The mental problem “Depersonalization disorder”, which is treatable and not noticed by society, is experienced by one in every 100 people, and it has also been revealed that this disease makes it impossible to love. Since the number of doctors who recognize this disease in medical terms is very few, it causes patients to be misdiagnosed. For this reason, people who experience this disease have to struggle throughout their lives because they cannot be diagnosed.
IT IS NOT EXPLAINED IN MEDICAL SCHOOL
A doctor who suffers from depersonalization disorder said that depersonalization disorder was not explained to him during his family medicine training or in medical school. The doctor, who stated that he misdiagnosed at least two of his patients, said that he did not believe that most of his colleagues had heard of it.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PROBLEMS
Since the doctor does not fully understand this disease, there are diagnostic problems and unfortunately, the door to treatment is not opened.
A patient named Sarah, who struggles with depersonalisation disorder, explains how she went through the process after deciding to seek treatment at a specialist clinic in south London:
“I was having panic attacks regularly. I was very, very scared. I was in crisis,” she said.
DEPERSONALIZATION DISORDER STARTS IN ADOLESCENCE
It has been revealed that the disease known as Depersonalization Disorder, which makes it impossible to love, begins in adolescence. Dr. Elaine Hunter, a physician at the Depersonalization Disorder Service, expressed concern about turning away children or young people, and summarized the situation by saying, “We are saddened when we see people who bring their terrified 15-year-old children to us, but there is not much we can do.”
Hunter said one of his patients began experiencing the disorder at the age of 13 and had been unable to leave the house for two years, suffering from more than 10 panic attacks a day. Dr. Hunter also said the patient was initially unable to recognize his own mother and father, and expressed hope that research would help determine the diagnosis and symptoms for patients under the age of 18.
HUGE DIFFERENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH AFTER TREATMENT
Hunter, who developed a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, advocated that medical professionals should receive training in the field. One of Dr. Hunter’s patients, sales manager Sarah Ashley, said she had experienced a huge difference in her mental health after the treatment.
“At first, he would look at my hands and other parts of my body but I couldn’t recognize them. When I looked in the mirror, it was like I was looking at someone else’s face. I couldn’t eat or sleep. Now, if there is a little depersonalization, I can cope quickly.”
WHAT IS DEPERSONALIZATION DISORDER?
In depersonalization disorder, also known as “depersonalization” and “derealization,” the person becomes alienated from himself, feels like he is looking at his body from a distance, and loses his sense of reality.
This phenomenon is actually a type of defence mechanism that covers up reality during periods of acute anxiety and trauma. It can also occur after the use of addictive substances. (BBC)