Mental Health Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders What Is Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder (DPDR)? By Lana Bandoim Lana Bandoim Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Lana Bandoim is a science writer and editor with more than a decade of experience covering complex health topics. Learn about our editorial process Published on October 11, 2021 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 Characteristics, Traits, and Symptoms Diagnosis Causes Treatment Coping Frequently Asked Questions Depersonalization-derealization disorder (DPDR) is a mental condition that causes you to feel detached from your body, thoughts, and environment. It used to be called depersonalization disorder, but the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) changed the name. DPDR is not related to substance use and is considered a separate condition by the DSM-5. DPDR is one type of dissociative disorder. Dissociative disorders are mental conditions that make you feel disconnected from your subjective experience. They can affect your thoughts, memories, or actions. This article will explain more about depersonalization-derealization disorder along with its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Anna Efetova / Getty Images Characteristics, Traits, and Symptoms Although they are separate experiences, depersonalization and derealization typically occur together in DPDR. Depersonalization means feeling like you are outside of your body or mind, while derealization means feeling like what is around you is not real. Depersonalization can have the following symptoms: Feeling disconnected from your body, feelings, and mindFeeling outside your body and observing your lifeNot being able to describe your emotionsFeeling numb Feeling like a robot Feeling like you cannot control what you say or do Having memory problems Derealization can have the following symptoms: Feeling disconnected from your environment Thinking the world is not realFeeling like a glass wall separates you from the worldHaving distorted vision, such as seeing blurry, colorless, and unusually small or large objects Symptoms of DPDR can last for hours, days, weeks, or months. Most people experience episodes of symptoms, but it is possible to have them chronically. Diagnosis The DSM-5 outlines the criteria to diagnose depersonalization-derealization disorder. A person must have: Constant or recurring episodes of derealization, depersonalization, or bothDuring these episodes, they are able maintain contact with reality Significant distress or impairment in areas of functioning Your healthcare provider may order tests to rule out other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as: Physical examsBlood testsUrine tests Brain MRI or CT scans Electroencephalogram (EEG) Causes The exact cause of DPDR is not known. There are several risk factors for depersonalization-derealization disorder including: Severe stressTrauma Anxiety Depression Domestic violence Emotional abuse or neglectIllicit drugsSleep deprivationGrowing up with a family member with a significant mental illnessHaving a loved one die suddenly Having other mental disorders Treatment Some people are able to recover from depersonalization-derealization disorder on their own without treatment. Others may benefit from medications or psychotherapy. It is possible to make a complete recovery from DPDR. Medications A specific medication that treats depersonalization-derealization disorder does not exist, but your healthcare provider can prescribe medicine to treat some of the symptoms or related conditions. You may need medications to treat: Depression AnxietyPanic attacks Medications may include: AntidepressantsAnti-anxiety drugs Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is a common treatment for depersonalization-derealization disorder. It focuses on eliminating the underlying stressors that caused the condition and helping the patient become more grounded in their experience. Psychotherapy may include: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)Behavioral therapy Psychodynamic therapy Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)Hypnotherapy Coping There are different ways to cope with DPDR, and you may have to try several of them before finding what works for you. Coping with depersonalization-derealization disorder can include: Meditation Relaxation techniquesMindfulness Breathing exercisesSelf-talk exercises Summary Depersonalization-derealization disorder is a condition that makes you feel disconnected from your body, thoughts, and environment. Medications and psychotherapy are common treatment options that can help you. It is also possible to recover from DPDR without any treatment. A Word From Verywell If you have depersonalization-derealization disorder, it is important to remember that recovery is possible. You have multiple treatment options to choose from and may even recover on your own. You may also want to try different coping strategies for dealing with DPDR episodes. Frequently Asked Questions What are examples of depersonalization? Some examples of depersonalization include feeling:Detached from your bodyOutside of your body and watching itRoboticAs if you are in a dream How is derealization different from depersonalization? Depersonalization is feeling detached from your own body and identity. On the other hand, derealization is the experience of detachment from your own surroundings. How long does depersonalization last? An episode of depersonalization can last for hours, days, weeks, months, or longer. Each person experiences it differently. Is dissociation common? Although transient depersonalization/derealization symptoms are common, lifetime prevalence for the disorder is about 2%. 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 3 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. Cleveland Clinic. Depersonalization/derealization disorder. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Dissociative disorders. Merck Manual. Depersonalization/derealization disorder.