Depersonalisation and derealisation, often referred to together as DPDR, are experiences of disconnection that commonly occur during periods of stress, anxiety, or overwhelm.

Although DPDR can feel frightening and deeply unsettling, it is not dangerous, not psychosis, and not a sign of losing control. It is a protective response of the nervous system, designed to reduce overwhelm when the system perceives threat.

What Is Depersonalisation?

Depersonalisation involves a sense of disconnection from the self. People may describe:

• Feeling unreal, numb, or detached from their body
• Feeling emotionally flat or distant
• Observing themselves from the outside
• A sense of “I’m here, but not fully here”

A key feature of depersonalisation is that insight remains intact. People experiencing it know something feels different, even if they cannot fully explain it. Reality testing is preserved.

What Is Derealisation?

Derealisation affects the perception of the external world rather than the self. Common experiences include:

• The environment feeling flat, artificial, or dreamlike
• Changes in colour, depth, or clarity
• Feeling separated from surroundings by a “glass wall”
• The world appearing unfamiliar despite knowing it isn’t

This is a perceptual change, not a loss of reality.

Why DPDR Happens

DPDR is a nervous system response, not a malfunction.

When the nervous system perceives threat, overload, or prolonged stress, it may reduce emotional and sensory input as a form of protection. Rather than fight or flee, the system shifts into detachment.

DPDR can occur during or after:

• High anxiety or panic
• Prolonged stress or burnout
• Trauma or chronic overwhelm
• Sudden emotional shock
• Periods of intense self-focus or rumination

This response is automatic and unconscious. It is not something a person chooses.

What DPDR Is Not

DPDR is often misunderstood, which can increase fear and distress. It is not:

• Psychosis
• Schizophrenia
• A personality disorder
• Brain damage
• Permanent

People experiencing DPDR remain oriented, aware, and able to reality-check, even when they feel disconnected.

Why DPDR Can Feel Persistent

DPDR can become self-maintaining when fear is added to the experience.

Common factors that keep it going include:

• Constantly monitoring symptoms
• Trying to force feelings or sensations to return
• Catastrophic interpretations (“Something is wrong with me”)
• Excessive analysing or reassurance-seeking

When the nervous system continues to sense danger, it maintains the protective response.

A Personal Note

This is a subject I understand not only professionally, but personally.

A close family member lives with depersonalisation and derealisation, and I have seen first-hand how isolating, confusing, and frightening the experience can be, particularly when it is misunderstood or minimised.

This perspective informs my work and deepens my respect for how real and disruptive DPDR can feel, even when it is not outwardly visible.

Recovery and Resolution

DPDR resolves when the nervous system no longer perceives threat.

This does not happen through forcing sensation or analysing symptoms, but through:

• Restoring a sense of safety
• Reducing fear around the experience
• Allowing the nervous system to settle
• Gently re-engaging with life and the body

For many people, DPDR fades gradually as stability returns.

A Reassuring Truth

DPDR feels alarming because it affects perception and identity, but it is a functional response, not a fault.

Nothing has gone wrong.

Nothing is broken.

The nervous system is responding as it was designed to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this ever go away?

Yes. DPDR is reversible.

For many people it fades gradually as the nervous system settles and fear reduces. The timeline varies, but DPDR is not permanent.

Am I going crazy or losing my mind?

No.

People experiencing DPDR remain aware and able to reality-check. The fear of “going mad” is a common feature of DPDR, not evidence of it.

Is DPDR psychosis or schizophrenia?

No.

DPDR is a dissociative response, not a psychotic one. Insight is preserved.

Why do I feel emotionally numb?

Emotional numbing is part of the nervous system’s protective response. When overwhelm is detected, emotional intensity may be reduced temporarily to help the system cope.

Can anxiety cause DPDR?

Yes.

DPDR commonly appears during periods of high or prolonged anxiety, panic, stress, or exhaustion. Fear of the symptoms themselves can also maintain it.

Should I keep checking if I feel ‘normal’ again?

Constantly monitoring sensations often maintains DPDR rather than resolving it. The nervous system settles more easily when attention gently returns to everyday life.

Is DPDR dangerous?

No.

Although deeply uncomfortable, DPDR does not damage the brain or nervous system.

Do medications help?

Medication can help some people, particularly where anxiety or depression is present, but it is not a universal solution. Decisions are best made with a qualified medical professional.

What actually helps DPDR improve?

DPDR improves when the nervous system no longer perceives danger. This usually involves:

• Reducing fear around the experience
• Restoring safety and stability
• Gentle re-engagement with life
• Avoiding excessive analysis or reassurance-seeking

Recovery is often gradual rather than sudden.

Support

If DPDR is persistent, distressing, or interfering with daily life, professional support can help create the conditions for recovery, at a pace that respects the nervous system rather than overwhelming it.