i don't have bipolar disorder but have experienced derealization/depersonalization.

i am not sure if they ARE different because they can create the same symptoms/feelings.

in my experience, i had it for many years, and many years were chronic symptoms daily. nothing i ever did helped it..not medication, not breathing, etc. (sometimes panic/anxiety can bring that on for me).

it took time, i guess, for it to lessen on its own...and it was definitely not easy going through it because it affected me so severe, and i just wanted it to stop.