Depersonalization disorder
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| - | '''Depersonalization''' is an 'alteration' in the perception or experience of the self so that one feels 'detached' from, and as if one is an 'outside' observer of, one's mental processes or body. It can be considered desirable, such as in the use of [[recreational drugs]], but it usually refers to the severe form found in [[anxiety]] and, in the most intense case, [[panic attack]]s. A sufferer feels that he or she has changed and the [[world]] has become less real, vague, dreamlike, or lacking in significance. It can sometimes be a rather disturbing experience, since many feel that indeed, they are living in a "[[dream]]." | ||
| - | Chronic depersonalization refers to [[depersonalization disorder]], which is classified by the [[DSM-IV]] as a [[Dissociation (psychology)|dissociative disorder]]. [[Derealization]] is a similar term to depersonalization, and the two are often used interchangeably. However, more specifically, derealization is the feeling that "[[illusion|nothing is real]]," while depersonalization is the feeling that one is "detached" from one's body or world. Though these feelings can happen to anyone, they are most prominent in [[anxiety disorder]]s, [[clinical depression]], [[bipolar disorder]], [[sleep deprivation]], and some types of [[epilepsy]]. | + | '''Depersonalization disorder''' ([[DSM-IV Codes#Dissociative Disorders|DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders]] 300.6 ('''DPD''') is a [[Dissociation (psychology)|dissociative disorder]] in which the sufferer is affected by persistent or recurrent feelings of [[depersonalization]] and/or [[derealization]]. The [[symptom]]s include a sense of automation, going through the motions of life but not experiencing it, feeling as though one is in a movie, feeling as though one is in a dream, feeling a disconnection from one's body; [[out-of-body experience]], a detachment from one's body, environment and difficulty relating oneself to reality. |
| + | Occasional moments of depersonalization are normal; persistent or recurrent feelings are not. A diagnosis of a [[mental illness|disorder]] is made when the [[dissociation]] is persistent and interferes with the social and occupational functions necessary to everyday living. Most cases of depersonalization disorder are triggered by abuse, trauma, and drug use, although a variety of genetic and environmental factors are implicated. Depersonalization disorder can be conceptualized as a [[defense mechanism]] as the core symptoms of the disorder are thought to protect the victim from negative stimuli. Depersonalization disorder is often [[comorbid]] with [[anxiety disorders]], [[panic disorders]], [[clinical depression]] and/or [[bipolar disorder]]. | ||
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| + | An individual diagnosed with depersonalization disorder may feel as if he or she is going insane although reality testing remains intact during episodes and continuous depersonalization, such that a person suffering from the disorder will be able to behave and interact normally with his or her environment. This fact can be distressing for those with DPD; the friends and family of the victim do not realize that anything is wrong, because the subjective experience of dissociation is not a visible phenomenon. While a nuisance, and very distressing to the sufferer, people with depersonalization disorder represent no risk to society, since their grasp on reality remains intact. | ||
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Depersonalization disorder (DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders 300.6 (DPD) is a dissociative disorder in which the sufferer is affected by persistent or recurrent feelings of depersonalization and/or derealization. The symptoms include a sense of automation, going through the motions of life but not experiencing it, feeling as though one is in a movie, feeling as though one is in a dream, feeling a disconnection from one's body; out-of-body experience, a detachment from one's body, environment and difficulty relating oneself to reality.
Occasional moments of depersonalization are normal; persistent or recurrent feelings are not. A diagnosis of a disorder is made when the dissociation is persistent and interferes with the social and occupational functions necessary to everyday living. Most cases of depersonalization disorder are triggered by abuse, trauma, and drug use, although a variety of genetic and environmental factors are implicated. Depersonalization disorder can be conceptualized as a defense mechanism as the core symptoms of the disorder are thought to protect the victim from negative stimuli. Depersonalization disorder is often comorbid with anxiety disorders, panic disorders, clinical depression and/or bipolar disorder.
An individual diagnosed with depersonalization disorder may feel as if he or she is going insane although reality testing remains intact during episodes and continuous depersonalization, such that a person suffering from the disorder will be able to behave and interact normally with his or her environment. This fact can be distressing for those with DPD; the friends and family of the victim do not realize that anything is wrong, because the subjective experience of dissociation is not a visible phenomenon. While a nuisance, and very distressing to the sufferer, people with depersonalization disorder represent no risk to society, since their grasp on reality remains intact.
