Depersonalization Derealization Disorder
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Disorders are characterized by alterations in perception: a sense of detachment from one’s own self, from the world, or from memories. It likely to happen after an extremely stressful event, such as accident. It also is more likely to happen when you’re tired or sleep deprived from staying up all night cramming for an exam. If you have had an experience od dissociation, it may not have bothered you much, perhaps because you know the cause. On the other hand, it may have been extremely frightening. Transient experiences of dissociation will occur in about half of the general population at some point in their lives. Dissociative Disorder include Depersonalization- Derealization Disorder, Dissociative amnesia, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Dissociative Trance Disorder.
About Depersonalization Derealization Disorder:
When feelings of unreality are so severe and frightening that they dominate an individual’s life and prevent normal functioning and this may diagnose Depersonalization Derealization Disorder.
SYMPTOMS
1. Severe and frightening feelings of detachment dominate the person’s life.
2. Affected person feels like an outside observer of his or her own metal or body processes.
3. Causes significant distress or impairment in functioning, especially emotional expression and deficits in perception.
4. Rare: Onset usually in adolescence.
CAUSES
During an intense panic attack many people experience feelings of unreality. People undergoing intense stress or experiencing a traumatic event may also experience these symptoms. Feelings of Depersonalization and Derealization are part of several disorders. Brain imaging studies confirm deficits in perception and emotional regulation.
TREATMENT
Psychological treatments have not been systematically studied. One evaluation of the drug Prozac did not show any treatment effect compared with placebo.
Panic Control Therapy (PCT) may be helpful in treating the disorder. Stresses associated with onset of disorder should be addressed.
This Disorder tends to be lifelong.
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REFERENCE
David H. Barlow, BOSTON UNIVERSITY
V. Mark Durand, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA- ST. PETERSBERG
2. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: 9TH EDITION
Davision G.C., Neale, J.M. and Kring, A.M.
3. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Allov. L.B.: Riskind, J.H. and Manos, M.J.
4. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MODERN LIFE. NY: Harper and Collins. 2000
Carson. R.C. and Butcher. N.J.