Overcoming Depersonalization and Feelings of Unreality: Treatment for Dissociation and Depersonalization

Depersonalization is a dissociative disorder; depersonalization is when someone has episodes of feeling like they are not in their body, their limbs, or are watching themselves from afar. Dissociative disorders like depersonalization and derealization often occur as a result of psychological trauma and ongoing periods of distress. Dissociation is an instinctive trauma response that activates when we’re under intense distress but can’t get away from the trigger, as a way for our body to help us tolerate being stuck in it.  But when these responses are prolonged, chronic, or occur during times where there isn’t an environmental trigger or threat, it can be really alarming and disruptive to our lives. Kelsey Harper, trauma therapist and clinical psychologist dives into depersonalization and derealization, and gives recommendations for next steps to get help.