Author: Christopher Hondz

Depersonalization Disorder

Depersonalization disorder is a disorder in which you have feelings of detachment and unreality.

Causes
Begin with no apparent trigger
Start after a life-threatening event, such as an accident or assault
Be triggered by fear of having another depersonalization experience
depersonalization may be triggered by stress or trauma, and it often occurs along with other mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or schizophrenia.

Risk Factors
While anyone can develop depersonalization disorder, you're at increased risk if:
You've been involved in or witnessed a traumatic or life-threatening experience, such as an automobile accident.
You're in your mid- to late teens or early adulthood. Depersonalization disorder is rare in children and older adults.
Other dissociative disorders

Symptoms
Numbing or senses
Feeling like your observing yourself from above
Sensation that you aren’t in control of your actions
Persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached, or as if one is an outside observer of themselves (in a dream)

Prognosis
The prognosis for recovery from depersonalization disorder is good. Most patients recover completely, particularly those who developed the disorder in connection with traumas that can be explored and resolved in treatment.

Treatment
- Psychotherapy (main therapy)
- Cognitive therapy
- Medication
- Family therapy
- Creative therapy

Diagnosis
- When episodes of depersonalization are recurrent or persistant and lead to distress or disfunction
- No lab tests to diagnose