Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder
Published on December 5th, 2018
Updated on January 3rd, 2024
Depersonalization/derealization disorder (DDD) causes a person to suffer from feeling like they are outside of their own body or that the world around them is not real. It is a mental health condition that is triggered by stress. It is treatable, and the first step of seeking treatment is identifying the signs of the disorder.
DDD causes sensations that are very uncomfortable for the affected person. It causes a feeling of being in a dream-like state. This dream-like state can happen at any time and in any situation. The sensation of DDD tends to occur most often when an affected person is feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Most people who suffer from DDD will develop the disorder as a means to cope with stress. It causes a person to dissociate from a stressor. This helps the affected person get through the challenging situation without falling into distress.
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Click HereWhile it may be helpful in the moment, DDD can have long-term consequences on an affected person’s mental health. People with DDD tend to not enjoy the experience.
Symptoms of Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
Most people with DDD will experience one of the two primary sensations at some point in their lives. They will either feel like they are outside of their own body or will feel like they are not real. The experience is uncomfortable, but once the stress has dissipated the sensations fade as well.
The symptoms of DDD are recurring and uncomfortable. They are most often triggered in a time of stress, but can also occur unexpectedly. Symptoms of depersonalization/derealization disorder include:
- The feeling of not existing in reality
- Feeling distress at the questioning of reality
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Feeling out of control with one’s interactions with the world
- Checking and testing one’s own existence and reality
- Out-of-body sensations
- Feeling like an observer of one’s own life, feelings, and interactions with others
- Panicked feeling that comes from uncomfortable symptoms
- Feeling a break from reality in unexpected situations
- Distorted perception and orientation of time and place
- Emotional distress as a result of symptoms
Causes of Derealization/Depersonalization Disorder
Depersonalization / derealization disorder develops as a response to stress. A person who suffers from DDD may have poor stress management skills. They may also struggle with feeling like they fit in or feeling comfortable in their own skin.
There are common factors that may put a person at higher risk of DDD. Such common factors that cause an increased risk of DDD include:
Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders
Research supports that there is a connection between co-occurring mental health disorders. This means that people with DDD also suffer from other mental health conditions.
Such mental health conditions may include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Substance use
- Alcoholism
- Personality Disorders
It is common for people who suffer from DDD to also suffer from another mental health disorder. People who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress management issues tend to be at higher risk of DDD.
Poor Stress Management Skills
People who struggle with stress management tend to be at higher risk of suffering from DDD. High-stress situations tend to trigger the symptoms of the disorder.
It is important to note that stress is subjective. What may be high-risk situations for stress for a person with DDD may not be high-risk for someone without DDD.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors can cause an affected person to be more vulnerable to stress. Stressful environments can cause a person to develop DDD as a means to cope with the stress.
The sensation of being removed from the stressful situation may serve the purpose of minimizing the stress response. The following environmental factors put a person at higher risk of suffering from DDD:
- Growing up in an abusive, neglectful or chaotic environment
- Being a victim of sexual abuse or violence
- Feeling like you do not fit in to your peer group or family
- Not being taught stress management or distress tolerance skills during childhood
- Growing up in an unsafe or hostile community
Treatment Options for Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
Depersonalization / derealization disorder is challenging to cope with daily. A critical part of feeling better is being sure to get the treatment needed to minimize symptoms.
People who suffer from DDD should seek individual therapy to address episodes. This will help to reduce the intensity of symptoms. Types of therapy that help people with DDD include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Research supports that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in reducing symptoms of DDD. CBT helps to identify triggers for episodes. It also teaches stress management skills to prevent recurring episodes.
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
DBT may also be incorporated into counseling. DBT helps to teach acceptance and mindfulness skills to manage stress and other emotions. This helps by replacing DDD reactions with healthy coping skills.
Once an affected person learns coping skills for stress, there is less need to dissociate from the stressful situation. This can result in the need for DDD symptoms to reduce into dormancy.
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