Depersonalization and Derealization dpdr are not difficult to overcome IF you approach them correctly.
First of all, let’s define each of them:
Depersonalization is when you feel “unreal,” “detached,” or “disconnected.” It is often referred to as “Brain Fog.”
Derealization is when your surroundings feel and look “unfamiliar, “off” and “different” than usual.
Naturally, experiencing either of these sensations can be upsetting and even alarming to many people. Let’s find out the truth about both these conditions.
Neither Depersonalization and/or Derealization is an illness. Both are a learned behavior and a product of the habit of constant, fearful worrying. The body is releasing adrenaline in response to your fearful thinking. Eventually, one feels depleted and fatigued from overthinking issues in a constant pattern.
The mind becomes very tired, not from lack of sleep but from thinking deeply and fearfully, from the time one arises in the morning, until they go to sleep at night. In essence the person is studying themselves all day long, just as if they were studying for a test. We all know how exhausting this can be and so it makes sense and is very logical that a tired mind can and does develop from constant, deep and most of all, fearful thinking. This is where it differs from studying. The element of fear makes all the difference. This is what exhausts the mind in a much different way.
How to Recover from DPDR:
– Recognize what you are doing to fuel the sensations of a tired mind, the spacey, foggy, detached sensations that make you feel unreal. Begin with “what if” thinking from the time you open your eyes in the morning, until you go to sleep at night. Catch this habit, catch this worried, fearful way of thinking and STOP immediately.
– Tell yourself that every moment you are NOT going inward and checking in, your mind is refreshing. It is rejuvenating because you are not fueling it with fear.
– Start doing things that interest you but leave the worried, fearful mind behind. Go for a walk. Activity (especially outdoors) focuses your mind on its surroundings. If, you begin to think “what if” thoughts STOP, correct yourself by talking back to the brain, saying “Uh-Uh, I’m not going there!” AND MEAN IT. You may have to do this a few times in order to make the correction but the mind is almost embarrassed that you caught it, like a child with his hand in the cookie jar, and it will stop this habit of fearful thinking.
– Shift your thoughts into subjects more pleasant and focus on your surroundings. The coolness of the air, the colors of the grass and trees, the ground under your feet and know that any thought that disrupts your thinking can be easily dealt with because you know what to do now.
– Start having a lean protein with every meal and snack to ensure balanced blood sugar levels. They drop when worry establishes itself over peace and calm. Also, protein will later boost Serotonin (the feel good chemical) levels, that are also prone to drop when constantly worrying.
Remember, this is NOT an illness. This is a learned behavior that you can easily unlearn. Checking in might be a problem now because it became a learned behavior but think of yourself as a twelve year old. Did you ever check in? No, not at all. This is why your mind remained clear. Now it’s time to reclaim that clarity…notice the habit of checking in and interrupt it immediately.
For more information or any questions about DPDR, feel free to email us or give us a call.
Sincerely,
Ronnie Freedman, PhD
drfreedman@depersonalizationtreatmentcenter.com
https://www.depersonalizationtreatmentcenter.com
215-635-4700, 7 Days a Week, 9-9, We’re here to answer all your questions
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