What Is Depersonalization? Signs, Symptoms, and How to Cope

What Is Depersonalization? Signs, Symptoms, and How to Cope

Have you ever felt like you are not yourself, or have you been observing yourself from outside your body? It’s like reality has a hazy layer above it and objects in the world seem unreal. If so, you may be experiencing depersonalization, which is a kind of dissociative disorder that affects many people at some point in their life.

In this article, we’ll look at what depersonalization is, possible reasons for it, typical signs and symptoms, and treatment and coping strategies that can help.

Defining Depersonalization

Thus, what is, actually, depersonalization? In simple terms, it’s a mental dissociative state, which is defined by a certain feeling of detachment or disconnection from one’s own mind and body. The experience of depersonalization is, often, described run away with “out-of-body experience,” which means a state of being at a place, for instance, in the sky, where you clearly see yourself from the outside.

There are cases when depersonalization occurs alongside derealization—a feeling of a strange, unreal, or distorted world. Objects may seem opaque, automatic, lifeless, or two-dimensional. Sensations such as the sounds echoing in the distance or that are very quiet may be apparent or one can have tunnel vision or feel emotionally unattached; these sorts of alterations are often perceptual.

Despite the unsettling and alarming nature of depersonalization, it is good to know that it is not a harmful entity nor a manifestation of psychosis. This mental state is one of the defence mechanisms that the human being has, most commonly to trauma, extreme stress, or anxiety.

What Causes Depersonalization?

A multiplicity of factors can be triggering episodes of depersonalization such as:

• Severe stress or anxiety
• Panic attacks
• DepressionTraumatic experiences (accidents, assaults, childhood abuse)
• Overwhelming emotions
• Sleep deprivation or severe fatigue
• Certain drugs (marijuana, hallucinogens, ketamine)
• Illness (epilepsy, migraine)

Depersonalization-derealization disorder (DDD) is characterized by a key sign called depersonalization. DDD is identified in individuals by continuous and persistent feelings of detachment which are very disturbing and disruptive in the dynamics of work, relationships, and daily living.

Signs and Symptoms of Depersonalization

How do people experience depersonalization? Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms reported by individuals:

• Being outside your own body like you’re floating away from yourself
• The impression that your body, legs or arms are bent, enlarged, or reduced
• Numbness either mentally or physically, feeling like
• A lack of emotional or physical touch, or a feeling of “dead inside”
• Feeling like a robot or automaton, merely “going through the motions”
• For some people, memories are felt like they were someone else’s
• For some, the environment presents itself as an unreal, dreamlike, foggy, or distorted visual
• A feeling outside of the flow of time or that time has slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating and recalling things
• A belief that you are about to lose control or “become insane”

Even though people experience symptoms in a way that sometimes causes sodrivers of relational estrangement, depersonalization can start as a pain experience or it can élong or persist chronically. For those who suffer from DDD, the symptoms usually appear continuously during the weeks, months, or even years.

Treatments for Depersonalization

If you’re grappling with incapacitating depersonalization, what should you do? The reality is there are quite a few scientifically validated therapies and pharmacological treatments offering significant consolation:

Psychotherapy

Talking therapy with a qualified mental health professional is the first-line treatment for depersonalization. Techniques that may be beneficial include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – The “CBT” therapy method which is generally considered to be the first choice of treatment for depersonalization. The most common components of this therapy are recognizing and changing negative thoughts and behaviors contributing to depersonalization. Usually, grounding and mindfulness techniques are included in CBT.
• Dialectic behavior therapy (DBT) – Teaching toleration of distress and control of emotions as well as the skills for effective interpersonal relationships falls under DBT. When trauma-related depersonalization is addressed, DBT is often a major part of curative therapy.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) – Is a series of wound-healing sessions in which the therapist uses a method called bilateral eye movements to enable the client to address the trauma. This type of therapy can also be used to relieve symptoms of dissociation such as depersonalization and reprocessing of traumatic memories.

Medication

There is no specific medication that can cure depersonalization, but resorting to certain antidepressants like Zoloft or Prozac may help disturb its symptoms. The antidepressant prescription embolization usually associated with that disease may modify the other medications to speed up their activities. Moreover, the drug buprenorphine the painkiller associated with the same disorders may also modify their actions.

• Antidepressants – SSRIs like Prozac or Zoloft can alleviate depersonalization symptoms for some. SNRIs and tricyclics may also be used.
• Anti-anxiety medications – Benzodiazepines like Klonopin or Xanax are sometimes prescribed to reduce severe anxiety fueling depersonalization. However, they can be habit-forming.
• Lamotrigine – It is an anticonvulsant of choice that has been shown in studies to decrease dissociation. Usually, it is necessary to employ slow titration due to the severe risk of rash.

Medications will be prescribed according to your symptoms, history, and other factors of your personality and body. A psychiatrist can help you identify the best option.

Dealing with Depersonalization

Several grounding and self-help methods can be used in conjunction with professional counseling as a way to ameliorate and eliminate the symptoms of depersonalization:

• Practice mindfulness – Focus your attention on the existing moment by the use of your 5 senses. What you are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling must be described.
• Be physically grounded – Pour some water on your face, squeeze a stress ball, eat or drink something strong-tasting, jump up and down, or rub your hands together.
• Consciously and slowly breathe – Inhale and exhale in a steady and deep manner, making sure your stomach rises and falls. Aim for 6-8 breaths per minute.Time and space orientation – Combine verbal and factual information to come up with a cohesive story. The story should include, “this is the date”, “I am here”,” and “the task I am doing now”.
• Adhere to a routine – Reliable structures and predictable activities will support the virtual reality activity by keeping you grounded in reality.
• Steer clear of drugs and alcohol – These substances can worsen the long-term depersonalization effects. Be faithful to prescribed medication.
• Foster self-kindness – This is a condition that cannot be blamed on the victim. Take time to take care of yourself by being gentle and forgiving as you recover.
• Connect with others. Be prepared to reach out to your family and friends as often as you have to. This method can help you feel more satisfied with your presence during the day.

Conclusion

For many, the feeling of being disconnected from themselves can be a nightmare, and for others, it can be a paradox. It is important that you do not feel you are alone. There is nothing unusual about depersonalization, and with the right methods, you can feel real, linked, and yourself again.

If you are feeling a sense of disconnection, do not hesitate to contact a psychotherapist. Big part of the patients can minimize and manage depersonalized symptoms through prompt help.