Is an anxiety disorder in which an individual experiences recurrent sudden onsets of intense terror often without warning and with no specific cause?

Depersonalization Disorder

Synonyms of Depersonalization Disorder

  • Depersonalization Neurosis

General Discussion

Depersonalization disorder is a psychiatric disorder affecting emotions and behavior. It is characterized by an alteration in how an affected individual perceives or experiences his or her unique sense of self. The usual sense of one’s own reality is temporarily lost or changed. A feeling of detachment from, or being an outside observer of, one’s mental processes or body occurs such as the sensation of being in a dream.

Signs & Symptoms

Depersonalization disorder is characterized by persistent or recurring episodes of the loss of the sense of self (depersonalization). The symptoms of depersonalization disorder are sufficient enough to cause marked distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of life. The usual sense of one’s self or reality is temporarily changed or lost. A feeling of detachment from, or being an outside observer of, one’s mental processes or body occurs. The affected individual may feel as if he/she is in a dream. Affected individuals may experience various types of lack of sensory stimulation (sensory anesthesia) and a sensation of not being in complete control of one’s actions, including speech. This condition may not occur during the course of another mental disorder or be the effects of a substance or general medical condition.

Depersonalization disorder usually starts during adolescence or early adulthood. The disorder is usually chronic with periods of remission. More severe manifestations may be aggravated by mild anxiety or depression. The disorder usually disappears gradually.

Causes

The exact cause of depersonalization disorder is not known. A traumatic event such as military combat, a car accident, or being a victim of a violent crime may trigger an episode of depersonalization disorder. Substance use may cause depersonalization episodes, but not the disorder.

Affected Populations

Depersonalization disorder is believed to affect women twice as much as men. The disorder most commonly affects individuals between the ages of 15 and 30. It is rarely seen in those over the age of 40.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of depersonalization disorder can be suspected after a complete physical examination and laboratory tests have ruled out any substance or geneal medical condition. A complete psychiatric evaluation should also be conducted.

Standard Therapies

Treatment

Treatment of depersonalization disorder involves psychotherapy. The antidepressant drug desipramine may be beneficial. The drugs dextroamphetamines and amobarbital (Amytal) combined with chlorpromazine (Thorazine) may be beneficial if anxiety is experienced. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

Investigational Therapies

Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government website.

For information about clinical trials being conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:

Tollfree: (800) 411-1222

TTY: (866) 411-1010

Email: [email protected]

For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:

www.centerwatch.com

A study to determine the effects of fluoxetine on patients with depersonalization disorder was recently (2005) completed. This study was sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health and Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Further information is available on the www.clinicaltrials.gov web site.

Supporting Organizations

  • Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
    • PO Box 8126
    • Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
    • Phone: (301) 251-4925
    • Toll-free: (888) 205-2311
    • Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/
  • Mental Health America
    • 500 Montgomery Street, Suite 820
    • Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
    • Phone: (703) 684-7722
    • Toll-free: (800) 969-6642
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Website: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness
    • 4301 Wilson Blvd, Ste 300
    • Arlington, VA 22203-
    • Phone: (703) 524-7600
    • Toll-free: (800) 999-6264
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Website: http://www.nami.org
  • National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse
    • 1211 Chestnut Street
    • Suite 1207
    • Philadelphia, PA 19107-6312 USA
    • Phone: (215) 751-1810
    • Toll-free: (800) 553-4539
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Website: http://www.mhselfhelp.org
  • NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
    • Health Science Writing, Press and Dissemination Branch
    • 6001 Executive Boulevard
    • Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
    • Phone: (301) 443-4513
    • Toll-free: (866) 615-6464
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Website: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

References

Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry/V, 5th Ed.: Harold I. Kaplan and Benjamin J. Sadock, Editors; Williams & Wilkins, 1989. Pp. 1038-43.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM IV, 4th Ed.: A. Frances et. al., Editors; American Psychiatric Association, 1994. Pp. 488-90.

Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders, 2nd Ed.: Glen O. Gabbard, M.D., Editor; American Psychiatric Association, 1995. Pp. 1634-53.

Desipramine: A Possible Treatment for Depersonalization Disorder. R. Noyes, Jr. et al.; Canadian Journal Psychiatry (Dec 1987; 32(9)). Pp. 782-84.

Depersonalization in a Nonclinical Population. D. Trueman; Journal Psychol (Jan 1984; 116 (1st half)). Pp. 107-12.

Depersonalization and Agoraphobia Associated with Marijuana Use. C. Moran; British Journal Med Psychol (Jun 1986; 59(pt 2)). Pp. 187-96.

Feelings Unreal: 30 Cases of DSM-III-R Depersonalization Disorder. D. Simeon et al.; Am J Psychiatry (Aug 1997; 154(8)). Pp. 1107-13.

Depersonalization Disorder and Self-Injurious Behavior. D. Simeon et al.; J Clin Psychiatry (1995; 56(suppl 4)). Pp. 36-39.

FROM THE INTERNET

eMedicine – Dissociative Disorders : Article by Idan Sharon, MD

www.emedicine.com/med/topic3484.htm

www.mayoclinic.com/health/dissociative-disorders/DS00574

Years Published

1989, 1998, 2007

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