ABC Medical Center > Depersonalization disorder

What is Depersonalization disorder?

21:56 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It is a mental illness in which the person repeatedly feels outside or distanced from their body and the environment that surrounds them, resulting in a feeling that everything is unreal as if they were living in a dream, which can cause anguish and fear affecting their quality of life.

Most people have experienced depersonalization disorders sporadically, but when they occur constantly, it is considered a pathology, which is common in people who have gone through traumatic experiences during childhood or adulthood, as well as chronic stress and panic attacks.

Some conditions can favor the presence of depersonalization disorder, such as:

  • Drug intake.
  • Anxiety.
  • Depressive episodes.
  • Avoiding or denying difficult events.
  • Having experienced or witnessed any traumatic event as children or adults or experienced any abuse.
  • Personal, financial, or work problems.

Signs and symptoms Depersonalization disorder

Symptoms can occur during adolescence or upon entering adulthood, either due to childhood traumas or events that cause a lot of emotional stress, with the most frequent signs being:

  • Blurry, distorted, or artificial environment.
  • Distorted time perception.
  • Misperception of distance, size, and shape of objects.
  • Diminished senses.
  • Feeling of being isolated, living in a dream.
  • Feeling like floating in the air, above oneself, observing thoughts and feelings.
  • Feeling of not having control of speech or movements.
  • Sensation that the body, arms, or legs are enlarged, shrunken, or distorted.
  • Emotional lack of memories and the impression that they may not be your own.
  • Disconnection with loved ones.

Depersonalization disorder risks and complications:

  • Distress.
  • Panic attacks.
  • Depression.
  • Hopelessness.
  • Problems concentrating.
  • Problems in the personal, work, social, and family spheres.

Diagnosis and treatment Depersonalization disorder

After reviewing your symptoms and medical history, your doctor will perform a physical examination and order mental assessment tests and lab tests to help rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for depersonalization disorder consists primarily of psychotherapy or communication therapy, and sometimes medications to treat specific symptoms.

At the Neurology Center, a select group of highly trained and certified doctors in various neurological specialties is ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Fuentes:

  • redalyc.org
  • bbc.com
  • mayoclinic.org
  • topdoctors.es
  • cun.es
  • medlineplus.gov
  • psicologiaymente.com
  • msdmanuals.com
  • medigraphic.com

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.