Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
The distance between you and yourself: understanding depersonalisation disorder
Premium

The distance between you and yourself: understanding depersonalisation disorder Premium

The Hindu
Friday, January 10, 2025 10:38 AM GMT

Imagine waking up one morning to find the world around you feel unreal. Your hands move, but they don’t feel like yours. The sounds of daily life seem distant, as if coming from another room, even another world. The world, once vivid and textured, appears distant and dreamlike. For many with a particular mental health condition, this isn’t just an abstract idea — it’s their reality.

Imagine waking up one morning to find the world around you feel unreal. Your hands move, but they don’t feel like yours. The sounds of daily life seem distant, as if coming from another room, even another world. The world, once vivid and textured, appears distant and dreamlike. For many with a particular mental health condition, this isn’t just an abstract idea — it’s their reality.

Depersonalisation and derealisation disorder (DPDR) is a mental health condition where individuals experience persistent feelings of detachment from themselves or their surroundings. DPDR often emerges during periods of acute stress, trauma, or anxiety, says Thomas John, a psychiatrist in Kochi. “Individuals with DPDR often describe feeling as if they are watching themselves from outside their body. There is a sense of estrangement from one’s thoughts, and the surrounding environment may appear distorted or unfamiliar,” he says.

Although fleeting sensations of depersonalisation are not uncommon — many people experience a sense of disconnect after long or stressful days — persistent symptoms that interfere with daily life indicate a deeper concern. The disorder is estimated to affect 1 to 2% of the population, predominantly youngsters.

According to U. Vivek, consultant psychiatrist, Renai Medicity, Kochi, DPDR rarely occurs in isolation. “The condition is just the tip of the iceberg. It often signals an underlying mental health condition, such as depression, borderline personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. DPDR can also be triggered due to severe stress, trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, and substance use. The disorder is a symptom, not a standalone diagnosis,” he adds.

Dr. Vivek recalls a case of a young woman who reported feeling increasingly disconnected from herself over time. “She described looking in the mirror and feeling as though she was seeing a stranger. On the surface, her life appeared stable — she had a steady marriage and a comfortable home. However, familial tensions, particularly with her in-laws, created an undercurrent of stress. During arguments, her symptoms worsened. Medication and behavioural management helped her understand how unresolved emotional conflict contributed to her condition,” says Dr. Vivek.

In another case, a teenage girl sought help for persistent feelings of detachment. Later, it emerged that she had been silently enduring sexual abuse. “Her mind had created a psychological barrier as a means of coping with trauma,” says Dr. Vivek. “Dissociation became her refuge, but with careful intervention, she began to reconnect with herself and the world around her.”

Neuroscientific research attributes DPDR to disruptions in brain regions responsible for emotional regulation and sensory perception, including the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. These areas govern how we process stress and interpret reality.

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Imbibe the spirit of ‘P4’ and serve the needy: Collector Lakshmisha

Government initiative 'P4' encourages affluent to support economically disadvantaged families, bridging socio-economic gap through scholarships and mentorship.

Mumbai advocate moves Supreme Court against Raj Thackeray over ‘anti-Hindi’ remarks

PIL seeks criminal action against MNS chief Raj Thackeray for inciting violence and linguistic hatred in Maharashtra.

Tamil Nadu prepares panel to appoint the next Director-General of Police

Tamil Nadu government to send a list of eligible officers to UPSC for appointment of the next DGP

Kindergarten students oriented on safety on board train by Railway Police

Kindergarten students oriented on safety on board train by Railway Police

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu to visit Tirupati on July 19

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's visit to Tirupati focuses on sanitation, temple visit, and public interaction.

30th graduation day held at Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College

Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College's 30th graduation day in Madurai celebrated academic achievements and advised graduates on future success.

Flooded flyovers, choked roads: Traffic police change gears on monsoon strategy

rainfall in hyderabad, traffic stalled

Maharashtra excise department lapses caused revenue loss of several crore rupees: CAG

CAG report exposes Maharashtra State excise department's operational lapses leading to significant revenue shortfalls and losses.

From unniyappam to premium Cafe Kudumbashree, a story of culinary success

Shareefa Kalathingal's journey from selling 10 packets of unniyappam to owning Cafe Kudumbashree is a tale of resilience and success.

CPI MP seeks NIA probe into Dharmasthala ‘crimes’

Rajya Sabha member urges NIA probe into alleged crimes targeting women in Dharmasthala, Karnataka, citing systematic violence and administrative silence.

Blame game between HYDRAA, residents as inundation continues

Blame game between HYDRAA, residents as inundation continues

Auroville researchers aim to ignite global interest in traditional mathematics education at Seoul meet

Auroville research team presents Indian mathematics pedagogy findings at international conference, aiming to revolutionize global math education.

Suspended IFoS officer offers apology; Minister orders his suspension to be revoked

Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officer R. Gokul, who was suspended by the State government in connection with a case filed in the Supreme Court seeking permission to denotify 443 acres of HMT forest land, besides writing a letter to the CBI, has reportedly admitted to his mistake and submitted an unconditional apology.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Integrated bus terminal at Karikkamuri in Kochi runs into rough weather

Construction of ₹12-crore bus terminal in Kochi faces delays due to land swap issues, prompting alternative steel structure proposal.

Delhi High Court asks authorities to decide former NIA judge's plea for arms licence

Delhi High Court to decide on former NIA judge's plea for arms licence, citing personal security concerns.

Tejashwi seeks support from Opposition and ruling parties over SIR in Bihar

Tejashwi Yadav seeks support against disenfranchisement in Bihar, writes to 35 leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Nitish Kumar.

Chief Minister Stalin, his Cabinet colleagues focused on their own welfare: Palaniswami

AIADMK's Edappadi K. Palaniswami accuses Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of focusing on self-interest and neglecting public welfare.

Southern Railway plans to convert Tiruvannamalai railway station into PFTR terminal

Southern Railway plans to convert Tiruvannamalai station into a PFTR terminal for safety checks and improved passenger amenities.

AIADMK assails Congress, allies for bringing in caste dimension to Cabinet shuffle

AIADMK secretary criticizes Congress for caste-based politics, plans to petition Election Commission on CPI(M) expenditure in Tamil Nadu.

Crowd chase Cantonment MLA in a road rage incident

MLA Sri Ganesh Narayanan's convoy allegedly attacked in road rage incident while heading to Bonalu celebration in Hyderabad.

INTUC asks Centre for invitation to tripartite meetings, blames Air India crash on privatisation

INTUC questions Centre's exclusion from tripartite panels, advocates workers' cooperatives, and criticizes privatization after Air India crash.

‘A useful tool’: annual share of abstentions in India’s U.N. votes at all-time high

India's U.N. voting strategy shifts towards more abstentions, fewer 'yes' votes, reflecting a polarised world and complex resolutions.

Andhra Pradesh set to depute native language speakers for Koya, Muria tribes along Sabari, Godavari rivers

Andhra Pradesh State Tribal Welfare Department appoints Koya language speakers in government primary schools along Sabari and Godavari rivers.

The Tamil Nadu police to roll out mobile application to collect mandatory audio-visual evidence

e-Sakshaya mobile app for police: Collect audio-visual evidence, upload photos, generate secure packets, strengthen evidence chain.

Indo-Israel training programme for farmers in Thally cancelled amid protest from CPI(M) and affiliate body

Indo-Israel farmer training programme in Thally cancelled due to CPI(M) protest over Israel's actions in Gaza.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us