mask’. This is what happens folks. I wouldn’t call this a symptom, I would call this a glimpse into who we really are beyond the body and the mind. Yes suffering can bring these experiences on and it often does because it is here to remind us how short and temporary this life is. It is here to tell us to make the most of what we have in front of us. It is here to share how we can grow and learn through it. Don’t be going to your doctors who only see this as another disorder, they are ignorant of the fact that consciousness is not of the body or the mind. That consciousness goes on after the body and the mind die. There is no ‘my’ body. Who ever says it was your body? It’s the earths body. My body or that language or my and me is nothing more than the self thinking it owns everything. Get rid of that thinking if you can because it only blinds you to the deeper truths of life. If you can see beyond this into what it actually is what science actually backs up, your suffering could be the beginning of your awakening. Your come from the light and will return to it and consciousness is of the light. It’s only here for a short time having a human experience. Consciousness is your soul. It’s your soul that’s removing itself so it doesn’t get hurt or whatever as it’s too painful but once it doesn’t feel it will get hurt then it can return and participate again in the experience but until then, it will only be a watcher. That’s my take on things, don’t call it an illusion but an awakening to something more that’s what I think.
Andrea shine
I am in my 60s. I vividly remember the first time this ‘floating’ happened. I was 7 years old. I was ‘floating’ just beneath the ceiling in my bedroom, Looking down at my self sleeping. My childhood years were filled with terror and fear ( it was unfortunately reality – – the adults around me). So yes I have PTSD and have been working to move through that for years. Wonderful to see your FB post about ‘floating’. Thank you for all the insight & help you give to others.
Rebecca Matheson -Omondi
My floating feels more like im going to faint. most times out of the blue, really random and scary, i sometimes pinch my arm to bring me back, other times i do some box breathing.
Annie
I suffer so much from this symptom. Today is one of those days. It causes me not to want to leave my house. My body goes weightless and like i am barely there. Its like my soul is leaving me. I can’t believe others go through this. I find it weirdly comforting. But this is an absolutely terrifying symptom. I have PTSD.
Jana
51 years old and this is the first time I’m learning I’m not the only one who has gone through this as a child. Thank you all for sharing!
Posterkid11
When I was very young, I have some memories of me seeing me, (I don’t see my body, Its more like I’M floating, not my soul) float away into the Ceiling, I then am in bed with my parents at Daytime. Please explain, I was 1-6
Trisha
How do you snap the band on wrist if your asleep ?
Abril
I feel like im floating, ill look myself in the mirror and not recognize myself, and im scared, like I’ll close my eyes and calm myself down but then im scared to open my eyes and feel it all over again. I’m scared and i feel like im going crazy but now i know that im not the only one deal with this.