What is Dissociation?
Dissociation is when a person feels detached from himself or his surroundings. It is a feeling of disconnectedness to one’s self or the world around him. Many people experience dissociation through their lives, as it can occur in response to stress, trauma, or overwhelming emotions, and while it can be a temporary coping mechanism, it may also be a symptom of certain mental health conditions.
What is Depersonalisation/ Derealisation Disorder?
In depersonalization-derealization disorder, these feelings of dissociation tend to last a long time or go away and come back multiple times. Individuals with these disorders experience a persistent or recurrent feeling of:
Depersonalisation in which they feel detached from themselves, their bodies, or their thoughts, as if they observe themselves from a distance.
Derealisation in which they feel disconnected from the surrounding environment and the world.
Symptoms of Depersonalisation/ Derealisation Disorder:
Persistent feelings of detachment from self or environment.
Feeling like an outside observer of one’s thoughts or body.
Distorted sense of time, space, or identity.
Emotional numbing or lack of responsiveness.
Difficulty recalling personal information or memories.
Anxiety or distress about the experiences.
Feeling like living in a dream or observing life from a distance or a barrier.
Causes of Depersonalisation/ Derealisation Disorder:
Individuals with Depersonalisation/Derealisation Disorder often have experienced severe stress or trauma. This could be being emotionally, physically, or sexually abused, neglected during childhood, experiencing or witnessing domestic violence, having a severely impaired or mentally ill parent or a loved one die unexpectedly.
Episodes can be triggered by interpersonal, financial, or occupational stress; comorbidities such as depression; anxiety; or substance abuse.
Treatment options at Mind Clinic:
In Mind Clinic we follow a holistic approach in assessing and treating Depersonalisation/Derealisation Disorder..
Firstly, a psychiatric assessment would be conducted in which the doctor assesses the person through personal interview, family members interview, questionnaires and sometimes other tests may be required depending on the individual’s medical history.
After the assessment and diagnosis, an initial plan is made depending on what is best for the person. This could include medications, therapy approaches or a combination of both depending on the person’s need and goals.
A psychological assessment would be conducted by a therapist to determine what might help according to the individual’s specific needs, the options could include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Interpersonal therapy (IPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and eye movement desensitization processing (EMDR).
We also provide immediate crisis intervention for those exhibiting risky behaviors, creating personalized safety plans and offering resources and interventions for urgent situations.
References:
Mind.org.uk. (n. d.) What is Dissociation? https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/dissociation-and-dissociative-disorders/about-dissociation/
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, September 29). Depersonalisation- Derealisation Disorder https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9791-depersonalization-derealization-disorder