FAQ

An FAQ on depersonalization and derealization by Harris Harrington

 

1. What are the symptoms of Depersonalization Disorder (DPD) and derealization and how do I know if I have it?

2. How long does it take to recover using your method?

3. What is the recovery process like?

4. Will your method work for me?

5. I just got Depersonalization from smoking marijuana/pot/weed/any drug, what should I do?

6. I only have Derealization, will your program still work?

7. If I got DP from smoking weed or taking a drug, then why do I need to recover from emotional abuse?

8. What causes DP? How is it cured?

9. What is the difference between derealization and depersonalization?

10. I’ve had DP for my whole life, will your program still work?

11. Does depersonalization mean there is damage to my brain?

12. Is DP the sign of a more severe illness like schizophrenia or going insane?

13. I read somewhere that there is no cure for DP, is that true?

14. Does DP go away on its own?

15. Is your program different from other methods of overcoming DP? Can’t I just get all of this information for free on the internet?

16. Should I see a therapist, psychiatrist, or counselor?

17. What should I do about all the depersonalized thoughts I’ve had? Will my perspective ever change?

18. What is it like to be fully recovered?

19. All of this psychotherapy terminology sounds like “getting stuck in the past”. Aren’t I supposed to get on with my life?

20. How do I get your program? Is it a physical DVD or do I download it?

21. How does depression relate to Depersonalization Disorder?

22. Is there a medication to cure Depersonalization Disorder?

23.  Are there any supplements that cure or reduce Depersonalization Disorder? 

24.  Is Depersonalization Disorder a result of Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD)? 

1. What are the symptoms of Depersonalization Disorder (DPD) and derealization and how do I know if I have it?

 

Since DPD and derealization (both part of the same disorder) are subjective experiences, there are no real outward signs that a person has it.

The internal sensations themselves are often described with many different words, but it is often very difficult to put into words what one experiences.

Here are the typical symptoms of Depersonalization Disorder, broken into depersonalization symptoms and derealization symptoms.  Although they may feel different, these two symptom clusters are both part of the same disorder:

Depersonalization Symptoms:

  • Feeling like an automaton, a sense of having no will or agency
  • Feeling like an outside observer of one’s own mental processes
  • Feeling that you are not in control of your speech or actions
  • Feeling estranged from your self
  • Not feeling like the person you see in the mirror
  • Fearing that you are going to go insane or lose control

Derealization symptoms:

  • Derealization is a perception that the external world is an altered reality, or is somehow unreal.
  • A sense that other people seem unfamiliar or mechanical, that they “lack souls”
  • A sense that familiar surroundings are unfamiliar
  • It may feel that when you touch an object “you” are not really touching, that you are somehow located more deeply in your body, or that there is a bubble surrounding you
  • Things feel numb and less “crisp”
  • The external world may appear visually flat, almost two dimensional
  • Things may appear smaller or larger than they really are (known as micropsia and macropsia)
  • The world and your life feels like a movie that you are watching on a screen
  • Altered perception of time
  • Visual snow/visual static

 

Transient vs Chronic DP/DR:

It is important to understand not only the symptoms themselves, but also the duration of the symptoms. DPD is a chronic disorder, meaning people have it for months, and often years of their life, and it doesn’t go away (if untreated).

But depersonalization and derealization are also transient symptoms of anxiety that go away as soon as the anxiety goes away. This is different from the official disorder (DPD). Chronic DPD is a disorder that for many people lasts their whole life (if untreated).

 

2. How long does it take to recover using your method?

 

Recovery can happen within a week a two, but sometimes might take months.

I can’t make any predictions, but depending on how thoroughly you implement the material and review, you can achieve very quick results.

The recovery process is going to be different for everyone. But I can tell you that once I started delving into the deep psychodynamic, psychotherapeutic methods I teach in the program, it only took a few weeks.  Many people who have used the program report partial or complete recovery before they have even completed the program.

 

3. What is the recovery process like?

 

The recovery process is going to be different for everyone. But I can tell you that once I started delving into the deep psychodynamic psychotherapeutic methods I teach in the program, it only took a few weeks.

It often times only takes uncovering the few unprocessed parts of ourselves that we have been pushing out of our awareness, to experience a recovery, and to feel “real” again.

For me, this was making the realization that I came from a dysfunctional family, that my emotional and social needs were neglected, and in many ways, thwarted by my parents, and that I experienced chronic relational trauma.

Once I uncovered these factors, I was able to focus on what my true needs as a human being are, and I experienced a few moments of re-personalization and re-realization.

Even though I had these breakthrough moments, I did experience a jagged recovery afterward for a while before smoothing out into a fully “normal” state. If I experienced extreme stress I would sometimes “pop” back into a depersonalized state for a few hours, then “pop” back into my normal state.

This is a reality of all types of recovery: it’s non-linear.  Recovery does not proceed in a straight line.

 

4. Will your method work for me?

 

Many people email me with a very specific list of symptoms they have wanting to know if the program will work for them. Almost always, the answer is yes.

Everyone who has Depersonalization Disorder has a unique set of symptoms, but my method will still work for you.

To be honest, we humans are not all that different, and when it comes to DP, the origins and solutions are fairly similar as well.

Many people think that because they experienced very specific symptoms, that somehow they are different from all others with DP and that similar rules won’t apply.

A very small minority of people with the disorder may have never experienced emotional abuse, trauma, attachment problems, or come from a dysfunctional family. These people are rare, and if you think your family was fine, that isn’t reliable evidence that it actually was. Well-meaning parents impart the disorder to their children very frequently.

 

5. I just got Depersonalization from smoking marijuana/pot/weed/any drug, what should I do?

 

I recommend the same plan for everyone: go through my program in detail, and do every exercise. You need to develop a full understanding of all the traumatic experiences you have gone through, how your family functioned, and how all of this shaped your self.

Develop a web of healthy, functional friendships, and think about what is truly best for you as a person, not what has been forced upon you by a person or society.

I would also recommend quitting pot permanently, along with any hardcore drugs. Many people with DPD have a highly sensitive personality. Yes, many of your friends might do tons of drugs with few consequences, but they may have a different type of nervous system than you have.

 

6. I only have derealization, will your program still work?

 

Yes. Chronic derealization is a symptom of Depersonalization Disorder. Everyone has a slightly different set of symptoms, but the program will still work for you the same, even if you don’t feel a sense of estrangement from your sense of self (DP) and only a sense that the outward world is unreal (DR).

 

7. If I got DP from smoking weed or taking a drug, then why do I need to recover from emotional abuse?

 

DP acquired from smoking pot or taking a drug is the same disorder as it is in people who acquire it from stress, or during their early childhood. Marijuana is classified as a “trigger”, which many people confuse for a cause. The ultimate cause of DP is cumulative trauma over your life, not smoking pot.

While smoking pot or having a bad trip does constitute trauma, for the vast majority of people it is simply the tip of an iceberg. To cure the disorder you have to process the trauma.

 

8. What causes DP? How is it cured?

 

Psychological trauma that accumulates over many years. Trauma is any psychic pain that brings about dissociation, denial, or suppression as a way to stop the pain. (Read my article on trauma here)

We have two different memory systems: emotional memories and fact-like “verbal”/”visual” memories. When you consciously process a really traumatic event or situation you went through, you are literally linking two parts of memory: the emotional and the verbal.

When this happens, the traumatic emotional memory stops polluting your nervous system with stress. When traumatic memories are unprocessed verbally, they hurt us in the present moment, and fuel anxiety as well as depersonalization.

This is called trauma integration. That’s one of the reasons my program is called The Total Integration Method.

Most people with DPD come from dysfunctional families, and many are not aware of this. This lack of awareness is in in itself a form of trauma that needs to be consciously processed.

Another form of trauma that lays the foundation for acquiring the disorder in later years is something called relational trauma. There is in fact a specific form of relational trauma called a disorganized attachment style that is the key for understanding what causes DP later in life.

For a more in depth explanation of attachment theory and its relationship to DP, get my program, or read my free article “Why do some people acquire Depersonalization Disorder and not Others?”

 

9. What is the difference between derealization and depersonalization?

 

DP and DR are two elements of the same disorder (known as Depersonalization Disorder).

[NOTE: If they are only experienced for a few hours during a panic attack, or while taking a drug, but then disappear, then we are talking about transient depersonalization and derealization, not DPD.]

As symptoms of the CHRONIC disorder (DPD) they can feel very different, but I assure you that they are two parts of the same disorder, as pretty much all research into DPD supports this view.

Here are the different symptoms of DP and DR:

Derealization symptoms:

  • Derealization is a perception that the external world is an altered reality, or is somehow unreal.
  • A sense that other people seem unfamiliar or mechanical, that they “lack souls”
  • A sense that familiar surroundings are unfamiliar
  • It may feel that when you touch an object “you” are not really touching, that you are somehow located more deeply in your body, or that there is a bubble surrounding you
  • Things feel numb and less “crisp”
  • The external world may appear visually flat, almost two dimensional
  • Things may appear smaller or larger than they really are (known as micropsia and macropsia)
  • The world and your life feels like a movie that you are watching on a screen
  • Altered perception of time
  • Visual snow/visual static

 

Depersonalization Symptoms:

  • Feeling like an automaton, a sense of having no will or agency
  • Feeling like an outside observer of one’s mental processes
  • Feeling that you are not in control of your speech or actions
  • Feeling estranged from your self
  • Not feeling like the person you see in the mirror
  • Fearing that you are going to go insane or lose control

 

10. I’ve had DP for my whole life, will your program still work?

 

Yes. Even if all you can remember is being in a state of depersonalization and you have felt unreal for as long as you can remember, this program still applies to you.

 

11. Does depersonalization mean there is damage to my brain?

 

Yes and no. Irreparable damage? No. But there is damage in a functional sense, a “disintegration” of functioning, if you will. A key area of the brain known as the hippocampus (largely responsible for verbally processing traumatic memories) has likely been damaged or is slightly atrophied in those with Depersonalization Disorder.

But there’s good news! The brain is very plastic, and the hippocampus itself can generate new neurons, as well as new neuronal connections. This is all part of the science behind what my program seeks to do: restore the integrative functioning of your brain so that you feel like a “whole” self, and feel completely well grounded in your reality.

When you process traumatic memories, create a narrative of your life, and understand how your self came to be and how you can use your will to create a powerful life, you are going to be strengthening your hippocampus, and reintegrating the functioning of your brain.

Likewise, there is an area of the brain called the orbito-medial prefrontal cortex (OMPFC) which is responsible for social reasoning and emotional processing. This area may be underdeveloped in people with DPD (as it is with many people with attachment disorders). DPD is caused by coming from a traumatic life situation or dysfunctional family.

In the end, these are all oversimplifications, but yes, there is some dysfunction going on in your brain, and it can be corrected.

 

12. Is DP the sign of a more severe illness like schizophrenia or going insane?

 

DPD is not a sign that you are going insane. In fact, the fear of going insane is a core symptom of Depersonalization Disorder (it’s also a core symptom of panic disorder and severe stress).

Some people with psychotic disorders also experience states of depersonalization and derealization, but Depersonalization Disorder alone does not mean you are going to develop a more severe condition.

 

13. I read somewhere that there is no cure for DP, is that true?

 

Many people have had DP for decades, and frankly have given into the feelings. They have probably tried, to some degree, a number of potential remedies but have just resigned themselves to the disorder.  Which is understandable.

When I had the disorder, there were many times I lost hope.

But the fact is, outside of the “DP community” it is well accepted that dissociative disorders (DP being one of them) can be treated using similar approaches that I teach in my program.

Yet in many DP books they will say it’s a “scam” if you find someone on the internet who sells information on overcoming the disorder. This often reflects an academic disdain for anyone who isn’t a licensed therapist, or someone who doesn’t have a medical degree (people like me).

Another issue is that many therapists simply don’t know how to treat DP.  In my program I give you information that most therapists don’t have.

I talk about techniques for overcoming DP that aren’t in any other DP books or programs. Many of my ideas come from a number of the most brilliant and academically-respected psychologists (People like Allan Schore, Dan Siegel, Louis Cozolino, David J. Wallin, and many others.)

 

14. Does DP go away on its own?

 

For most people with DP, the disorder doesn’t go away on its own.

For a small minority of people who acquire the disorder, it goes away on its own after a month. This is a very fortunate outcome, and it’s somewhat of a middle ground between those who only get DP during panic attacks (transient DP/DR), and those who have the chronic disorder for years.

You often hear people say “forget about it and it goes away”. But many of these people don’t have DPD, they have TRANSIENT depersonalization/derealization that goes away on its own, and is only a symptom of anxiety and stress.

If you’ve had DP for a number of months (or even a week), then you definitely have the chronic disorder. In that case the disorder may go away on its own, but this is true of only a minority of cases. For most people, if they don’t make a concerted effort to recover, then they usually don’t. The disorder can often get worse as obsessive rumination kicks in and people get afraid and confused.

There are a few different possible paths. Some people get lucky and run into the healthy circumstances that promote a functional social and emotional lifestyle. They have a strong social support network, a passion that fulfills them, and a loving romantic partner. For some of these fortunate people, the disorder naturally wanes over the course of a few years and may dissipate completely.

For the other, less fortunate group (the majority) they fall into a pit with the disorder. Some days may be okay, but many are an absolute struggle. I experienced this type of struggle for a few years. It was TERRIBLE. On many days you feel like you are literally going insane, and you feel afraid of existence itself.

You have to TAKE ACTION. My program is the best first step to take in treating your DP and feeling normal again.

 

15. Is your program different from other methods of overcoming DP? Can’t I just get all of this information for free on the internet?

 

The Depersonalization Recovery: Total Integration Method program is completely unique. There is no other program out there like it. Period.

The content, techniques, principles, exercises, and hard-earned insights I give you in this program can really be found nowhere else.

The program is the result of an epic amount of research and experimentation.

You are not going to find this information for free on the internet. In addition to all of the concepts I created myself, you would have to pay for a lot of books and read many peer reviewed journal articles. You would then have to find the pieces that applied to depersonalization and then synthesize them together and find the connections. I spent years on this.

“Forget about it and it will go away” “Eat well” “Socialize” “Change your thoughts” “Think positive”

Vague platitudes are not what my program consists of, and this advice will likely not work for you unless your DP is so mild it would go away on its own.

My program is 10 hours of the most effective techniques and ideas for truly ridding yourself of the disorder that many people have already used to recover.

This is a program for HARD CASES and chronic depersonalization/derealization sufferers.

 

16. Should I see a therapist, psychiatrist, or counselor?

 

I have written a very long and nuanced article on this topic.

Frankly, a therapist isn’t necessary for a complete recovery.

But therapy can be very helpful in overcoming DP, if you have a therapist who is:

1. Personally compatible with you

2. Very intelligent, and has experience in treating trauma based disorders (Such as PTSD, C-PTSD, attachment disorders, Borderline Personality Disorder, etc.)

You, as the client, must also be very willing to talk about all the feelings that arise within therapy, and what you think your therapist is thinking. If the relationship isn’t extremely open and honest, and if both therapist and client can’t be completely real with one another, then this will hurt your results.

A psychiatrist (who by definition must have a medical degree) is more likely to have heard of Depersonalization Disorder (many therapists have never heard of DP, which is pretty unfortunate), although they may also be more likely to push prescription medication on you (which you likely don’t need, and which could make things worse).

 

17. What should I do about all the depersonalized thoughts I’ve had? Will my perspective ever change?

 

There are roughly three states of mind we are talking about: 1. Your pre-DP “self”, 2. your DP self, and 3. Your post-DP self.

You will always remember what it was like to be depersonalized, and it will definitely lend perspective to your new life post-recovery.

You can absolutely overcome the view of your DP self, and the truth is you don’t have to resolve all the existential issues that plagued you. Intrusive and obsessive fear-invoking existential thoughts are pretty much symptoms of Depersonalization Disorder.  They tend to go away when you have addressed the deep emotional issues.

The cure to DPD isn’t to wrestle with unanswerable philosophical questions all day long, but to resolve the emotional trauma you’ve experienced, and to resolve the issues related to your sense of self, identity, and view of the world.

 

18. What is it like to be fully recovered?

 

Being fully recovered from DP is awesome. To be able to walk out the door and enjoy the world without feeling the fear of EVERYTHING, is pretty sweet. Just to feel connected with my body, my sense of self, and my surroundings is amazing.

No longer do I take for granted a sense of security in my own sense of self.

 

19. All of this psychotherapy terminology sounds like “getting stuck in the past”. Aren’t I supposed to get on with my life?

 

This one comes up for people who are resistant to psychotherapy, and consciously processing the past. Before I learned about trauma, I thought most psychotherapy was nonsense as well.

But it’s true, you DO have to get on with your life.

By processing your past, the trauma that accumulated to create DP, your family, and healing your sense of self, you WILL get on with your life and overcome a lot of self sabotaging behavior that has deep roots in the past.

Here is a VERY often misunderstood reality:  traumatic memories that are unconsciously processed in your brain, wreak havoc on your nervous system and cause the disorder to persist in the here in and now.  Your memories are stored in your brain.  So when you process your past, you are actually rewiring your brain in the present.  Memories change a bit every time they are reaccessed, resulting in a changed brain.

In addition to trauma processing, in my program I show you a ton of “here and now” techniques and lifestyle adjustments that are also crucial for overcoming DP.

People with DP are sensitive to foods, so it’s important to eat very well.  Likewise, I teach you how to maintain healthy relationships, and how to take control of your thoughts in the present moment to lower anxiety and depression.

I also talk about pursuing valued goals, which are key in developing and nurturing a renewed sense of self.

In order to overcome DP you have to realize you were victimized, and simultaneously be grateful for everything you have and move on. It’s not either/or. Pushing the past under the rug only makes things worse.

 

20. How do I get your program? Is it a physical DVD or do I download it?

 

My program is no longer sold as a physical DVD. You watch it in a members area on my website a few minutes after purchasing.  You can download it to your computer and you can stream the video on your desktop, laptop, or mobile device.

 

21. How does depression relate to Depersonalization Disorder?

 

Many people (and therapists) mistake DP for depression, and depression can often precede, coincide, and even trigger depersonalization.

Depression is a mood disorder, whereas depersonalization is a trauma based dissociative disorder. In fact there are many different kinds of depression found in people with depersonalization, but the most common that co-occurs is something called dysthymia.

Dysthymia is a somewhat mild, but long lasting form of depression. It can often last for decades, and many people come to see it as part of their personality. It is very commonly found in people from dysfunctional families who have experienced neglect.

 

22. Is there a medication to cure Depersonalization Disorder?

There is currently no medication that cures depersonalization.  Many medications are prescribed by psychiatrists, and many have been studied on depersonalization sufferers.

The most common types of medications that are used to treat DP are SSRIs (Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), Benzodiazepines, and ADHD medications.  SSRIs are a newer class of anti-depressant and these are the least effective.  They take 2-4 weeks to begin working, and usually have mild side effects.

Benzodiazepines are a fast acting anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) class of medications.  They rapidly reduce anxiety, but the downside is that they can become addictive as you need higher and higher doses to get the same initial benefits.  The withdrawal symptoms of prolonged use can make DP and anxiety much worse.  I have tried a few of these on a few occasions to reduce anxiety in the past:  ativan (lorazepam) and klonopin (clonazepam).

I don’t recommend the use of SSRIs.  In addition to the psychological techniques in my program, I recommend you completely optimize your diet and exercise.

 

23.  Are there any supplements that cure or reduce Depersonalization Disorder? 

As with medications, there are no supplements that cure DP.

I personally take supplements for overall health and stress reduction, which generally does help people reduce the symptoms of DP.  I take Vitamin D3, Fish Oil, a multivitamin, minerals such as calcium magnesium and zinc, and occasionally L-Theanine which helps with relaxation.

 

24.  Is Depersonalization Disorder a result of Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD)? 

 

HPPD occurs in much the same way that DP occurs (for those who acquire it after smoking pot or taking a drug).

In HPPD, someone takes a hallucinogen and experiences perceptual disturbances often times related to vision.  They may see halos and auras around objects, motion trails, visual snow, etc.

Since many people acquire Depersonalization Disorder via a drug trigger, there is an obvious question that is asked:  “is DP a form of HPPD?”

My short answer to that is no.

The reason is that marijuana is simply a trigger for the disorder.  There are other deep underlying causes, most notably emotional abuse and neglect, which are the true cause of the symptoms.

The disorder is found in many people who never smoked marijuana or taken drugs, yet they feel the same symptoms.

Depersonalization may be found co-occuring in people who also have HPPD.