Recognising Symptoms of Derealisation Disorder
The derealization symptoms can be subtle but deeply unsettling. They often affect how one sees, feels, and interacts with their environment, making even normal tasks feel disconnected or dreamlike.
Sensory and Visual Symptoms
People may experience blurred vision, flat colours, altered depth perception, or the sensation that they’re viewing the world through a glass wall. Lights may seem too bright, sounds may seem too sharp, and surroundings may feel surreal.
These sensory disruptions contribute to the feeling that the environment has become distant or artificial, which is a core complaint in derealization symptoms.
Emotional and Cognitive Signs
Emotional numbness is common; many feels detached from their feelings or sense of self. Cognitively, individuals may struggle with memory lapses, especially under stress, and find it hard to focus or think clearly.
The experience is like being physically present but mentally disconnected from what’s unfolding around you, a key trait in derealisation and a focal point in derealization treatment strategies.
Behavioural Indicators
People may avoid crowds, mirrors, or noisy places that trigger the feeling of unreality. Others may repeatedly check their surroundings or engage in grounding rituals to feel “real.”
These behaviours, though coping mechanisms, can reinforce anxiety and make the symptoms of derealisation disorder more difficult to manage if derealization treatment is delayed.
What Causes Derealisation Disorder
Derealisation has no single cause. It usually results from a combination of psychological trauma, neurological sensitivities, and environmental stressors that overwhelm the brain’s ability to process reality in a grounded way.
Psychological and Emotional Triggers
Trauma, especially childhood trauma, is a major contributor. Chronic anxiety, panic attacks, or exposure to overwhelming stress can activate dissociative defences. Derealisation and PTSD are often linked, as the mind attempts to distance itself from disturbing emotional content by disconnecting from the external environment.
Neurological and Biological Factors
Disruptions in the brain’s processing of sensory input, especially in areas like the prefrontal cortex, are associated with derealisation. Imbalances in serotonin or other neurotransmitters may play a role.
Conditions like epilepsy or migraines have also been linked, though not all neurological anomalies lead to derealisation disorder symptoms. Still, many undergoing derealization treatment show neurological markers worth noting.
Substance-Induced Episodes
Cannabis, LSD, MDMA, and even heavy alcohol use or withdrawal can trigger dissociative symptoms. For some, a single bad trip initiates long-term derealisation.
Individuals with pre-existing anxiety are particularly vulnerable. These episodes can persist even after the drug has worn off, often requiring professional derealisation disorder treatment.
Impact on Daily Life and Mental Health
Derealisation can interfere with relationships, job performance, and overall well-being. When the world feels fake or unfamiliar, it becomes difficult to engage, connect, or feel emotionally secure in everyday life.
Functional Impairments
Tasks that require focus, like driving, working, or studying, become daunting. Individuals might stop socialising or engaging in activities they once enjoyed, afraid of being overwhelmed.
The constant need to “test” reality can be exhausting. For some, derealisation disorder becomes a barrier to achieving personal or professional goals. Early derealization treatment can help mitigate these functional losses.
Emotional Toll
Living in a state of unreality is frightening. Many fear they’re “losing their mind” or slipping into psychosis. The resulting anxiety can deepen into depression, isolation, or hopelessness.
Without support, people may withdraw from life, believing no one could possibly understand what they’re experiencing or how to treat derealisation.
Diagnosing Derealisation Disorder
Diagnosis involves ruling out physical and neurological causes while assessing dissociative symptoms. A psychiatrist or psychologist will conduct a thorough evaluation using clinical interviews and standardised psychological assessments.
Clinical Interview and History-Taking
The first step includes understanding symptom patterns, emotional history, and any prior trauma or substance use. The clinician will explore triggers and rule out other causes, like head injury.
A detailed psychiatric history helps differentiate what is derealisation from similar experiences tied to depression, anxiety, or neurological illness.
Differential Diagnosis
Derealisation may resemble other conditions. Medical professionals will rule out epilepsy, schizophrenia, drug-induced psychosis, or mood disorders. Insight, knowing something feels “off” but isn’t real, is a key feature.
This awareness helps distinguish derealisation disorder from psychotic disorders, where individuals lose touch with reality entirely.
Role of Psychological Assessments
Tools like the SCID-D and DES scales assess dissociative symptoms in depth. They help evaluate the frequency, duration, and severity of derealisation. Some clinicians may also use brain imaging or blood tests to exclude underlying medical issues.
These assessments support accurate diagnosis and personalised derealisation disorder treatment planning.
How Derealisation Disorder Is Treated
There’s no one-size-fits-all cure, but derealisation can be managed effectively. Treatment typically combines therapy, medication, and practical tools to help individuals reconnect with their body, emotions, and the present moment.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT focuses on challenging intrusive thoughts and breaking avoidance patterns. It helps individuals identify triggers, reframe catastrophic thinking, and build coping skills.
By learning to approach rather than fear dissociation, individuals often reduce symptoms and improve functioning. CBT is considered a first-line approach for how to treat derealisation effectively.
Medication and Medical Support
While no drug specifically targets derealisation disorder, medications like SSRIs, anxiolytics, or mood stabilisers may help if the symptoms stem from anxiety or depression.
These support systems can improve overall emotional regulation and reduce the frequency of dissociative episodes, particularly when combined with consistent therapy and holistic care.
Grounding Techniques in Therapy
Grounding involves using physical sensations to reconnect with reality, like touching a textured object, naming things around you, or using aromatherapy. These exercises help calm the nervous system and reduce dissociative drift.
Many therapists teach grounding early in derealisation treatment to offer immediate tools for coping and control.
When to Seek Help for Derealisation Disorder
If symptoms are persistent, distressing, or worsening, don’t wait. Seeking help early leads to better outcomes and prevents further psychological complications. Support exists, and recovery is absolutely possible.
Red Flags and Worsening Symptoms
Increasing disconnection, inability to function, panic, or suicidal thoughts are signs to seek immediate care. If derealisation lasts beyond a few weeks, impacts work or relationships, or causes severe anxiety, it’s essential to get evaluated.
Persistent symptoms require professional support and possibly a derealisation disorder test for confirmation.
How Cadabam’s Hospital Can Help
At Cadabam’s Hospitals, we offer expert-led care for derealisation disorder through a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and trauma specialists.
Our personalised plans include therapy, medical support, and long-term aftercare tailored to your needs. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to help you reconnect with reality, with others, and with yourself. Your path to clarity begins here.
If you are searching for a solution to your problem, Cadabam’s Hospitals can help you with its team of specialised experts. We have been helping thousands of people live healthier and happier lives for 30+ years. We leverage evidence-based approaches and holistic treatment methods to help individuals effectively manage their Derealisation Disorder. Get in touch with us today. You can call us at +91 97414 76476. You can even email us at info@cadabamshospitals.com.
FAQs
Is derealisation disorder a mental illness?
Yes, derealisation disorder is classified as a dissociative mental health condition. It involves a persistent sense that the world is unreal. Though distressing, it is treatable and distinct from psychosis or other severe psychiatric illnesses.
Can derealisation be caused by anxiety?
Absolutely. Intense or prolonged anxiety can trigger episodes of derealisation. The brain may respond to overwhelming stress by disconnecting from the environment—a defence mechanism that leads to feelings of unreality and detachment from surroundings.
How do I know if I have derealisation disorder?
If you frequently feel the world around you is dreamlike, artificial, or disconnected, and it’s causing distress or affecting daily life, you may have derealisation disorder. A mental health professional can confirm this with appropriate evaluations.
Does derealisation mean I’m going crazy?
No, it doesn’t. Most people with derealisation disorder are fully aware that their perceptions are altered, which actually separates it from psychosis. The experience is unsettling, but it’s a recognised, manageable mental health condition—not a sign of losing your mind.
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