Definition
Depersonalization, Derealization and Dissociation are three facets of the same problem. In the new version of the DSM, the DSM-5, it is called the Depersonalization and Derealization Disorder, (whereas in the DSM-4 they were two separate disorders.) The DSM categorizes the depersonalization and derealization disorder to be a dissociative disorder, (not an anxiety disorder). The new ICD-10 categorizes DP/DR as a syndrome, (Section F40-F48: Anxiety, dissociative, stress-related, somatic symptom disorder and other non-psychotic mental disorders F48 ) and it categorizes it a neurotic syndrome.
What is Depersonalization and Derealization disorder?
It is a body-mind connection disturbance, where you feel estranged from yourself, not yourself, (depersonalization) and the world feels unreal, foggy and strange, (derealization) your emotions may feel they are not yours, and you may experience a distance from your emotions or yourself (dissociation). On this website I will separate the symptoms of the complete disorder, but, when talking about the disorder, for the sake of easy reading, I will just refer to it as depersonalization.
The depersonalization and derealization disorder is a protective mechanism, a survival mechanism. That means it is caused by a life threatening experience, extreme overwhelming fear or trauma, or a bad trip caused by recreational drugs. More Diagnosis
Acute Depersonalization/Derealization
These three expressions are phenomena that can occur both normally and temporarily during duress like sleep deprivation, some emotional shock, very large changes like moving house/country or mourning (grieving). When depersonalization occurs acutely in these situations, it should dissolve by itself quickly in relatively short amount of time. Sleep deprivation means a shortage of sleep, and the inability to feel you are tired any more, inability to surrender to the tiredness.
Chronic Depersonalization and Derealization Disorder
When DP/DR/dissociation stick around longer, it is termed to be chronic and it is quite a severe and limiting stand alone disorder. This website is intended for those people who have chronic and debilitating disorder, it describes what DP/DR is, what the causes and triggers are, and what can be done to cure it.
The following character traits often stand out with people who have depersonalization and derealization disorder:
They are very sensitive or hypersensitive.
They exhibit a need for control, they want to control their feelings, emotions, thoughts. There is lots of thinking (ruminating) and analyzing.
They often have more of an issue with DP/DR directly after waking, and a little less in the later evening.
There is often social anxiety.
DP as a symptom of
Depersonalization, derealization and dissociation are also symptoms that can be caused by other psychological disorders like hyperventilation, panic attacks (panic disorder), trauma and PTSD, burnout, depression, psychosis, withdrawal symptoms when going cold turkey from addictions, Lyme's disease, etc.
Lastly, depersonalization, derealization and dissociation, together with losing time (and losing your story, waking up in strange places and having no recollection how you got there), and having multiple personalities are also a part of Dissociative Identity Disorder
To causes of depersonalization
To Therapy, treatment, training
