Feeling Unreal? Understanding Depersonalization and Your Mental Health
Have you ever felt detached from your body or your surroundings, like you’re watching your life through a pane of glass? This sensation, known as depersonalization, can be a disturbing and confusing experience.
What is Depersonalization? Depersonalization is a type of dissociation, a mental process where you disconnect from your thoughts, feelings, body, and sense of self. People experiencing depersonalization might say they feel like a robot, a stranger to themselves, or as though they are in a dream.
Symptoms of Depersonalization
- Feeling detached from your body or emotions
- A sense of being a spectator in your own life
- Emotional numbness
- A distorted sense of time or reality
- Feeling like you’re in a dream or a movie
- Visual distortions, such as blurred vision or altered perception
What Causes Depersonalization? Depersonalization can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
- Trauma or abuse
- Severe stress or anxiety
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- Certain medical conditions
Depersonalization and Mental Health While occasional feelings of detachment can be normal, persistent or severe depersonalization can significantly impact your mental health and daily life. It’s often associated with other mental health conditions, such as:
- Depersonalization/derealization disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
When to Seek Help If depersonalization is interfering with your ability to function, causing you distress, or if you’re experiencing other mental health symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help.
Finding Support Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone. Therapy can help you understand the underlying causes of your depersonalization and develop coping mechanisms. If you’re in the Sioux Falls, SD area, K Counseling Services offers compassionate and effective mental health care. We can provide you with the support and guidance you need to manage depersonalization and improve your overall well-being.
You Can Feel Better Although depersonalization can be frightening, it is treatable. With the right support and treatment, you can regain your sense of self and live a healthier, more fulfilling life.
