Derealization: what is it, symptoms, how to get out of it?

Definition: what is derealization disorder?

Derealization is a dissociative disorder that is characterized by the loss of perception of the environment. “It is a persistent or recurring sensation that impairs perception. One feels how the outside observer of one’s own life with a feeling of strangeness“, explains Sabine Seguin. This disorder affects both men and women and can begin in childhood. If episodes of derealization are possible from time to time, when they are chronic and they handicap daily life, we speak derealization disorder.This is most often a defense mechanism of the brain in the face of intense stress or trauma.

What is the difference between derealization and depersonalization?

Derealization and depersonalization disorders are often linked : they are notably caused by anxiety, depression or witnessing violence. However, there are nuances between the two disorders. Do you feel cut off from yourself and your feelings? To be anesthetized, not to control yourself, to act like a ”robot” or to no longer be you? This may be an episode of depersonalization. When we live this type of episode, we have a feeling of emptiness, observing life from the outside and being out of body. In the context of derealization, this loss of sensations is relative to the environment. The individual has the impression of being in a dream with a distorted perception of what surrounds him. Sounds may be amplified, objects may be perceived as distorted, and time may seem to speed up or slow down, for example. “Derealization concerns one’s own life and depersonalization concerns one’s environment.“summarizes the therapist.

What are the symptoms of derealization?

Symptoms of derealization disorder are feeling of being detached from one’s body, mind and sensations. “This is exactly what happens when one is dissociated. We feel beside ourselves. One has disinvested one’s body, one no longer feels anything, one is like a stranger to one’s body, one abandons it. Everything is a little equal to us, we are indifferent. We experience ourselves, at best, like an avatar in a video game. We’re not really here anymore“, details the specialist. You have the impression of being isolated from your environment and of no longer being an actor in your life. In the event of a disorder, these symptoms persist.

Derealization is most often caused by traumatic shock. “Faced with this shock, we have no other choice but to dissociate. It’s a question of survival“, underlines Sabine Seguin. “It’s about a kind of anesthesia, a circuit breaker system to keep us from feeling the worst“. The specialist provides more details.”When we have a shock, it’s our reptilian brain that takes control and triggers a kind of circuit breaker that prevents communication between the Amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. A massive influx of cortisol and adrenaline into our body would be fatal to us. We dissociate ourselves so as not to feel anything both sensory and emotional. The stupefaction produced by the disjunction of the neocortex also deprives us of any rational reaction. We dissociate ourselves so as not to even be aware of what is happening to us, so as not to know what we are going through“. This can also happen when we face violence or abuse in childhood, in the psychic absence of a parent or in the event of neglect. “Adult, when what happens to us is inevitable, like an attack, an accident or the death of a loved one, we have no choice but to dissociate so as not to feel, not to know, to literally avoid dying of fear or despair“completes the professional.

It is therefore an “exceptional neurobiological safeguard mechanism put in place by the brain”

It is therefore a “exceptional protective neurobiological mechanism put in place by the victim’s brain to survive extreme stress“. “You should know that our brain proceeds by analogy. As soon as we are in the presence of events, sensations, emotions that more or less resemble the circumstances that were traumatic, our memories are reactivated“, explains Sabine Seguin before adding “When we meet, for example, a man with blue eyes who reminds us of the person who sexually assaulted us, our nervous system triggers the alert and we are dissociated. It can also be a physical sensation or emotion that brings back those past memories. A noise, a silence, a scent, a taste, the rapprochement or even physical pleasure. It’s like we’re reliving the trauma, when in reality it’s just the reawakening of old memories. But our nervous system does not make the difference and it causes this dissociation again“. If derealization can be caused by a emotional abuse, childhood neglect or trauma, it can also be caused by a depression, severe stress (loss of a job, problem with personal relationships, etc.) or drug use.

Who to consult in case of derealization?

It is possible to consult practitioners trained in the treatment of post-traumatic syndrome. “It can be psychiatrists, psychotherapists, people who have a good knowledge of the mechanisms of the nervous system“, advises Sabine Seguin. The diagnosis is based on a clinical examination and tests (questionnaire, interviews, etc.) to rule out other disorders. It also includes blood and urine tests to check for the presence of illicit substances.

We cannot reassociate someone who still feels in danger

What are the most suitable therapies?

EMDR and hypnosis can help. “Can also use EFT to reduce the intensity of emotions and prevent the nervous system from being overwhelmed” adds Sabine Seguin. For the specialist, the body-mind therapies who seek to reunite body and mind are good leads. “The Biodynamic Psychology and Somatic Experiencing are particularly indicated. You have to know the nervous system well to understand how to bring a person back to himself. It must be done gently, connecting it with resources in the here and now. We cannot reassociate someone who still feels in danger. It’s a whole process that must be done with respect for the defenses of the person, with great delicacy.“.

thanks to Sabine Seguinbiodynamic psychocorporal therapist.