Depersonalization/derealization disorder are persistent or recurrent episodes of depersonalization, derealization, or both. Episodes of depersonalization are characterized by a feeling of unreality or detachment from, or unfamiliarity with, one's whole self or from aspects of the self. The individual often feels completely detached from their own being, and their may be a diminished sense of agency.
The mean age at onset of depersonalization/derealization disorder is 16 years, although the disorder can start in early or middle childhood.
The presence of persistent or recurrent experiences of depersonalization, derealization, or both:
During the depersonalization or derealization experiences, reality testing remains intact.
The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, medication) or another medical condition (e.g. - seizures).
The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, acute stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, or another dissociative disorder.
Name | Rater | Description | Download |
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Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) | Patient | The scale is a 28-item self-report questionnaire measuring dissociation in normal and clinical populations. The mean of all item scores ranges from 0 to 100 and is called the DES score. There are two versions of the DES, there is the original DES, and the second version, the DES-II.[1] See also the DES Taxon Calculator to help differentiate between pathological and normal dissociation. | DES Download |
Common causes of the disorder are severe stress (interpersonal, financial, occupational), depression, anxiety (particularly panic attacks), and substance use. Substance such as tetrahydrocannabinol, hallucinogens, ketamine, MDMA, and salvia. Cannabis in particular may precipitate new-onset panic attacks and depersonalization/derealization symptoms simultaneously.