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Derealization: Difference between revisions

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Made definition more precisely reflect what is given in the DSM5. Various perceptual distortions are common alongside this effect.
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<onlyinclude>
<onlyinclude>
[[File:Life_through_a_screen_by_Anonymous.jpg|thumbnail|250px|An artistic replication of what it feels like to experience watching the world through a screen.]]
[[File:Life_through_a_screen_by_Anonymous.jpg|thumbnail|250px|An artistic replication of what it feels like to experience watching the world through a screen.]]
'''Derealization''' or '''derealisation''' (sometimes abbreviated as '''DR''') is the experience of feeling detached from, and as if one is an outside observer of, one's surroundings (e.g., individuals or objects are experienced as unreal, dreamlike, foggy, lifeless, or visually distorted).<ref name="DSM5Glossary">American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.), 818-20. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.  https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.GlossaryofTechnicalTerms</ref> It's a type of cognitive and perceptual dysregulation.<ref name="DSM5Glossary"/> People experiencing derealization often claim that reality persistently feels as if it is a dream, or something watched through a screen,<ref name="Espiard2005">Espiard, M. L., Lecardeur, L., Abadie, P., Halbecq, I., & Dollfus, S. (2005). Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder after psilocybin consumption: a case study. European Psychiatry, 20(5), 458-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2005.04.008</ref> like a film or video game. These feelings can sometimes instill the person with a sensation of alienation and distance from those around them.  
'''Derealization''' or '''derealisation''' (sometimes abbreviated as '''DR''') is medically recognized as the experience of feeling detached from, and as if one is an outside observer of, one's surroundings.<ref name="DSM5Glossary">American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.), 818-20. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.  https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.GlossaryofTechnicalTerms</ref> This effect is characterized by the individual feeling as if they are in a fog, dream, bubble, or something watched through a screen,<ref name="Espiard2005">Espiard, M. L., Lecardeur, L., Abadie, P., Halbecq, I., & Dollfus, S. (2005). Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder after psilocybin consumption: a case study. European Psychiatry, 20(5), 458-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2005.04.008</ref> like a film or video game.<ref name=":0">American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.), 302-306. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm08</ref> These feelings instill the person with a sensation of alienation and distance from those around them.


Depersonalization is not an inherently negative altered state of awareness, as it does not directly affect one's emotions or thought patterns. However, derealization can sometimes be distressing to the user, who may become disoriented by the loss of the innate sense that their external environment is genuinely real. This loss of the sense that the external world is real can in some cases make interacting with it feel inherently inauthentic and pointless.  
Derealization can be distressing to the user, who may become disoriented by the loss of the innate sense that their external environment is genuinely real. The loss of the sense that the external world is real can make it feel inherently artificial and lifeless.<ref name=":0" />


This state of mind is commonly associated with and often coincides with the very similar psychological state known as [[depersonalization]]. While derealization is a perception of the unreality of the outside world, depersonalization is a subjective experience of unreality in one's sense of self.  
This state of mind is commonly associated with and often coincides with [[depersonalization]]. While derealization is a perception of the unreality of the outside world, depersonalization is a subjective experience of unreality in one's sense of self.  


Derealization is often accompanied by other coinciding effects such as [[anxiety]] and [[depersonalization]].<ref name="Espiard2005"/> It is most commonly induced under the influence of [[dosage#common|moderate]] [[dosage|dosages]] of [[dissociative]] compounds, such as [[ketamine]], [[PCP]], and [[DXM]]. However, it can also occur to a lesser extent during the [[withdrawal]] symptoms of [[stimulant|stimulants]] and [[depressant|depressants]].</onlyinclude>
Derealization is often accompanied by various perceptual distortions such as [[acuity suppression]], [[acuity enhancement]], and [[Perspective distortion|perspective distortions]].<ref name=":0" /> Other coinciding effects include [[Auditory distortion|auditory distortions]] and [[depersonalization]].<ref name="Espiard2005" /><ref name=":0" /> This effect is most commonly induced under the influence of [[dosage#common|moderate]] [[dosage|dosages]] of [[dissociative]] compounds, such as [[ketamine]], [[PCP]], and [[DXM]]. However, it can also occur to a lesser extent during the [[withdrawal]] symptoms of [[stimulant|stimulants]] and [[depressant|depressants]].</onlyinclude>
===Analysis===
===Analysis===
In psychology, chronic derealization that persists during sobriety for prolonged periods of time, is not attributable to another disorder and is distressful to the person, is identified as "derealization disorder", classified by the DSM-IV as a dissociative disorder. While degrees of derealization are common and can happen temporarily to anyone who is subject to an anxiety or stress-provoking situation, chronic derealization is more common within individuals who have experienced a severe trauma or prolonged stress and anxiety. The symptoms of both chronic derealization and depersonalization are common within the general population, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 26-74% and 31–66% at the time of a traumatic event.<ref>Hunter, E. C., Sierra, M., & David, A. S. (2004). The epidemiology of depersonalisation and derealisation. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 39(1), 9-18. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0701-4</ref>  
In psychiatry, chronic derealization that arises during sobriety is identified as "Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder" and is classified by the DSM5 as a dissociative disorder.<ref name=":0" />


It has been demonstrated that derealization may be caused by a dysfunction within the brains visual processing center (occipital lobe) or the temporal lobe, which is used for processing the meaning of sensory input, language comprehension, and emotion association.<ref>Sierra, M., Lopera, F., Lambert, M. V., Phillips, M. L., & David, A. S. (2002). Separating depersonalisation and derealisation: the relevance of the “lesion method”. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 72(4), 530-532. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.72.4.530</ref>
Temporary derealization symptoms lasting hours to days are common in the general population. Approximately one-half of all adults have experienced at least one episode of depersonalization/derealization within their lifetime, and the gender ratio for the disorder is 1:1.<ref name=":0" /> Chronic derealization is more common within individuals who have experienced a severe trauma or prolonged stress and anxiety. The symptoms of both chronic derealization and depersonalization are common within the general population, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 26-74% and 31–66% at the time of a traumatic event.<ref>Hunter, E. C., Sierra, M., & David, A. S. (2004). The epidemiology of depersonalisation and derealisation. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 39(1), 9-18. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0701-4</ref>
 
This effect is a type of cognitive and perceptual dysregulation.<ref name="DSM5Glossary" /> It has been demonstrated that derealization may be caused by a dysfunction within the brains visual processing center (occipital lobe) or the temporal lobe, which is used for processing the meaning of sensory input, language comprehension, and emotion association.<ref>Sierra, M., Lopera, F., Lambert, M. V., Phillips, M. L., & David, A. S. (2002). Separating depersonalisation and derealisation: the relevance of the “lesion method”. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 72(4), 530-532. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.72.4.530</ref>  
===Psychoactive substances===
===Psychoactive substances===
Compounds within our [[psychoactive substance index]] which may cause this effect include:
Compounds within our [[psychoactive substance index]] which may cause this effect include:
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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derealization Derealization (Wikipedia)]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derealization Derealization (Wikipedia)]
===References===
===References===
<references/>
<references />
[[Category:Cognitive]] [[Category:Psychological]] [[Category:Effect]]
[[Category:Cognitive]]  
[[Category:Psychological]]  
[[Category:Effect]]

Revision as of 22:42, 4 February 2019

An artistic replication of what it feels like to experience watching the world through a screen.

Derealization or derealisation (sometimes abbreviated as DR) is medically recognized as the experience of feeling detached from, and as if one is an outside observer of, one's surroundings.[1] This effect is characterized by the individual feeling as if they are in a fog, dream, bubble, or something watched through a screen,[2] like a film or video game.[3] These feelings instill the person with a sensation of alienation and distance from those around them.

Derealization can be distressing to the user, who may become disoriented by the loss of the innate sense that their external environment is genuinely real. The loss of the sense that the external world is real can make it feel inherently artificial and lifeless.[3]

This state of mind is commonly associated with and often coincides with depersonalization. While derealization is a perception of the unreality of the outside world, depersonalization is a subjective experience of unreality in one's sense of self.

Derealization is often accompanied by various perceptual distortions such as acuity suppression, acuity enhancement, and perspective distortions.[3] Other coinciding effects include auditory distortions and depersonalization.[2][3] This effect is most commonly induced under the influence of moderate dosages of dissociative compounds, such as ketamine, PCP, and DXM. However, it can also occur to a lesser extent during the withdrawal symptoms of stimulants and depressants.

Analysis

In psychiatry, chronic derealization that arises during sobriety is identified as "Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder" and is classified by the DSM5 as a dissociative disorder.[3]

Temporary derealization symptoms lasting hours to days are common in the general population. Approximately one-half of all adults have experienced at least one episode of depersonalization/derealization within their lifetime, and the gender ratio for the disorder is 1:1.[3] Chronic derealization is more common within individuals who have experienced a severe trauma or prolonged stress and anxiety. The symptoms of both chronic derealization and depersonalization are common within the general population, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 26-74% and 31–66% at the time of a traumatic event.[4]

This effect is a type of cognitive and perceptual dysregulation.[1] It has been demonstrated that derealization may be caused by a dysfunction within the brains visual processing center (occipital lobe) or the temporal lobe, which is used for processing the meaning of sensory input, language comprehension, and emotion association.[5]

Psychoactive substances

Compounds within our psychoactive substance index which may cause this effect include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.), 818-20. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.GlossaryofTechnicalTerms
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Espiard, M. L., Lecardeur, L., Abadie, P., Halbecq, I., & Dollfus, S. (2005). Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder after psilocybin consumption: a case study. European Psychiatry, 20(5), 458-460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2005.04.008
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.), 302-306. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm08
  4. ↑ Hunter, E. C., Sierra, M., & David, A. S. (2004). The epidemiology of depersonalisation and derealisation. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 39(1), 9-18. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-004-0701-4
  5. ↑ Sierra, M., Lopera, F., Lambert, M. V., Phillips, M. L., & David, A. S. (2002). Separating depersonalisation and derealisation: the relevance of the “lesion method”. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 72(4), 530-532. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.72.4.530
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