Depersonalization

What Is Depersonalization?

Depersonalization is a feeling of detachment from your thoughts, emotions or body, as though you are observing yourself from outside. Derealization is a feeling that your surroundings are unreal. These experiences alone are not enough to establish a diagnosis. If they recur, persist or interfere with daily life, seek a professional assessment.

The cause and significance of these experiences need individual assessment; unusual bodily perceptions alone do not establish a diagnosis of depersonalization.

Depersonalization is a dissociative symptom in which people feel detached from their thoughts, emotions or body. It can feel as though you are watching yourself from outside, with your actions and feelings seeming unfamiliar.

Depersonalization Symptoms

Depersonalization may involve the following experiences:

1. Feeling Detached From Your Body

You observe your body from outside, as if you are a spectator of your own life.

2. Distorted Self-Perception

You might struggle to recognize your reflection, feel that parts of your body aren't real, or experience a disconnection from your personal identity and sense of self.

3. Altered Emotional Processing

You may perceive your emotions as particularly intense or absent, or feel that they do not belong to you.

4. Disrupted Time Perception

You may feel that time passes very quickly or very slowly, or that certain events have already happened before.

5. Distorted Physical Sensations

Your body may feel unreal. Particular body parts may feel unfamiliar or be perceived differently; for example, an organ may feel too heavy or too light, large or small.

What Causes Depersonalization?

Depersonalization may occur as a separate disorder or as a symptom within other mental health conditions. It can also occur in the following contexts:

• Depersonalization often occurs in the context of severe stress or trauma
• Lack of sleep
• Anxiety disorders and panic disorder
• Drug use or dependence

How Long Does Depersonalization Last?

The duration of depersonalization episodes varies considerably:

• Temporary episodes may last from minutes to several hours
• Persistent experiences can continue for days or weeks
• In some situations, these experiences may continue for longer.

Depersonalization vs. Derealization: Understanding the Difference

Depersonalization and derealization are often considered together and may occur at the same time, but they are different experiences.

• Depersonalization involves feeling detached from yourself, as if you can't control your body or actions
• Derealization creates a sense of detachment from the surrounding world, making reality seem unreal or dreamlike

The main difference is that depersonalization affects the perception of yourself, while derealization affects the perception of your surroundings. In some situations, both can occur together.

When to Seek Professional Help for Depersonalization

Consult a mental health specialist if:

• You experience frequent depersonalization episodes
• Episodes are prolonged
• Symptoms interfere with daily life

Seeking help is a crucial step toward recovery. Mental health professionals can provide accurate diagnosis and develop appropriate treatment plans.

Treatment for Depersonalization

The treatment plan is based on an individual assessment.

• Psychotherapy may help a person cope with symptoms.
• A doctor may prescribe medication for associated depression or anxiety; this does not mean that a particular medication has demonstrated effectiveness specifically for depersonalization.

Sources

Merck Manual Professional — Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

NHS — Dissociative disorders