Depersonalization Disorder - New Hope For Patients
Almost everyone has moments where they feel out of touch with reality.
These feelings usually occur during times of great stress, grief, or lack of sleep. However, when these feelings persist for long periods of time and begin to interfere in a person’s daily functioning, the person may be suffering from a severe mental disorder known as depersonalization disorder.
People suffering from depersonalization disorder always feel as though they are detached from the real world. They often feel like they are only going through the motions. In severe cases, the person may feel like they are watching their life from a distance as though in a movie or play. Other symptoms include loss of taste, absence of feeling and emotion, and lack of thoughts. The person may also feel like their voice sounds far away.
Although the exact cause of depersonalization disorder is unknown, the disorder has been linked with childhood abuse, especially abuse that is sexual or emotional in nature. The disorder has also been linked to cases where accidents, extremely stressful situations, and physical trauma have occurred.
In the past, depersonalization treatment has primarily revolved around medication. Naloxene, benzodiazepine, and certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have shown some promising signs in treating this disorder. However, no medication has been proven to control the disorder’s symptoms so that the person functions at a normal level.
Currently, new treatments are being researched that may offer depersonalization help without the use of medications. Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in the patient’s diet, while decreasing the amount of red meat and high fat dairy products has shown some promising benefits to depersonalization sufferers. Daily exercise also seems to benefit patients. Perhaps, the most promising therapy has been behavioral therapy where the patient learns to associate the feelings of dissociation with negative thought patterns.
For those suffering with this mental disorder, the toll it can have on the patient and their families can be devastating. Since this disorder frequently occurs with other mental disorders like depression and bi-polar disorder, the emotional and mental pain can seem overwhelming and insurmountable. However, with new treatments that do not include medication holding considerable promise, depersonalization patients and their families can look to the future with a new hope.