Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.UnrealityThe following page includes discussions of unreality, including delusions, hallucinations, derealization, and depersonalization. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder (DPD/DPDR)** occurs when one persistently or repeatedly has the feeling that they are observing themselves from outside of their body or have a sense that things around them are not real, or both. This disorder is more common in individuals who've had traumatic experiences.

Individuals with this condition do not lose touch with reality. This is not a psychotic disorder, as the individual is fully aware that what they are experiencing is not real.

## Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms usually begin in the mid-to late teens or early adulthood. Depersonalization-derealization disorder is rare in children and older adults.

### Depersonalization

* Feeling that one is an outside observer of their thoughts, feelings, their body or parts of the body.
* Feeling like a robot or that one is not in control of their speech or movements.
* The sense that ones body, legs or arms appear distorted, enlarged or shrunken, of that their head is wrapped in cotton.
* Emotional or physical numbness of ones senses or responses to the world around them.
* A sense that ones memories lack emotion, or that they may or may not be ones own memories.

### Derealization

* Feelings of being alienated from or unfamiliar with ones surroundings, like living in a movie or a dream.
* Feeling emotionally disconnected from individuals one cares about, as if they were separated by a glass wall.
* Surroundings that appear distorted, blurry, colorless, two-dimensional or artificial, or a heightened awareness and clarity of the surroundings.
* Distortions in perception of times, such as recent events feeling like distant past.
* Distortion of distance and the size and shape of objects.

Episodes of depersonalization-derealization disorder may last hours, days, weeks, or even months at a time. In some individuals, these episodes turn into ongoing feelings of depersonalization or derealization that periodically get better or worse.

### Diagnosis

Diagnosis criteria in the DSM-5 goes as follows:

* Persistent or recurrent episodes of depersonalization, derealization, or both.
* An understanding by the individual that what they are feeling isn't real.
* Significant distress or impairment of social or occupational functioning caused by symptoms.

## Causes

The exact cause of depersonalization-derealization disorder isn't well-understood. Some individuals may be more vulnerable experiencing depersonalization or derealization than others, possibly due to genetics and environmental factors. Heightened states of stress and fear may trigger episodes.

Symptoms of depersonalization-derealization disorder may be related to childhood trauma or other experiences or events that cause severe emotional stress.

## Treatment

In addition to therapy and medications, there are a few strategies that can help keep one grounded and/or bring one back to reality when experiencing symptoms of DPDR.

* Pinch the skin on the back of the hand.
* Use temperature to shift focus, hold something that's really cold or really warm in hand.
* Look around the room and count or name the items.
* Keep moving the eyes to stop from zoning out.
* Slow breathing, or take long, deep breaths, and pay attention to inhaling and exhaling.
* Practice meditation.
* Reach out to a friend or loved one and ask them to keep talking.

## Known Individuals with DPDR

### Adam Duritz

Counting Crows frontman, Adam Duritz, has spoken about having depersonalization-derealization disorder. He was diagnosed in 2008 and has since talked publicly and openly about his disorder. "I have a dissociative disorder with sometimes makes the world seem like it's not real." Although many have confused this with DID, including Duritz himself on a few occasions, leading many to incorrectly state that he has DID instead of DPDR.

## References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depersonalization-derealization-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352911

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9791-depersonalizationderealization-disorder

https://www.verywellmind.com/derealization-2671582

https://clture.org/getting-personal-with-adam-duritz-of-counting-crows/