Derealization

Definition

Derealization is a feeling that one’s surroundings are not real.

Layman’s Terms Definition

You know the whole “we’re in a simulation” joke. Yeah… so… that. Derealization feels like you’re the only real thing in existence. Not in a narcissistic way… more in a truman show existential terrifying mental health collapse way. Fun stuff. 

Degrees of Derealization

Derealization does have a disordered form (i.e. if it gets to an extreme enough level it does become a disorder. 

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder (DPDR)

Description

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder is when you feel severely detached from your own thoughts and feelings and your physical body (depersonalization), and disconnected from the environment around you (derealization). 

People with this disorder are aware that their experiences are abnormal. They are not losing touch with reality, they are simply having an abnormal experience that they are able to identify as abnormal. DPDR can also be a sign of other conditions such as brain diseases, seizure disorders, and psychiatric disorders like dementia and schizophrenia. 

Symptoms Can Include

• Feelings of being an observer in one’s own thoughts, feelings, body, and/or life in general
• Feeling out of control of one’s own movements/speech or feeling robotic
• Sensations that limbs may be distorted to different sizes or shapes or your head is muffled
• Emotional or physical numbness

Prevalence

It is estimated that 2% of the global population is diagnosed with DPDR.

What Causes This Disorder to Form?

Researchers don’t know what causes this disorder to form. Most everyone experiences depersonalization and derealization transiently (briefly). It only becomes a disorder when it is prolonged and becomes a major affecting issue on the person’s life. 

Biological and environmental factors can have an effect in an individual developing the disorder. Some may be at a higher risk for developing DPDR due to:

• A nervous system that’s naturally less reactive to emotions.
• Other personality or mental health disorders.
• Physical conditions or seizure disorders.

Dissociative disorders can also occur due to trauma or intense stress such as (but not limited to):

• Having a parent with a severe mental illness.
• Abuse (witnessing or experiencing it)
• Life threatening danger
• Accidents
• Natural disasters
• Death of loved ones
• Violence
• War
• Medical Trauma

Other cases can include:

• Certain drugs, such as hallucinogens
• Extreme sleep deprivation
• Sensory stimulation

Additional Facts

This disorder tends to develop earlier in life. The average age for developing this disorder is 16. It will rarely develop after the age of 40. 

Treatment

• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectic-behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Family Therapy
• Creative Therapies
• Meditation and relaxation techniques
• Clinical hypnosis (hypnotherapy)
• Medication (there is no specific medication for DPDR, but treating co-morbids like depression or anxiety can lessen other symptoms that are causing issues that might be contributing to DPDR and might therefore help lessen DPDR’s affects on the patient’s daily life.)

Sources

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