Depersonalization Disorder, Personified
By Chris Brown
Have you ever felt that you don't exist or are living your waking life in a dream state? Have you ever felt emotionally disconnected from your actions and surroundings? If so, you may have been experiencing a psychological symptom known as depersonalization, which can quickly become a chronic disorder if not addressed. Depersonalization is a terrifying and potentially life-altering condition that can occur to almost anyone after an event of extreme anxiety, trauma, or negative drug experience.
What Is Depersonalization?
Depersonalization, or disassociation, is a mental state in which a person feels detached from their body and reality in general. A sufferer can feel like they are walking through a dream in which they are observing their own lives from the outside. The understandable terror from such a state can circularly worsen its effects and result in chronic depersonalization. Therefore, the important thing to keep in mind is that, while it may be scary, depersonalization is not dangerous itself. Instead, it is the mind's response to an extreme stimulus (such as anxiety, a traumatic event, or certain drug interactions). By not letting yourself get caught up in the fear and anxiety of a depersonalization episode, you can work to get out of it and regain yourself.
Ways to Regain Your Self
States of depersonalization tend to diminish over time, especially if the trigger is removed. However, for those with long-term depersonalization, and those who want to rid themselves of it faster, there are a few proven ways to take one out of the dream-like state and back into reality.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - CBT has specifically shown great promise in both curing depersonalization and treating the anxiety conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder, that often underline it. It works particularly well with stopping depersonalization because it can break the obsessive circular thinking about one's lack of reality, which worsens the state.
- Medications - Certain antidepressant medications have had positive effects in reducing depersonalization in some patients. However, there are no medications currently approved specifically for depersonalization.
- Meditation and mindfulness techniques - Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation, can help bring one back into a state of self while reducing anxiety and helping one cope with traumatic events. Mindfulness does this by grounding oneself and bringing one more in touch with the physical reality around them. This reduces the dreaminess and also helps reduce their self-judgement about their mental state.
Depersonalization is a terrifying and anxiety-invoking condition when you are inside of it. However, with some work and self-patience, there is hope of ridding yourself of the disorder over time. Knowing it isn't permanent can help you get to the other side -- a place where you may just find a greater appreciation for daily life.
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