Derealization Treatment Online.In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, many individuals are experiencing a disorienting and unsettling condition known as derealization. This modern phenomenon, characterized by feelings of detachment from one’s surroundings and a distorted perception of reality, can be distressing and disruptive to daily life. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of derealization, seeking to understand its causes, effects, and potential solutions. Derealization can occur as a result of various factors, including anxiety, stress, trauma, or certain psychological disorders.
What is derealization?
Derealization is a feeling of detachment from your surroundings, or the belief that the world around you is unreal. It’s a type of dissociation, which is a disconnection between your body, thoughts, and sense of self.
Some symptoms of derealization include:
Feeling like you're in a dream or movie Feeling emotionally disconnected from people you care about
Seeing your surroundings as blurry, colorless, or out of shape
Having distorted thoughts about time, distance, or the size and shape of objects
Feeling like the world lacks meaning or depth
Derealization episodes can be brief, lasting a few minutes to a few hours, or they can last for months. While you might feel like you’re going “crazy”, you’ll always recognize that something is off and how you feel isn’t normal for you. This is different from psychotic disorders, where you can’t tell what’s real and what’s imaginary.
Derealization can be caused by a variety of things, including:
stress, anxiety, fatigue, substance use, trauma, and underlying health conditions.
The main treatment for derealization is psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. Sometimes medicines are also used.
Symptoms and causes of derealization
Derealization is a mental state where a person feels detached from their surroundings, and people and objects may appear unreal. Symptoms include:
Feeling like you're in a dream or fog
Feeling like a see-through wall separates you from your surroundings
The world feels lifeless, muted, or fake
Objects or people look "wrong"
Sounds are distorted, too loud, or too soft
Time seems to speed up, slow down, or stand still
The people around you aren't real Derealization can be caused by a number of things, including:
Stress, especially emotional abuse or neglect during childhood
Depression
Panic attacks
Using recreational drugs
Seizures
Lack of sleep
Anxiety What Is Derealization? Causes & Examples
Derealization can be an occasional response to stress, or it can be recurring and long-term. Chronic derealization can be caused by more serious issues like childhood trauma or abuse.
Treatment for derealization can include psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy. Getting enough sleep and managing stress can help prevent short-term episodes. Learning coping skills and processing trauma can help with long-term episodes.
Prevalence of derealization in modern society
Derealization is a common experience in the general population, with about half of people experiencing it at least once in their lifetime:
Experience
Prevalence
Transient depersonalization or derealization
26–74%
Depersonalization/derealization disorder
1–2%
Depersonalization-derealization disorder: causes, symptoms …
Derealization is a disconnection from reality that people are aware isn’t normal. The disorder is only diagnosed when these symptoms cause significant distress or impair important areas of functioning. It’s often undetected or misdiagnosed, leading to delays in treatment.
Some factors that can increase the likelihood of experiencing depersonalization or derealization include: Experiencing a traumatic event, Being a war veteran, Suffering a major head injury, and Struggling with acute stress
The impact of derealization on mental health
Derealization can have a significant impact on mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness:
Distracted and forgetful: Derealization can make it hard to focus on tasks and remember things. Interference with daily life: Derealization can interfere with work, school, and other routine activities.
Strained relationships: Derealization can cause problems in relationships with family and friends.
Increased risk of depression and anxiety: Derealization can increase the risk of depression and anxiety.
Depersonalization-derealization disorder: causes, symptoms …
Derealization is a symptom of depersonalization-derealization disorder, a mental health condition that causes people to feel disconnected from their body, feelings, and environment. Symptoms can include feeling like you’re in a dream or fog, or that a glass wall separates you from your surroundings. The world may seem lifeless, colorless, or artificial.
Risk factors for depersonalization-derealization disorder include:
Family history of the condition
Avoiding or denying difficult situations
Other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety
Using some recreational drugs Coping mechanisms for dealing with derealization
Here are some coping mechanisms for dealing with derealization:
Grounding techniques
Connect with the present moment by using your five senses:
Touch something cold or warm Hold something concrete
Listen to music or sounds around you
Smell something pleasant
Mindfulness
Focus on the present moment and your body:
Pinch yourself Identify an object and what you know about it
Count something in the room
Mind-body practices
Try yoga or meditation to feel more connected to reality:
Practice mindful movement Sleep, exercise, and nutrition
Maintain good mental health by getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising regularly
Talk to people
Connect with others who have similar experiences through peer support or support groups
Journal
Keeping a journal can help you understand and remember your experience
Medication
Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help reduce the severity of symptoms
Make a crisis plan
Create a document that explains what you want to happen if you’re not able to make decisions about your life
Seeking professional help for derealization
If you’re experiencing symptoms of derealization and are distressed, you should seek professional help from a mental health professional. A qualified mental health professional can provide guidance and support tailored to your needs. They can help you develop coping strategies and provide psychoeducation.
Some types of professionals you can see for derealization include:
Psychologist: Can use talk therapy to help you learn coping skills and understand what triggers your symptoms Psychiatrist: Can help find the right treatment for your situation and ensure that side effects are manageable
Neurologist: A doctor who specializes in brain and nervous system conditions
Some treatment options for derealization include:
Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help address the underlying causes of derealization, teach coping skills, and promote groundedness
Medication: Can be used independently or in combination with psychotherapy In addition to professional help, you can also try these strategies to help you remain calm and grounded:
Deep breathing exercises
Engaging your senses, such as listening to music, touching something warm or cold, smelling or tasting a mint
Sharing your emotional state with a close friend or family member
Talking with other people who have had similar experiences Understanding the link between derealization and anxiety
Derealization is a common symptom of anxiety disorders, and is often associated with panic attacks. It can occur when severe anxiety disrupts normal brain functioning, causing a sense of detachment from reality.
Here are some ways anxiety can lead to derealization:
Redirected blood flow
Prolonged anxiety can cause adrenaline to redirect blood from the brain to the muscles, which can lead to a feeling of light-headedness or derealization. Hyperventilation
When people are nervous, they may over-breathe, which can change the composition of blood gasses and affect how the brain works.
Panic cycle
People who are worried about derealization may become hypersensitive to it, which can lead to more anxiety and more derealization.
Other factors that can cause derealization include: trauma, substance abuse, depression, dementia, and schizophrenia.
Derealization can be distressing, but it’s not always dangerous or a sign of psychosis. Some strategies that can help with derealization include:
Deep breathing exercises Focusing on sensations like what you can see, touch, hear, and taste
Identifying and countering problematic beliefs
Practicing experiencing derealization mindfully
Overcoming derealization through therapy and treatment
Derealization is a psychological disorder that can be treated with therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes:
Therapy
Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy, can help you understand your thoughts and actions, and learn to cope with symptoms. Other therapies include eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), which can help process past traumas. Medication
Antidepressants and mood stabilizers can help treat derealization.
Lifestyle changes
A healthy lifestyle can help with symptoms. This includes regular exercise, sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques.
Mindfulness practices
Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation can help manage anxiety and stress.
Coping skills
