Here, distancing from the self can be a sort of coping mechanism for feeling lonely or unworthy – although derealization can stem from many other triggers, including genetic and epigenetic causes as well. In this case, depersonalization is normally a symptom of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and can be treated using behavioral therapy, counseling, and other therapy.ĭerealization can stem from the same types of traumas, with many people experiencing the disorder following periods of emotional neglect, especially during early childhood. Here, they may have the impression they were watching or saw the traumatic event happen, but very rarely connect that that person was “them”. Depersonalization is a coping mechanism that many people use to distance themselves from trauma – with some people experiencing traumatic events as having happened to someone who is not them. However, both often manifest as symptoms of other disorders, including PTSD, heavy depression, schizophrenia, and even sleep deprivation.įor many people, depersonalization or derealization disorders also link to early trauma, such as Adverse Childhood Experiences, child abuse including emotional neglect and domestic violence, and to traumatic incidents such as car accidents.
Depersonalization Disorder or a Symptom of Another Disorder?ĭepersonalization and derealization disorders rarely specifically need treatment because episodes simply go away on their own.
These can make it difficult to differentiate dreams from reality, to tell if you’re awake or dreaming, and to feel in control of yourself. With depersonalization, you feel like you aren’t real or that you’re viewing your body as an outsider or as a third party. Here, derealization is the perception that nothing around you is real. Here, specific instances of stress, trauma, panic, drug use, etc., trigger an episode, where the individual then feels either detached from thoughts, feelings, and the body, or disconnected from the world around them (or both). In short, depersonalization/derealization disorder is a disorder in which you experience episodes of feeling detached or disconnected from reality or from yourself. What is Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder? Depersonalization disorder is even more common episodically, with an estimated 2-5% of the adult population experiencing an episode at least once. And, while severe, they chronically affect anywhere from 0.8-2% of the population. These attacks are normally triggered by stress, panic, or even drug use, but can last anywhere from a few hours to weeks at a time. People experiencing episodes can feel like they’re not in control, like they’re living in a dream state, and can even experience visual distortions or fog concealing much of what they see. Depersonalization / derealization disorder is marked by persistent feelings that nothing is real, that the self is detached from the body, and that you are an outside observer of yourself.
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