The physician must rule out physical disorders, substance abuse, and other dissociative disorders. Psychologic tests and special interviews are helpful. Prognosis and Treatment Complete recovery is possible for many patients, especially those whose symptoms occurred in connection with stresses that can be dealt with in treatment. Other patients do not respond well to treatment but may gradually improve on their own. The feeling of depersonalization is often transient and resolves spontaneously.
Treatment is warranted only if the disorder is persistent, recurrent, or distressing.
Tranquilizers and antidepressants have helped some patients. Other psychiatric disorders, which are often associated with or precipitated by depersonalization, must be treated. Treatment must address all stresses associated with the onset of the disorder. All rights reserved.