DPDR is short for Depersonalization-Derealization, which is a mental condition where the person seems to be losing a grip on reality. In the depersonalization aspect of the disorder the person feels as he is outside his body or floating above it, feels detachment and lack of feeling for the ones he was once close to, he loses connection to his memories and has no remembrance of feelings attached to them, and in derealization aspect the person feels as if he is a part of a movie or a dream and whatever is happening is not real, he feels as his surroundings are colorless or artificial or on the contrary his senses are highly heightened with increased perception of the surroundings, loses perception of time and recent events seem to have happened a long time back. All these can negatively affect the day to day life, personal relationships and work life of a person.
There are no specific reasons behind it, however prolonged stress, childhood trauma, anxiety etc., are seen to be probable causes behind this mental disorder.
HOMEOPATHIC VIEWPOINT: Psychotherapy is really necessary for these patients, along with it when homeopathic medicines are prescribed the patient can recover and get back to his normal life as homeopathic medicines have a wonderful effect on the mental sphere, as the homeopathic treatment takes into account both the mental and physical health, and mental health is given the utmost importance.
To learn more about the topic read the following information
Depersonalization-derealization disorder occurs when you persistently or repeatedly have the feeling that you’re observing yourself from outside your body or you have a sense that things around you aren’t real, or both. Feelings of depersonalization and derealization can be very disturbing and may feel like you’re living in a dream.
Many people have a passing experience of depersonalization or derealization at some point. But when these feelings keep occurring or never completely go away and interfere with your ability to function, it’s considered depersonalization-derealization disorder. This disorder is more common in people who’ve had traumatic experiences.
Depersonalization-derealization disorder can be severe and may interfere with relationships, work and other daily activities.
Symptoms
Persistent and recurrent episodes of depersonalization or derealization or both cause distress and problems functioning at work or school or in other important areas of your life. During these episodes, you are aware that your sense of detachment is only a feeling and not reality.
The experience and feelings of the disorder can be difficult to describe. Worry about “going crazy” can cause you to become preoccupied with checking that you exist and determining what’s actually real.
Symptoms usually begin in the mid- to late teens or early adulthood. Depersonalization-derealization disorder is rare in children and older adults.
Depersonalization symptoms
Symptoms of depersonalization include:
- Feelings that you’re an outside observer of your thoughts, feelings, your body or parts of your body — for example, as if you were floating in air above yourself
- Feeling like a robot or that you’re not in control of your speech or movements
- The sense that your body, legs or arms appear distorted, enlarged or shrunken, or that your head is wrapped in cotton
- Emotional or physical numbness of your senses or responses to the world around you
- A sense that your memories lack emotion, and that they may or may not be your own memories
Derealization symptoms
Symptoms of derealization include:
- Feelings of being alienated from or unfamiliar with your surroundings — for example, like you’re living in a movie or a dream
- Feeling emotionally disconnected from people you care about, as if you were separated by a glass wall
- Surroundings that appear distorted, blurry, colorless, two-dimensional or artificial, or a heightened awareness and clarity of your surroundings
- Distortions in perception of time, such as recent events feeling like distant past
- Distortions of distance and the size and shape of objects
Episodes of depersonalization-derealization disorder may last hours, days, weeks or even months at a time. In some people, these episodes turn into ongoing feelings of depersonalization or derealization that may periodically get better or worse.
Causes
The exact cause of depersonalization-derealization disorder isn’t well-understood. Some people may be more vulnerable to experiencing depersonalization and derealization than others, possibly due to genetic and environmental factors. Heightened states of stress and fear may trigger episodes.
Symptoms of depersonalization-derealization disorder may be related to childhood trauma or other experiences or events that cause severe emotional stress or trauma.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase the risk of depersonalization-derealization disorder include:
- Certain personality traits that make you want to avoid or deny difficult situations or make it hard to adapt to difficult situations
- Severe trauma, during childhood or as an adult, such as experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event or abuse
- Severe stress, such as major relationship, financial or work-related issues
- Depression or anxiety, especially severe or prolonged depression, or anxiety with panic attacks
- Using recreational drugs, which can trigger episodes of depersonalization or derealization
