Depersonalisation and Derealisation
What is Depersonalisation and Derealisation?
Individual develops coping methods in the absence of therapy in response to their mental health conditions. In most cases, these coping methods are only effective in the short term. For instance, in the case of people suffering from anxiety, the coping mechanisms they adopt can help them survive and get through the day without having a panic attack, but they are usually quite destructive over time.
Depersonalisation and derealisation are two prevalent symptoms associated with anxiety disorders.
Depersonalisation And Derealisation
Depersonalisation is a state in which the person feels as though they are no more "in" their own body but are instead witnessing it from afar. This can be a terrifying sensation, accompanied by a sense of having almost no command over their own actions. People who go through this are frequently concerned that they are "becoming insane," that they are losing touch with reality to the point where they can no longer function in society.
Depersonalization is frequently connected with anxiety disorders, but can also be a sign of other ailments such as substance abuse and a variety of mental conditions.
Derealisation, on the other hand, is the experience of being disconnected from the things and people in one's surroundings. Derealisation can make a person feel as if they have no control over their environment and that their family and friends are strangers rather than familiar and loved people. They frequently feel as if they don't know what to do.
Anxiety Treatment Methods
As both of these illnesses emerge like an automatic response to an oncoming panic attack or extreme worry, the only long-term strategy to eliminate the danger of having them is to deal with the anxiety. Fortunately, there are several proven methods for reducing or even eliminating anxiety symptoms. Medication can work in the short term, however for the long term, it is critical to receive an appropriate form of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, avoidance therapy, and so on; working together, you and your therapist can figure out what kind of approach, or combination of approaches, is best for you.
It may a while in therapy for anxiety symptoms to subside significantly, therefore in addition to a long-term approach to treating anxiety, some behavioral modifications can assist to ease the symptoms of depersonalisation and derealisation. These include the use of basic mindfulness and/or deep breathing techniques to return to the present moment and refocus on what is happening in the immediate surroundings. While you attempt to regulate your anxiety, a therapist can teach you some simple skills that you can apply in your daily life.
People who have suffered with anxiety for a long time may be at risk of relapsing when they are stressed. Even after you have finished therapy, it may be beneficial to join a support group or have an occasional therapy session to reaffirm the positive adjustments you have made to help you manage your condition.