How to Deal With Depersonalization

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By CM Herold
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Depersonalization

Depersonalization is the perception or experience when a person feels detached from his or her body. It's a feeling of unreality. Sometimes it feels as if a person is watching oneself from a distance. It may feel like living in a dream or feel like living in a dome separated from the rest of the world. Many people experience these feelings temporally at one time or another usually in relation to a stressful event; however, for others it's a ongoing debilitating disorder. Follow these tips to deal with depersonalization.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A doctor who is familiar with depersonalization.

Step 1

To deal with depersonalization during intense episodes of anxiety and stress remind yourself that the intense anxiety will pass. It is anxiety and it will be okay. You are not going crazy. This is a false assumption shared by many people who suffer from depersonalization. Of course if you feel the feelings are unbearable or you may harm yourself, seek medical attention right away or help from a friend or family member.
Step 2

Call someone to talk with to distract you with some other topic. To deal with depersonalization sometimes talking about something other than anxiety can help relieve symptoms of anxiety. Do something that will distract you from the feelings like reading or watching a movie. Take a nap or just meditate.
Step 3

Know what exacerbates your depersonalization. Eliminate it or deal with it head on. For example if driving on the freeway brings on anxiety, find alternate routes. Or make a plan to drive on the freeway a little more each day. Make a list of what triggers your feelings and search for the underlying cause.
Step 4

To deal with depersonalization write about your experiences and feelings. Start with an autobiography. When did your feelings begin? Was it after a traumatic event in your life? Talk with your doctor about your anxiety.
Step 5

Accept your feelings. Make peace with what you can and cannot do. Never lose hope that things will get better. There is a lot of research that suggests your brain is just tired or on overload from anxiety. To deal with depersonalization during intense episodes say to yourself, "Okay, there it is again. My brain just needs a rest." If this statement doesn't work, find something to say to yourself that acknowledges your feelings.
Step 6

Many people report that exercising out in the sun has a significant impact on their feelings of depersonalization. Try to go out for walks. If it's hard to get out of the house, go out on the patio or in the backyard and exercise. Do these activities on a regular basis. Research and personal stories from people with depersonalization suggest that exercising regularly may be one of the best ways to deal with depersonalization.
Step 7

Avoid illegal drugs and chemicals

Avoid illegal drugs especially cannabis which has been reported to bring on feelings of depersonalization. I have read hundreds of personal stories from people who suffer from depersonalization. Many report the onset of depersonalization from the use of illegal drugs especially cannabis.
Step 8

Find your peaceful place.

Seek familiar settings or objects. Sometimes being in a familiar room or hold an object can reduce stress. Easy to read books and magazines can also be helpful when feeling depersonalized.
Step 9

Eat well.

Many people have reported that eating healthy helps improve feelings of depersonalization. Lots of fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water each day may help decrease feelings of depersonalization. A diet high in protein may also be helpful. Sugar substitutes as well as coffee and nicotine may exacerbate the symptoms of depersonalization, so avoid them.
Step 10

Your inner child wants to be embraced and reassured.

Embrace your inner child. Give him or her the love she or he needs. Many times depersonalization stems from a traumatic event from childhood. That experience may be buried deep within the soul of your little child who still suffers from the effect of the trauma. Depersonalization may be a way for your brain to numb itself from the traumatic childhood memories.
Step 11

Don't suffer alone. Check out http://www.dpselfhelp.com/forum/. On this forum people who suffer from depersonalization openly share about their experiences. Don't deal with depersonalization alone. It's very comforting to talk about your experiences and listen to others share their stories.

Comments

slphilbrick said

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on 2/8/2009 This accompanies many general anxiety disorder symptoms ..... it's a difficult place to be, but you have laid out wonderful guidelines to coping, and moving beyond it. 5*