In therapy I learned that derealization is definitely a coping mechanism. I never experienced it until after I went througj a trauma in 2004.....it followed me for a few years but I have not experienced it happening in quite a few years now....it can hit when I get overly stressed though. I didn't know what it was when it first hit me & I had to ask my pdoc at the time because it scared me to experience it so intensely.

Stress & any crowds caused me to feel that way for awhile. Good therapy & living in the country by myself have all been part of the healing process along with meeting awesome people who are my wonderful support system....better than family ever knew how to be.