Strangers to Ourselves
Feeling Unreal June 22, 2023 Daphne Simeon, Jeffrey Abugel
Depersonalization is the third most common psychiatric symptom, yet remains poorly understood by clinicians and the public. It can accompany other mental illnesses but is also a distinct disorder recognized by major diagnostic manuals. This chapter describes the symptoms of depersonalization/derealization disorder through historical documentation and personal stories. Core symptoms include detachment from one's whole self or aspects of the self (feelings, thoughts, body, agency) and detachment from the outside world. The origins of the term "depersonalization" are discussed, and historical and current descriptions are illustrated with personal quotes and stories, supporting depersonalization/derealization as an independent syndrome rather than merely a symptom of other disorders.