How to Deal With Depersonalization at Work

If you suffer from depersonalization, remember you're not alone. It is estimated that epersonalization affects about seven to ten percent of the population. If you are having bad symptoms of depersonalization at work, there are several ways to cope with it. Follow these steps to deal with depersonalization at work.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 

   If you're willing to take medication, ask your doctor for a low prescription of ****. **** is a tranquilizer and will help you get through tough moments at work. Your doctor may also want to put you on another medication.

2. 

   Get up and go to the bathroom for a few minutes. Sit down and meditate. If you believe in God or a Higher Power, meditate and ask him or her to help you with your symptoms. Act as if your Higher Power is all around you protecting you. Some people like to meditate on nature. Imagine beautiful scenes of nature where you're walking along a path of flowers. See yourself sitting on the beach soaking up the warm ethereal rays. The rays will help heal you.

3. 

   Join the DP self help forum. Log-on at work if you can. Reading about how others deal with depersonalization will help your symptoms. See the link in the resource section near the bottom of this page for the link to DP self help. Remember, sometimes employers can check your computer to see where you have been online.

4. 

   If you need to go home, tell your boss you're ill and have to leave. Do this only in case of emergency. You don't want to be a slave to the disorder.

5. 

   During your lunch breaks go to a gym and exercise. Studies show that exercise can reduce the symptoms of depersonalization.

6. 

   Avoid caffeine. Research shows that coffee can make depersonalization symptoms more intense.

7. 

   If you smoke, quit. Nicotine also worsens depersonalization symptoms.

8. 

   During breaks go outside for some fresh air and sun. Being in the sun for a few minutes a day has been reported to improve depersonalization symptoms.

9. 

   If you work in a stressful environment, look for another job. You deserve to work in a healthy environment whether or not you suffer from depersonalization. It's even harder to deal with depersonalization in a dysfunctional work environment.

10. 

    Don't give up hope. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, depersonalization clears up on its own.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to see a doctor who is familiar with depersonalization. Many are not.

Resources

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• DP Self-Help Forum
• Check out my personal story about depersonalization

[spiralchild]

on 7/21/2009 a lot of your tips are somewhat biased, honestly. i've had depersonalization for almost a year now, and smoking helps to reduce the overwhelming sensation it gives me, both marijuana and cigarettes. also, by telling people to lie to their bosses or find work elsewhere you're doing nothing but encouraging them to avoid confronting their problems. that doesn't help them.

[sunshine11219]

on 1/16/2009 great tips with good resources