Depersonalization disorder is a dissociative disorder in which the individual experiences a loss of identity or self. Most of the individuals affected by this disorder feel that they have changed all of a sudden or that their bodies have become different. They feel and act like other individuals and often believe that their physicality has either become rather bizarre or attractive. This disorder largely affects teenagers or youngsters and is often accompanied by derealization that is strongly marked by a perception of the outside world as being indistinct in a number of ways. These individuals often feel that everything around them is wavering and blatant in existence.

These altered states are known as out of body experiences and these individuals feel that they are suspended above the physical realms of their bodies and observing all that is going on beneath. Gentle forms of such experiences are quite common and are no cause for concern, however, in certain cases of out of body experiences which include people visiting other planets, solar systems, friends and relatives in other cities can become extremely traumatic. Depersonalization disorder often develops in individuals following acute stress which is the outcome of a contagious illness, accident or any other traumatic event.

Causes of depersonalization Disorders:

Childhood abuse: It is widely held that depersonalization disorder is the outcome of a child’s efforts to deal with a devastating sense of despondency and helplessness when undergoing repeated and distressing abuse. This disorder develops as a defense mechanism when the child is unable to escape from such traumatic incidents and in the process creates certain stable internal personalities that are always available for security, attachment and protection.

Childhood neglect: This is a variant form of childhood trauma in which the child is not physically or sexually abused so much as left to his/her own devices, perhaps being locked in closets or basements

Comorbidity with other disorders:

Depersonalization disorder may occur simultaneously with various other disorders such as avoidant personality disorder, borderline personality disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. This disorder does not respond well to treatment and high levels of depersonalization occur in individuals who are unstable, vulnerable and have a number of other problems.