https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depersonalization
This article is about the psychological symptom. For the diagnosis, see
depersonalization disorder.
Depersonalization (or
depersonalisation) is an anomaly of self-awareness. It consists of a feeling of watching oneself act, while having no control over a situation.
[1] Subjects feel they have changed, and the world has become vague, dreamlike, less real, or lacking in significance. It can be a disturbing experience, since many feel that, indeed, they are living in a "dream". Chronic depersonalization refers to
depersonalization disorder, which is classified by the
DSM-IV as a
dissociative disorder. Though degrees of depersonalization and
derealization can happen to anyone who is subject to temporary anxiety/stress, chronic depersonalization is more related to individuals who have experienced a severe
trauma or prolonged stress/anxiety. Depersonalization-derealization is the single most important symptom in the spectrum of dissociative disorders, including
dissociative identity disorder and "
dissociative disorder not otherwise specified" (DD-NOS). It is also a prominent symptom in some other non-dissociative disorders, such as
anxiety disorders,
clinical depression,
bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia,
[2] borderline personality disorder,
obsessive-compulsive disorder,
migraine and
sleep deprivation, and it can be a symptom of some types of neurological
seizure. It can be considered desirable, such as in the use of
recreational drugs.