Why People Detach From Reality | 10 Questions

Depersonalization Derealization aka DP/DR is a dissociative disorder in which a person feels detached from their body and their surroundings. For mental health awareness month, VICE talks to Justin Brown, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, who explains this little-known disorder and what living with DPDR can feel like for people experiencing this condition.

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[Rakemmy]

The disorder reminds me of how I used to cope with my anxiety in middle school. Although I didn't realize it, I was a maladaptive daydreamer. The dreams were my escape and I found myself eager to go back to them as soon as I had even the tiniest bit of free time.

[Gamayun.]

If you're isolated and don't really have people to talk to, I can't tell you how much it helps to go for walks outside and get even just light exercise. Just getting out of your house or workplace helps make you feel like you aren't trapped in a box in an endless cycle

[darsh]

I suffered from derealization after high school it’s really just a coping mechanism from something that’s truly out of your control. Always remember it’s a form of anxiety and not to fight ur intrusive thoughts face dem!

[xosusy]

Wow. I suffer w this and stopped living like 8 years ago. Lost all my early twenties and had to drop out of college, have no friends. Got diagnosed but never offered help. Just this year I forced myself to go out, work and start socializing again (It's been hard 😅). It's really comforting to see other people in the comments who have this. Because online there's not much help information on it that I've been able to find. Thanks Vice. 🙏🏼

[Jimmyhickey]

Man these disorders are so hard to explain to someone who hasnt experienced them. The problem is, when trying to describe depersonalization people will immediately assume they have experienced it because they have felt those things on an emotional level. Everyone has felt disconnected or zoned out or whatever. But depersonalization is an experience akin to taking psychedelic drugs, its a physical experience that completely distracts you from functioning properly. And its not a choice or something can be controlled especially after the episode has started. Its like a roller coaster you just have to ride it out and wait at least a few hours for your experience of reality to come back.

[osso]

I personally have suffered from almost constant derealization for the last 6 years and I've finally decided to find treatment 3 days ago. It's nice to see a video like this

[JenCool]

after being in therapy for years, my derealization and disassociation dropped off dramatically! you are not hopeless, you can find zest for life!

[khalilahd.]

After reading the comments I’m so sadden right hear how many people relate to this. I’m wishing for nothing but continued healing for them and others who relate 🙏🏽💛

[Bearorgan]

I've suffered from disassociation for about 8 - 9 years. now I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. It took years to figure out what was happening during these panic attacks, luckily I found a great therapist thats made things better. but hearing that this will never completely go away is very disheartening.

[stickinug]

An abusive relationship made my brain really good at dissociating. I got out of the relationship about 5 years ago but dissociation just happens now without any conscious thought or effort on my part. It's hard to get through life like this. I'd much rather feel fight or flight rather than immediately freeze and go into another dimension when I'm faced with stress.

[janelarson]

Super grateful for this little video. I've had DPDR for over 10 years, I've never been taken seriously by a clinician, and had to learn to manage it on my own. Thanks for spreading awareness VICE!

[bethmoore]

Trauma is a powerful driver of dissociation, and I’ve even had dissociative amnesia, remembering before and after a traumatic event, but not the event itself. I first knew about this happening, as my mother was witness to it, both the event, and my complete lack of recall of it.

This has always made me wonder what else I don’t remember. I’ve been called “ditzy” & “space cadet”, and when I moved into my college dorm after 18 years of almost continuous trauma, gossip went around that I was “on drugs”. This was in the 70s, in the South, so the rumor did not help my social life. And my brothers say that, “And She Was”, by the Talking Heads, is my song.

I would think dissociation would be a part of most peoples trauma response. I’ve actually seen it in people after natural disasters, or violent events. I know the look. I’ve seen it in the mirror all my life.

I think trauma conditions are an unseen epidemic in this country. I know that all that was left after the Plague in 1347 were orphans and madmen. And mad women, as well. It explains a lot about European history following the 14th century. I wish we could address these issues, and take care of people. We are all here to help one another.*

*And Ayn Rand can just bite me.

[skuzzo]

never seen depersonalization talked about in the media, been watching my life thru the tv screen for 5 years now and it’s cool to see someone shed light on it.

[major]

I have been waiting for a video like this. I have had Depersonalization since I was 12 years old and has destroyed my life. Thank you for this. I hope more research is put into this because doctors and people close to me shrugged it off or completely rejected it existed.

[Rasmus]

I’ve been dealing with this for 3 years now.

I don’t feel it a lot anymore, sometimes I do. All I can say is, you have to stay strong and try to not be scared of it (it’s hard af I know)

Just remember to get sleep, stay active and be open about it to your closest people. Talking about it helped me so much

[bushpilotfritz]

I've personally found that it gets caused by a lack of sleep. And constant, low grade, inevitable stress. I've dealt with this since about midway through the second lockdown. Knowing that you should be feeling something very strong and not being able to find anything within yourself is absolutely devastating. I know he said that there's a low chance of getting rid of it entirely, but I absolutely refuse to live with this the rest of my life. Seeing something like this gives people a lot of hope.

[alfredpiper]

As a person who was diagnosed with this a few years ago I really appreciate the coverage and the clear explanations for others to understand it. A great, short and easy to digest video. Cheers guys

[fiercevfx]

This is EXACTLY what I had gone through during highschool. For me, I smoked way too much weed and developed a more heighten anxiety/panic attacks throughout the year. Derealization really kicked after that week, and let me tell you. It sucked.

I tried explaining my symptoms to my counselor at the school that I felt as if "I'm a third person playing GTA" and the look she gave me... this topic needs more awareness. It is real.

It's been 5 years since it happened, and I look back to be grateful. THC has shown me that I do have anxiety (i used to ignore it) and through meditations/deep breathings I understand how to cope or use methods for when I am stressed! Depersonalization/anxiety has vanished after meditating/wim hof breathing/cold showers daily :)

Vice, thank you.

[sharmoutha]

Went to ER during my first episode of derealization thinking I was becoming schizophrenic. Doc told me it was anxiety and before that I didnt even know what anxiety truly was.

[acksha]

This is me. I’ve been really stressed out of my mind the last cpl years. My family has suffered a lot of losses and I’m caring for a parent. I feel so disconnected sometimes. I thought I was losing my mind.