One of the most common symptoms of Depersonalization is having constant racing thoughts, intense self-analysis and weird existential fears. Things that are usually perfectly normal and everyday can seem bizarre.
When you have a persistent anxiety-based condition like Depersonalization or PTSD this can become your resting mental state. So even when you're sitting and trying to relax, your mind is jumping around to seemingly random thoughts, many of them frightening.
Depersonalized individuals often report difficulties in perception, concentration, and memory; however, data on their cognitive profiles are lacking.
The primary symptom of depersonalization disorder is a distorted perception of the body. The person might feel like they are a robot or in a dream. Some people might fear they are going crazy and might become depressed, anxious, or panicky. For some people, the symptoms are mild and last for just a short time.
While depression can make reality seem bleaker than it is and schizophrenia causes people to see and hear things that aren't really there, depersonalization-derealization disorder can cause people to question reality itself.
Introduction: The phenomena of depersonalisation/derealisation have classically been associated with the initial phases of psychosis, and it is assumed that they would precede (even by years) the onset of clinical psychosis, being much more common in the prodromal and acute phases of the illness.
Depersonalization symptoms
Feeling like a robot or that you're not in control of your speech or movements. The sense that your body, legs or arms appear distorted, enlarged or shrunken, or that your head is wrapped in cotton. Emotional or physical numbness of your senses or responses to the world around you.
Because it's part of the body and brain's natural response to anxiety and trauma. And for the vast majority of those people, the DP fades away naturally in a few minutes or hours as the anxiety does, which, since DP is just a symptom of anxiety, is exactly what it's supposed to do!
In some cases, this may cause the world to feel "unreal," as though something is not quite right in the world around them. If derealization happens to you, it may feel like you're going crazy. It has a way of doing that. However, you're not alone.
In depersonalization disorder, reduced gray matter volumes (GMV) in right thalamus, caudate, and cuneus, and increased GMV in the left dorsomedial PFC and the right somato-sensoric regions were observed [93•]. As abovementioned, these areas have been implicated in dissociation [10, 61, 62, 85].
Not only that, but stressful events like the COVID-19 pandemic can trigger depersonalization for some people. There's a clear connection between stress and DP/DR. By increasing your stress, you are increasing the intensity and the length of the DP/DR. We want to lower our stress during this time, not increase it.
Intrusive thoughts are often triggered by stress or anxiety. They may also be a short-term problem brought on by biological factors, such as hormone shifts. For example, a woman might experience an uptick in intrusive thoughts after the birth of a child.
Your mind is sending you signals that you need to do something, even though there is no real risk. It is yelling at you that you need to take action. This is why OCD feels so real. There is a very real process taking place in your brain.
Symptoms of depersonalization/derealization disorder are usually episodic and wax and wane in intensity. Episodes may last for only hours or days or for weeks, months, or sometimes years. But in some patients, symptoms are constantly present at a constant intensity for years or decades.
Many of us have had the thought, “I feel like I'm losing my mind” at one time or another. This thought may surface in times of heightened stress, but it can also be a manifestation of a mental health condition, such as anxiety,1 panic disorder,2 or depersonalization.
We should aim to lead a balanced life in order to reduce our stress levels as much as possible. A balanced life consists of being active, getting enough rest, eating healthy and following a routine. Do not stay in your room all day because you are feeling depersonalized. To feel normal again, do normal things.
DPDR is one of four types of dissociative disorders. These disorders are diagnosable conditions in which there's a fragmented sense of identity, memories, and/or consciousness. If left untreated, dissociative disorders can lead to depression and anxiety and are believed to be linked to a history of trauma.
Exploring What Causes Depersonalization and Derealization
A history of abuse or neglect, which could be physical, emotional, sexual, or other. Having experienced or witnessed intense violence or aggression, including (but not limited to) domestic violence and war. Having experienced the death or loss of someone close.
Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder
The person may report feeling 'spacey' or out of control. Time may slow down. They may perceive their body to be a different shape or size than usual; in severe cases, they cannot recognise themselves in a mirror.
Depersonalization is your brain's natural response to trauma. That may be from violence, a car crash, a panic attack, a bad experience from smoking weed etc. Your brain thinks it's in danger, so in order to deal with the perceived trauma, it kicks in with 'fight or flight' response.
The driving itself will come to you naturally as the anxiety / DPDR thoughts fade away. So remember -- you are absolutely safe when driving with Depersonalization!
What is depersonalization-derealization disorder? Depersonalization-derealization disorder (DDD) often shows up with other mental health conditions. It happens when you feel like you're watching your life from outside your body. It can feel like you're watching a movie or a dream.