But for people with DP, extreme stress may not lead to “fight” or “flight.” Instead, this heightened arousal can lead to dissociation, or a disruption in brain functioning, in order to emotionally distance yourself from a perceived life-threatening situation.
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 or trauma.
Many people experience depersonalization as a result of intense stress and/or anxiety. Although the exact reason(s) why depersonalization occurs, there are some hypotheses around it being a way one's brain copes with stress. When a person becomes extremely overwhelmed by emotion, the result is intense stress.
Depersonalization represents a third way of coping that allows a person to escape or alleviate the traumatic situation. The uniqueness of this sort of escape is that it develops in the subjective world of the person's psyche.
The disorder is usually triggered by severe stress, particularly emotional abuse or neglect during childhood, or other major stresses (such as experiencing or witnessing physical abuse). Feelings of detachment from self or the surroundings may occur periodically or continuously.
Derealization almost always starts in late childhood or early adulthood. The average age it starts is around 16, and 95% of cases are diagnosed before age 25.
Severe stress, anxiety, and depression are common triggers for DPDR. A lack of sleep or an overstimulating environment can also make DPDR symptoms worse.
Introduction: The phenomena of depersonalisation/derealisation have classically been associated with the initial phases of psychosis, and it is assumed that they would precede (even by years) the onset of clinical psychosis, being much more common in the prodromal and acute phases of the illness.
Four stages of the formation of depersonalization were identified: vital, allopsychic, somatopsychis and autopsychic.
Depersonalization disorder falls under the dissociative disorders group of conditions, which are characterized by feelings of disconnection from reality.
Causes of Derealization
Derealization is characteristic of several mental health disorders. Severe anxiety and depression may cause periods of derealization. People having panic attacks due to anxiety disorders or flashbacks due to posttraumatic stress may also experience episodes of derealization.
The outlook for people with this disorder is good. The symptoms associated with depersonalization disorder often go away. They may resolve on their own or after treatment to help deal with symptom triggers. Treatment is important so that the symptoms don't come back.
Derealization can last for as long as the panic attack lasts, which can range in length from a few minutes to 20 or 30 minutes. In some cases, however, these sensations can persist for hours and even days or weeks.
The primary symptom of depersonalization disorder is a distorted perception of the body. The person might feel like they are a robot or in a dream. Some people might fear they are going crazy and might become depressed, anxious, or panicky.
Depersonalization disorder is not the total mystery it once was. Celebrities like rappers Logic and Elro, vlogger /musician Dodie have openly discussed their experiences of Depersonalization and Derealization. And there are entire YouTube channels dedicated to discussing the condition.
Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, also called counseling or talk therapy, is the main treatment. The goal is to gain control over the symptoms so that they lessen or go away. Two such psychotherapies include cognitive behavioral therapy and psychodynamic therapy.
Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms of depersonalization/derealization disorder are usually episodic and wax and wane in intensity. Episodes may last for only hours or days or for weeks, months, or sometimes years. But in some patients, symptoms are constantly present at an unchanging intensity for years or decades.
Well, would it surprise you to know that for the vast majority of people who experience DP, it only lasts a couple of minutes, or an hour or two at most? It's true! How could that be? Well, it's estimated that up to 75% of people will experience at least one Depersonalization or Derealization episode in their lives.
People suffering from depersonalization can experience the loss of a sense of self as devastating, often accompanied by intense feelings of alienation, fear, and hopelessness.
We should aim to lead a balanced life in order to reduce our stress levels as much as possible. A balanced life consists of being active, getting enough rest, eating healthy and following a routine. Do not stay in your room all day because you are feeling depersonalized. To feel normal again, do normal things.
Depersonalization episodes are relatively common. About half of all Americans are thought to experience at least one or two depersonalization episodes during their lifetime. Roughly 200,000 people in the United States each day experience a depersonalization event.