Depersonalization Disorder Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Depersonalization Disorder is a condition when a person feels his soul is detached from his body.
The sufferer feels that he is outside his body and is watching over his body, or feels as if he is dreaming.
Actually, most people have experienced this condition briefly, but not all of them feel disturbed, and daily activities continue normally.
If this condition is only experienced for a moment and does not interfere with daily life, there is nothing to worry about.
However, if this condition continues to interfere with activities, it could be a depersonalization disorder.
Not infrequently this depersonalization disorder causes stress to depression. That is why, people who experience this condition must seek help immediately.
Depersonalization disorder is a condition that requires special therapy, either through psychological therapy or medical drugs.
Although it can be experienced by anyone, this mental health problem generally occurs in adolescents to young adults. Children and the elderly are relatively rare to experience the disorder.
Symptom
Symptoms of depersonalization disorder can include:
- The feeling that his soul is outside his body. He feels as if he is dreaming or controlling his thoughts and movements from the outside
- Feeling like a robot or sufferers unable to control speech or movement
- Feeling that your hands, feet or other body parts are getting smaller and your head is covered in cloth
- Feeling emotionally or physically numb (apathy) to the world around you
- Often flat, difficult to feel sad, happy or angry
- These symptoms can last for hours, days, weeks or even months, and can seriously interfere with daily activities
Reason
The cause of depersonalization disorder is not known with certainty. Some people have a tendency to experience this disorder compared to others.
This increased risk is thought to be related to genetic factors and negative pressures from the environment.
With this factor, a person has a greater potential to experience depersonalization disorder, especially after facing a major unpleasant event in his life.
These events can be in the form of childhood psychological trauma, loss, war, persecution, rape, sexual abuse, or natural disasters.
Although generally experienced due to psychological trauma, depersonalization disorder can also arise due to other diseases. For example, seizures, tumors and other diseases in the brain, other psychiatric disorders, to drug abuse.
Risk Factors
Meanwhile, factors that can increase the risk of depersonalization disorder may include:
- Have a certain personality so that sufferers tend to want to avoid a difficult situation or make it difficult for them to adapt to that situation
- Severe trauma, both as a child and as an adult, such as witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event
- Severe stress, such as problems in romantic relationships, finances, or work
- Anxiety or depression, especially severe and prolonged depression, or panic attacks
- Taking recreational drugs, which can cause episodes of depersonalization or derealization
Diagnosis
Depersonalization disorder is diagnosed through medical-psychiatric interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory tests.
In medical interviews, generally a person will express his feelings, where he thinks his soul is outside his body. It was as if, he was dreaming and saw his body walking by itself.
The doctor will explore the link between this condition and the presence of certain psychological trauma. For example losing people he loves natural disasters, and other traumatic events.
After that, a psychiatric interview tool in the form of a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) can be used to confirm a further diagnosis of depersonalization disorder.
In certain cases, depersonalization disorder can also be caused by certain health problems, such as brain disease. Or other causes such as the use of certain drugs, drug and alcohol abuse.
To evaluate this possibility, a physical examination and supporting examinations are carried out.
Investigations that can be done include laboratory tests for blood, urine, imaging in the form of computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment
Handling of depersonalization disorder can be done with therapeutic methods and the use of drugs. Below is an explanation.
1. Psychotherapy
The main treatment modality for depersonalization disorder is psychotherapy. This psychiatric therapy aims to explore the underlying causes of the disorder.
This therapy will also help sufferers of depersonalization disorder make peace with their past, gather their whole soul, and return to daily personal and social life.
2. Medical Drugs
In fact, there are no drugs specifically approved to treat depersonalization-derealization disorder.
However, these medications can be used to treat certain symptoms, such as those of depression and anxiety that are often associated with depersonalization disorder.
3. Family Therapy
Support and participation of the family in helping people with depersonalization disorder are also needed.
Families must understand that this recovery process may take a long time. It is important that everyone ensures that they are positive during this recovery phase.
4. Music and Art Therapy
Music and art therapy can also be a supporting treatment for depersonalization disorder.
This therapy will make sufferers more free to express expression in a positive way.
5. Clinical Hypnosis
As an alternative therapy, patients with depersonalization disorder can also be given clinical hypnosis.
Hypnosis is done with certain techniques to make the sufferer relax.
Also through this therapy, sufferers are invited to divert their concentration, explore things that underlie the disorder in a relaxed manner and then gradually overcome them.
Complications
Recurrent episodes of depersonalization can be frightening for the sufferer, as well as disabling daily activities.
This condition can cause several complications, such as:
- Difficulty focusing on tasks or remembering things
- Interruption in work and other routine activities
- Problems in relationships with family and friends
- Anxiety or depression
- Prolonged feeling of hopelessness
Prevention
Immediate psychological support and intervention when a person experiences a traumatic event can prevent depersonalization disorder.
When to See a Doctor?
Experiencing depersonalized feelings is normal and nothing to worry about.
However, feelings of not being in the body that are sustainable or severe enough to affect life, can be a sign of depersonalization disorder or other mental health problems.