Depersonalization-derealization disorder occurs when you persistently or repeatedly have the feeling that you're observing yourself from outside your body or you have a sense that things around you aren't real, or both.
Not knowing who you are anymore means feeling lost or losing a sense of purpose and important things to you. It means behaving in a way to please others instead of following your own heart and being yourself.
An identity crisis is defined as a period of uncertainty or confusion in a person's life. This crisis occurs when a person's sense of identity becomes insecure and unstable. An identity crisis usually occurs when there's a change in a person's life. But an identity crisis can happen at any time.
What is dissociative amnesia? Dissociative amnesia is a condition in which you can't remember important information about your life. This forgetting may be limited to certain specific areas (thematic) or may include much of your life history and/or identity (general).
Regardless of your age and life experiences, it's totally okay – and entirely human – to feel unsure about who you are. One day, you may have a solid sense of your goals and general direction in life; and the next, an unusual conversation or new interest may guide you toward an unexpected detour.
Take risks.
Begin to speak up, to say what's on your mind. Speak your truth. Express yourself through your ideas, opinions, creativity, and individuality. Do things you've been afraid to do in the past for fear of failure, of being ashamed or embarrassed, of not being good enough.
People who struggle with depression can lead long and fulfilling lives, especially if they seek out treatment to manage the condition. However, depression can do more than impact our lives. It can change how we fundamentally see ourselves as people. It can undermine our identity.
Going through an identity crisis can feel extremely uncomfortable. You may feel disturbed by the thoughts you are having and the changes you are experiencing. Identity issues can bring a state of turmoil, making you feel anxious, agitated, and unhappy with the way your life is going.
Erikson did believe that certain behaviors and emotions may be signs of developmental issues and identity confusion. For example, depression, anxiety, and other widespread issues among young people may result from an unresolved identity crisis. People experiencing identity issues may find support in therapy.
A lack of identity keeps you from getting to know others on a deeper level. It keeps you from truly experiencing yourself and most importantly, it keeps you from greater intimacy with God.
Not having a sense of self means we are always scanning outside of ourselves for cues on how to be. It is stressful. You might have general anxiety as well as social anxiety.
Half the reason most of us can't be ourselves around others is that deep down we are not really sure who we really are. We've spent too much of our life shifting ourselves to match what others want. Commit to getting to know yourself. Journalling is a great place to start.
There are a variety of triggers that can cause switching between alters, or identities, in people with dissociative identity disorder. These can include stress, memories, strong emotions, senses, alcohol and substance use, special events, or specific situations. In some cases, the triggers are not known.
Such loss of identity can result in increased levels of generalised anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, a loss of self-confidence, social anxiety, isolation, chronic loneliness, all of which threaten our ability to connect with other people.
A person without a sense of identity can instead feel a disconnect from who they have been, and/or no sense as to who they will become next. They feel a different person sometimes from day to day. Some report looking in the mirror and finding it hard to believe it is them looking back.
So, it is okay not to know what you want to do with your life. In fact, perhaps it's even preferable for a time. Deciding to live on your own terms, following your own intuition and living as honestly as possible is the most important decision of all. It's also important to briefly look back every now and then.
There is nothing wrong with you if you feel like you don't know yourself anymore. Or, if you find yourself thinking, “I've never felt like I've known myself” this is understandable too. Many people lose themselves, or never felt like they knew their authentic self to begin with.