Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder

What is Depersonalization?

Depersonalization is the experience of being detached from yourself. It may feel like you are observing yourself from a distance, and you may feel a loss of identity or control over your actions.  You may feel like you are floating above your body or feel like a robot. It may also feel like parts of your body are distorted or not the right size or shape. For example, your limbs may feel too big or too small.

What is Derealization? 

Derealization is the experience of being detached from the external world as if the environment around you is unreal, distorted, or dream-like. It may feel like the world around you is like a movie or video game, and you may feel disconnected from other people, places, or situations. The environment may look or feel distorted; objects may be an unusual shape, or things may look blurry.

Depersonalization vs. Derealization

Depersonalization and derealization are separate experiences, yet they can overlap. Depersonalization is focused on yourself, and derealization is focused on the external world. With depersonalization, you are detached from yourself, and your body or mind may feel unreal, and with derealization, the world around you feels unreal. Both experiences can include a sense of emotional detachment, feeling numb, or feeling distressed or confused.

It is common to occasionally feel detached from yourself or the world, yet if you are experiencing this consistently, it can lead to difficulty functioning and getting through the day.

Causes and Impact

Depersonalization and/or derealization can be caused by high levels of stress or traumatic events. For example, when someone experiences trauma, they may automatically detach from their body or the environment as a form of self-protection or a way to cope. Severe mental health symptoms can also lead to depersonalization or derealization, and substance use may increase the risk of these experiences. Further, lacking awareness of your internal experience, including your thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations, may exacerbate a feeling of detachment. Certain medical conditions, such as seizures, can also lead to depersonalization or derealization.

Feeling detached from yourself or the world around you can be confusing and distressing. It also may make it difficult to focus and complete tasks and may create stress or distance in your relationships, particularly if your symptoms are leading you to feel detached from others.

This University of Michigan article provides an overview of depersonalization-derealization disorder.

Treating Depersonalization and Derealization

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) can help you learn tools to connect to your thoughts, emotions, body, and the environment around you and manage stress. For example, learning and practicing mindfulness exercises to notice and name how you are feeling, or learning ways to help distract yourself from your symptoms, so you can engage in tasks.

Also, it may be helpful to talk about past stressful situations or traumatic events and learn tools for effectively processing them. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety that are contributing to or worsening depersonalization or derealization, therapy can also help you to manage and cope with these symptoms, which will likely lessen depersonalization and derealization.

To learn more about managing symptoms of depersonalization or derealization, please contact us at CBT Denver.