Derealization
Derealization (pronounced dee-real-iz-ay-shun) is a psychological symptom characterized by a persistent or recurrent feeling of being detached or disconnected from one’s self, experiencing one’s self and reality as unreal, dreamlike, foggy, lifeless, or visually distorted.
Etymology
The term "derealization" is derived from the French word déréalisation, which was first used by the French psychiatrist Ludovic Dugas in the late 19th century. The term is composed of the prefix de- (from Latin, meaning "away from") and réalisation (from Latin realis, meaning "real or actual"), thus implying a moving away from reality.
Symptoms
Derealization is often accompanied by subjective alterations in the perception of time and space. Individuals may report that what they see lacks depth or richness and that things seem flat or cartoonish. Some people describe seeing the world through a veil, fog, or glass, or from a distance.
Related Terms
- Depersonalization: Often occurring alongside derealization, depersonalization is a state in which one's thoughts and feelings seem unreal or not to belong to oneself.
- Dissociation: A mental process that causes a lack of connection in a person's thoughts, memory and sense of identity, often seen in conditions like derealization.
- Anxiety disorder: Derealization can be a symptom of this disorder, as individuals may feel detached from their surroundings due to high levels of anxiety.
- Panic attack: During a panic attack, a person might experience a brief episode of derealization.
Treatment
Treatment for derealization often involves psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This form of therapy helps individuals understand and change thought patterns that lead to troublesome feelings, behaviors, and symptoms. In some cases, medication may be used as part of the treatment plan.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Derealization
- Wikipedia's article - Derealization
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