Section Learning Objectives

• Describe how derealization/depersonalization disorder presents itself.
• Describe the epidemiology of derealization/depersonalization disorder.
• Indicate which disorders are commonly comorbid with derealization/depersonalization disorder.
• Describe factors that may contribute to the etiology of derealization/depersonalization disorder.
• Describe the treatment of derealization/depersonalization disorder.

7.1.1 Clinical Description

Depersonalization/derealization disorder is categorized by recurrent episodes of depersonalization and/or derealization. Depersonalization can be defined as a feeling of unreality or detachment from oneself. Individuals may describe this feeling as an out-of-body experience where they are an outside observer of their thoughts, feelings, and physical being. Furthermore, some people report feeling as though they lack speech or motor control, thus feeling at times like a robot. Distortions of one’s physical body have also been reported, with various body parts appearing enlarged or shrunken. Individuals may also feel detached from their own feelings.

Symptoms of derealization include feelings of unreality or detachment from the world—whether it be individuals, objects, or their surroundings. For example, people experiencing derealization may feel as though they are unfamiliar with their surroundings, even though they are in a place they have been to many times before. Feeling emotionally disconnected from close friends or family members whom they have strong feelings for is another common symptom experienced during derealization episodes. Sensory changes have also been reported such as feeling as though the environment is distorted, blurry, or even artificial. Distortions of time, distance, and size/shape of objects may also occur.

Episodes of depersonalization/derealization can last anywhere from a few hours to days, weeks, months, or years (APA, 2022). The onset is generally sudden, and similar to other dissociative disorders, is often triggered by an intense stressor or trauma. To be diagnosed with this disorder, depersonalization/derealization disorder must cause significant emotional distress and/or impairment in daily functioning (APA, 2022).

7.1.2  Epidemiology

While many individuals experience brief episodes of depersonalization/derealization throughout their life (about 50% of adults have experienced depersonalization/derealization at least once), the estimated one-month prevalence is approximately 1-2% (APA, 2022). There is a balanced sex ratio and the mean age of onset is 16 years, with only a minority (about 5%) developing the disorder after the age of 25. About 1/3 of people with the disorder have discrete episodes, 1/3 have continuous symptoms from their onset, and 1/3 have an episodic course that progresses to continuous (APA, 2022).

7.1.3  Comorbidity

Depersonalization/derealization disorder has been found to be comorbid with depressive disorders and anxiety disorders. With respect to personality disorders, depersonalization/derealization disorder is most commonly comorbid with avoidant, borderline, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Some evidence indicates that comorbidity with post-traumatic stress disorder is low (APA, 2022).

7.1.4. Etiology

The causes of depersonalization/derealization disorder are largely unknown. Very little is understood about the potential genetic underpinnings; however, there is some suggestion that heritability rates for dissociative experiences are approximately 50% (APA, 2022; Pieper, Out, Bakermans-Kranenburg, Van Ijzendoorn, 2011). However, as with other psychological disorders, it is suggested that the combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a larger role in the development of dissociative disorders than genetics alone (APA, 2022; Pieper, Out, Bakermans-Kranenburg, Van Ijzendoorn, 2011).

There are clear associations between all of the dissociative disorders and childhood trauma and abuse but the association is slightly weaker for depersonalization/derealization disorder than it is for the other dissociative disorders (i.e., dissociative amnesia and dissociative identity disorder). Emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, witnessing domestic violence, being raised by a parent who is seriously impaired and/or mentally ill, and experiencing the unexpected death or suicide of a family member or close friend are early-life stressors that have been identified to be associated with the disorder. The onset of the disorder is commonly triggered by severe stress, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and drug use (particularly cannabis, hallucinogens, ketamine, ecstasy, and salvia) (APA, 2022).

7.1.5. Treatment 

Depersonalization/derealization disorder symptoms generally occur for an extensive period of time before the individual seeks out treatment. There is some evidence to support that the diagnosis alone is effective in reducing symptom intensity, as it also relieves the individual’s anxiety surrounding the baffling nature of the symptoms (Medford, Sierra, Baker, & David, 2005).

Due to the high comorbidity of depersonalization/derealization disorder and anxiety and depressive disorders, the goal of treatment is often alleviating these other mental health symptoms related to the depersonalization/derealization symptoms. While there has been some evidence to suggest treatment with an SSRI is effective in improving mood, the evidence for a combined treatment method of psychopharmacological and psychological treatment is even more compelling (Medford, Sierra, Baker, & David, 2005). The psychological treatment of preference is cognitive-behavioral therapy as it addresses the negative attributions and appraisals contributing to the depersonalization/derealization symptoms (Medford, Sierra, Baker, & David, 2005). By challenging these catastrophic attributions in response to stressful situations, the individual is able to reduce overall anxiety levels, which in return, reduces depersonalization/derealization symptoms.