Mental Health Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders Depersonalization (Derealization) Disorder - What Is It? Two Different Experiences, One Disorder By Ashley Braun, MPH, RD Ashley Braun, MPH, RD Ashley Braun, MPH, RD, is a registered dietitian and health content writer with over 5 years of experience educating patients on chronic diseases using science-based information. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 27, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD, is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Depersonalization vs Derealization Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Frequently Asked Questions Depersonalization is a type of dissociation in which a person has a sense of detachment from their own self. Depersonalization is often associated with derealization, which is when a person feels disconnected from other people or their surroundings. The presence of persistent or recurrent experiences of depersonalization, derealization, or both, may reflect the diagnosis of depersonalization/derealization disorder. Depersonalization vs Derealization Both depersonalization and derealization are conditions that occur with dissociative disorder. You may experience one of these more profoundly than the other, but most dissociation includes a mix of the two. Depersonalization Derealization Disconnected from your own thoughts and emotions Disconnected from people and things or places around you Sense of being outside your body like watching a movie World around you seems to be unreal/dreamlike Physically and emotionally numb Size and shape of things are distorted Unconnected to memories Distorted sense of time While the conditions may cause different sensations, they occur in a similar way. The average age of onset for both conditions is 16 with the majority of cases being diagnosed before age 20. About 72% of those diagnosed with depersonalization or derealization have another secondary psychiatric diagnosis. Anxiety and depressive spectrum disorders are the most common comorbidity. Kumikomini / Getty Images Symptoms With depersonalization, there's the sense that you're watching your life like watching a movie. Some people say depersonalization is like an out-of-body experience. The symptoms can include: Feeling physically numb to sensations in your bodyFeeling like you are unable to control your speech or movementDifficulty attaching to your emotions, memories, and physical feelingsDifficulty relating memories of something that happened to youFeeling like your body or limbs are distorted (enlarged or smaller)Feeling as though your head is wrapped in cottonDifficulty recognizing and describing your emotions The depersonalization symptoms usually last for a few minutes but can persist for hours or days. They usually occur rarely and may recur intermittently for years. Still in Touch With Reality When experiencing symptoms of depersonalization, most people are aware that their sense of detachment is only a feeling and not their reality. Causes The development of dissociative symptoms—like depersonalization—is often a way to cope with trauma. It's a common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and often develops in people who are exposed to long-term abuse. Other types of traumatic situations can also cause depersonalization, like a natural disaster or combat. Anxiety and depression can be comorbidities and are often diagnosed alongside depersonalization. Risk factors for depersonalization include: Emotional or physical abuse during childhoodHistory of sexual assaultWitnessing domestic violenceThe unexpected death of a loved oneHistory of drug useAnxiety or depressionSevere stress Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder and Marijuana Episodes of depersonalization or derealization may occur while under the influence of cannabis. While symptoms usually only last as long as the high you get from smoking "weed" or marijuana, research has shown that anxiety about dissociation following the experience may cause a sense of depersonalization or derealization even when you're no longer high. The effects of stress and anxiety can trigger a condition known as s Burnout Syndrome (BOS) in which an employee is unable to adapt to a work environment that's caused job disillusionment. Depersonalization is among the symptoms that may develop with BOS. With depersonalization in burnout, a person may engage in negative and unprofessional comments and display a callous attitude toward co-workers, clients, or patients under their care. Diagnosis The diagnosis of depersonalization is based on a review of your symptoms and history. Your healthcare provider may also recommend diagnostic tests to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms, such as a head injury, brain lesion, sleep disorder, or seizures. Depersonalization Is Not Rare Between 26 to 74% of people will experience symptoms of depersonalization at some point in their life, but only 1 to 2% of these individuals meet the criteria to be diagnosed with depersonalization/derealization disorder. The diagnosis of depersonalization/derealization disorder is based on the criteria defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Typically, a professional who specializes in mental health disorders will complete the assessment. Criteria include: Persistent or recurrent episodes of depersonalizationAn understanding that the feeling isn't realSignificant distress or impaired social or occupational functioning caused by the symptoms Treatment For some people, the symptoms resolve without any interventions or treatments. But sometimes personalized treatments are needed to help with managing the symptoms. Treatment will help to manage triggers and provide strategies to help understand and control symptoms. Psychotherapy Psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, are the most effective treatments for depersonalization disorder. Psychotherapy techniques can help to: Changing persistent thinking about being dissociated from your bodyEngage in tasks to distract from the symptoms of depersonalizationUse grounding techniques to help you feel more connected to yourself and the world around you, and help you feel more connected with realityProvide strategies to cope with negative feelings, internal conflicts, and experiences that trigger dissociation Medication There is no specific medication that can cure depersonalization. If you have anxiety or depression, your healthcare provider may recommend medications for the treatment of these conditions. This could also help reduce your symptoms of depersonalization if anxiety and depression are contributing to your symptoms. Coping Depersonalization can be highly distressing, so be sure to discuss your symptoms with a healthcare provider so you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depersonalization, there are some strategies you can use to help you feel more connected to yourself and reality. These include: Gently pinching your skin to feel more connected to your bodyTaking slow, deep breaths while focusing on the movement of your chest and diaphragmCalling a friend or family member and have them talk with you to help you feel more connected with other people and realityKeeping your eyes moving around your surroundings to prevent zoning outPracticing meditation to increase your awareness of your experienceLooking around at your surroundings and counting the objects you see, saying their colors aloud, or naming the objects Call for Help If you or someone you know is struggling with depersonalization, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information about support and treatment facilities near you. For more resources about mental health, see our National Helpline DataBase. A Word From Verywell Experiencing the symptoms and being diagnosed with depersonalization can be very confusing and upsetting. Working with a mental health professional can help establish an effective plan to help you manage your experience of depersonalization, and in some cases, the symptoms can be completely resolved. Frequently Asked Questions Is depersonalization a form of anxiety? No. Depersonalization and anxiety often occur together, but they are two independent conditions and diagnoses. Learn More: Symptoms of Anxiety What does depersonalization feel like? People with depersonalization often describe it as feeling like you're in a dream. You may lack a connection to your senses (sensory anesthesia) and may not feel in control of your movements or speech. Learn More: What It Means to "Space Out" How do you know if you have depersonalization? Diagnosing depersonalization is done via a psychiatric evaluation. A healthcare provider will determine if you have persistent or recurrent symptoms of depersonalization such as a feeling of being outside yourself. To meet the criteria for a diagnosis, you must be aware that while you have these sensations, you know that you’re not truly physically outside your body. A physical exam, blood draw, and other tests may be done to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. Learn More: Guide to Mental Health Issues Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 9 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sutar R, Chaturvedi S. Symptom profile and diagnostic utility of depersonalization–derealization disorder: A retrospective critical review from India. Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(1):91. doi:10.4103%2Fpsychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_347_19 National Alliance on Mental Illness. Dissociative disorders. Madden SP, Einhorn PM. Cannabis-induced depersonalization-derealization disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal. 2018;13(2):3-6. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2018.130202 American Thoracic Society. What is Burnout Syndrome (BOS)? Sierra M, David AS, Hunter ECM. The epidemiology of depersonalisation and derealisation. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 2004;39(1):9-18. doi:10.1007/s00127-004-0701-4 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. Gentile JP, Snyder M, Marie Gillig P. Stress and trauma: psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for depersonalization/derealization disorder. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2014;11(7-8):37-41. Sierra M, Medford N, Wyatt G, David AS. Depersonalization disorder and anxiety: A special relationship? Psychiatry Research. 2012;197(1-2):123-127. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2011.12.017 National Organization for Rare Disorders. Depersonalization Disorder. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies