People who are diagnosed with depersonalization also often experience an urge to question and think critically about the nature of reality and existence. The core symptoms of depersonalization-derealization disorder are the subjective experience of 'unreality in one's self', or detachment from one's surroundings. While brief episodes of depersonalization or derealization can be common in the general population, the disorder is only diagnosed when these symptoms cause substantial distress or impair social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The chronic form of the disorder has a reported prevalence of 0.8 to 1.9%. While depersonalization-derealization disorder was once considered rare, lifetime experiences with it occur in about 1–2% of the general population. A diagnosis is made when the dissociation is persistent and interferes with the social or occupational functions of daily life. ĭiagnostic criteria for depersonalization-derealization disorder includes persistent or recurrent feelings of detachment from one's mental or bodily processes or from one's surroundings. In rare cases, symptoms can last for years. However, in some situations the dissociated state may last for hours, days, or even weeks at a time. Individuals with the disorder may remain in a depersonalized state for the duration of a typical panic attack. Initial triggers for developing this disorder may include significant stress or panic attacks. Adverse early childhood experiences, specifically emotional abuse and neglect have been linked to the development of depersonalization symptoms. ĭepersonalization-derealization disorder is thought to be caused largely by interpersonal trauma such as childhood abuse. Individuals experiencing derealization may report perceiving the world around them as foggy, dreamlike/surreal, or visually distorted. Derealization is described as detachment from one's surroundings. Individuals may report feeling as if they are an outside observer of their own thoughts or body, and often report feeling a loss of control over their thoughts or actions. Depersonalization is described as feeling disconnected or detached from one's self. Medical condition Depersonalization-derealization disorderĭepersonalization-derealization disorder ( DPDR, DPD) is a mental disorder in which the person has persistent or recurrent feelings of depersonalization and/or derealization.

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