Depersonalisation.

Depersonalisation

Depersonalisation: to feel cut off and disconnected from things.

Some people who have anxiety and/or depression can feel mentally disconnected from time to time. It can last for hours. This sensation is called depersonalisation. You might feel zoned out and feel like you have a fuzzy head. It can be hard to put this feeling into words but I like to describe it as a sort of out-of-body experience or like being in a pitch black room where you can’t see your hand in front of your own face. You know your hand is there but you can’t see it and you can’t feel it no matter how close you think it is to your face. You are fully awake but you feel distant and as though you are on autopilot. The things around you may not feel or seem real; this is called derealisation. It can be rather disturbing. Both sensations can come on suddenly and stop just as quick. When depersonalistion and/or derealisation are being experienced, it is best to do some calming techniques to help you to relax and to focus on the things around you. I will touch on this in my next bonus post.

Below features a list with the most common causes of depersonalisation:

• High levels of panic or anxiety
• An increase in depression
• Upsetting memories/flashbacks and other upsetting thoughts
• Hyperventilating (overbreathing)
• Physical illnesses such as infections (colds/flu/viruses etc) and
• Side effects of medication: Most medications (for mental health) do not cause depersonalisation but there are a few common medications that can.