Where does derealization come from and what to do about it

What is derealization

Derealization is a constant or periodic feeling of the unreality of the surrounding world. In moments of fear or anxiety, a person may feelDepersonalization/derealization disorder / UpToDate, as if he abstracts from what is happening and observes from the side. This is necessary to protect the brain and psyche from a strong shock.

For the first time, symptoms are usually ariseDepersonalization/derealization disorder / Mayo Clinic in teenagers or young adults. Constant or periodic derealization makes you constantly check what is real and what only seems to be. It feels like you're going crazy. It interferes with relationships and work, scares and even limits the fullness of life: it becomes difficult concentrate on daily activities, there is a feeling of hopelessness, anxiety increases and depression.

Often derealization is mentioned together with depersonalization. So calledDepersonalization/derealization disorder / UpToDate

detachment or alienation of the individual from himself. A person experiencing this feels like a robot or an outside observer of his body and mind. Derealization and depersonalization mayK.R. Choi, J.S. Seng, E.C. Briggs, M.L. Munro-Kramer, S.A. Graham-Bermann, R.C. Lee, J.D. Ford. The Dissociative Subtype of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among Adolescents: Co‑Occurring PTSD, Depersonalization/Derealization, and Other Dissociation Symptoms / Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry occur together—for example, in dissociative disorders—or appear separately.

About 50% of people in the world at least once in their lives feltDepersonalization/Derealization Disorder / MSD Manuals the unreality of what is happening. So there is no need to worry about it. But if derealization happens often and interferes with life, then you need to find out why it appeared.

Why does derealization occur?

Until now, doctors do not know the exact reasons. Some people are more susceptible to it due to genetic factors or personality traits. For example, if a person avoids difficult situations, it is harder for him to adapt to stress.

Often derealization arisesK.R. Choi, J.S. Seng, E.C. Briggs, M.L. Munro-Kramer, S.A. Graham-Bermann, R.C. Lee, J.D. Ford. The Dissociative Subtype of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among Adolescents: Co‑Occurring PTSD, Depersonalization/Derealization, and Other Dissociation Symptoms / Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in response to severe traumatic events, especially in childhood. For example, due to domestic abuse. It occurs in people with post-traumatic stress disorder, severe lingering depression, and panic attacks.

Also, derealization can be a symptom of:

• epilepsyL. Heydrich, G. Marillier, N. Evans, M. Seeck, O. blanke. Depersonalization- and derealization-like phenomena of epileptic origin / Annals of clinical and translational neurology;
• brain lesionsM.V. Lambert, M. Sierra, M.L. Phillips, A.S. David The Spectrum of Organic Depersonalization / The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences;
• work disruptions vestibular apparatus and labyrinthitisN.M. Simon, M.H. Pollack, K.S. Tuby, T.A Stern Dizziness and panic disorder: a review of the association between vestibular dysfunction and anxiety / Annals of clinical psychiatry;
• severe sleep disordersY. Selvi, S. Kiliç, A. Aidin, G. Ozdemir. The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Dissociation and Profiles of Mood, and Its Association with Biochemical Changes / Noro psikiyatri arsivi;
• various personality disordersK.R. Choi, J.S. Seng, E.C. Briggs, M.L. Munro-Kramer, S.A. Graham-Bermann, R.C. Lee, J.D. Ford. The Dissociative Subtype of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among Adolescents: Co‑Occurring PTSD, Depersonalization/Derealization, and Other Dissociation Symptoms / Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry ;
• schizophreniaR. Luque‑Luque, G. M. Chauca‑Chauca, P. Alonso‑Lobato, M. J. Jaen-Moreno. Depersonalisation and schizophrenia: Comparative study of initial and multiple episodes of schizophrenia. Despersonalización y esquizofrenia: estudio comparativo entre primeros y múltiples episodios de esquizofrenia / Revista de psiquiatria y salud mental.

Sometimes manifestations of derealization occur due to the reception alcoholE.B. Raimo, R.A. Romer, M. Moster, Y. Shan, Alcohol-induced depersonalization / Biological psychiatry, benzodiazepinesM.Z. Mintzer, K.B. Stoller, R.R. Griffiths, A controlled study of flumazenil‑precipitated withdrawal in chronic low‑dose benzodiazepine users / Psychopharmacology and some prohibited drugsDepersonalization/derealization disorder / Mayo Clinic.

What are the symptoms of derealization

People describe their symptoms differently. For example, they feelDepersonalization/derealization disorder / Mayo Clinic, what:

• are in a movie or in a dream, and the whole environment is unfamiliar to them;
• close people became indifferent, as if they were separated by a glass wall;
• everything around is distorted, blurry, colorless, two-dimensional or artificial, or, conversely, more distinct and clear;
• time does not flow correctly - for example, recent events seem to have happened in the distant past;
• distance, sizes and shapes of objects are surreal and implausible;
• "already seen" something unfamiliar - deja vuM. Sierra. Depersonalization: A New Look at a Neglected Syndrome, or "never seen" the usual - jamais vu.

What to do if you feel derealized

The condition of patients with derealization is often getting betterDepersonalization/Derealization Disorder / MSD Manuals without intervention, especially if the symptoms occur against the background of a short-term stress. To distract yourself from your subjective self-perceptions, you can try to focus on other thoughts or actions.

If the symptoms do not go away for a long time and reduce the quality of life, you need to contact a psychotherapist. He will ask about the manifestations and medications taken, will holdDepersonalization/derealization disorder / Mayo Clinic examination and treatment.

Psychotherapy

Depersonalization is usually treatDepersonalization/derealization disorder / Mayo Clinic through psychotherapy. She helps:

• find out why the problems occurred;
• work through the traumas that led to derealization;
• learn to be distracted from its manifestations;
• fight stress so that it occurs less often;
• treat comorbid mental conditions, such as anxiety or depression.

Used for treatment psychodynamicPsychodynamic Therapy. Brief Interventions and Brief Therapies for Substance Abuse / Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationtherapy that explores the impact of unresolved past conflicts on human behavior. Also use cognitive behavioral therapy - it helps to realize past actions in order to change behavior now.

Medications

There is no cure for derealization. However, a doctor may recommend supplements to help reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression. If derealization is caused by some disease of the brain or vestibular apparatus, then its manifestations will decrease when the underlying disease is treated.

Polina Zharikova