Depersonalization/Derealization involves persistent or recurrent feelings of detachment. Depersonalization is a sense of being disconnected from one’s body or thoughts, whereas derealization is the sense that one’s surroundings are unreal or dreamlike.
Key Points:
- Symptoms: Feeling “robotic” or “outside of oneself,” objects appearing foggy or distorted, emotional numbness.
- Triggers: Stress, trauma, anxiety, or substance use (e.g., marijuana, hallucinogens).
- Overlap: Can occur in dissociative disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression, or as a standalone disorder.
- Treatment: Grounding techniques, stress management, psychotherapy (especially CBT), and addressing underlying issues like anxiety or trauma.
