Have you ever felt like you don’t know who you are anymore? Like your life has become a series of disconnected moments, and you’re just floating through them, wondering who it is that’s living the experience?
That’s what depersonalization is like. It’s when your sense of self gets lost somewhere in the haze of daily life, and all that’s left is someone who can’t remember what she used to be like or how she used to feel about things.
It’s hard to explain if you haven’t experienced it before—but we know what it feels like, and we want to help. We want you to remember what it’s like to be whole, to know that there’s something bigger than yourself out there and worth fighting for and striving for every day.
So here are several tips on how to stop depersonalization and regain your sense of self:
Understanding What Depersonalization Is
Depersonalization is a feeling of detachment from your body, emotions, and sense of self. It can be caused by traumatic events, drug use, stress, or mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Depersonalization can also make it difficult to feel empathy for other people.
Some people with depersonalization find it hard to remember certain parts of their lives–like conversations or experiences–and others notice that they feel like their emotions are muted or dulled. They might also feel like their perception of the world around them has changed in some way. For example, they may not be able to recognize faces as easily as before, or they may need help remembering what happened at work yesterday afternoon even though they were there all day long!
Know the Symptoms of Depersonalization
To understand and treat depersonalization, it’s essential to know the symptoms. The most common symptoms include:
1. Feeling Like an Outsider in One’s Own World
If you often feel like an outsider in your own life, or if you feel as though the world around you is something that happens to others but not to you, this may be a sign of depersonalization disorder. This is a mental illness where individuals begin disconnecting from their emotions, feelings, and experiences.
2. Feeling Like One is in a Dream-like State
If you feel like you’re in a dream-like state, you might be experiencing depersonalization. This feeling of unreality can include an inability to recognize your own thoughts and feelings, which can lead to a sense of detachment.
3. Feeling Like an Automaton or Robot Without Any Control Over Your Actions
Sometimes people with depersonalization disorder feel like they are just going through the motions, and since they aren’t really in control of their actions, they might as well not exist. This feeling of being “automatic” can make it hard for someone who’s experienced it to believe that they will ever be able to feel better.
4. Becoming Emotionally Numb or Detached
Emotional numbness can be a sign of depersonalization and the feeling of being “out of touch” with your emotions. This state can cause people to forget how they used to feel about things, and they may not recognize the feelings usually present in their lives: love, happiness, sadness, or anger. When this happens, it can make it hard for them to distinguish who they are and who someone else might think they are.
5. Losing Interest in Activities That You Once Enjoyed
If you find that you’re no longer interested in doing the things you once enjoyed, or if you feel as though there’s an emotional distance from the world that used to bring you joy, these changes could be signs of depersonalization.
6. A Sense of Unfamiliarity With Your Thoughts and Emotions
People who have experienced depersonalization often report that they don’t feel like their own thoughts or emotions belong to them. What’s more, some people also have trouble recognizing their own personality. Some individuals think they are just going through the motions and that since they aren’t really in control of their actions, they might as well not really exist.
Effective Ways to Stop Depersonalization and Regain Your Sense of Self
Now that you know what depersonalization is let’s talk about how to stop it. Here are some tips for dealing with your depersonalization symptoms.
1. Identify and Challenge Negative Thoughts
It may seem small, but identifying your negative thoughts can be a huge step in the right direction. If you need help remembering them, try writing down your ideas for a day or two. Then go back over them and look for any that indicate that you feel depersonalized or disconnected from yourself.
After you’ve identified those thoughts, it’s time to challenge them. You can ask yourself questions like: “Is there evidence that this thought is true?” or “Am I sure that my feelings are accurate?” Or even “What would someone else say about this situation?” In this way, you will be able to separate the facts from your feelings to get a more objective view of life’s events.
2. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a powerful tool to help you manage your thoughts and feelings in the present moment. Mindfulness has been shown to help people with anxiety, depression, and depersonalization disorder (DPD).
Practicing mindfulness involves staying present and not worrying about the past or the future. When you’re feeling depersonalized, this can be challenging. You’ll want to think about why you feel this way, how long it’s been going on, what brought it on—and what will stop it from happening again. But focusing on these questions won’t help you feel better in the moment; instead, they might make things worse because they bring up more negative emotions like anxiety and fear.
Focus on something else in your environment or on your breathing instead of ruminating on all those questions. This can help remove your mind from whatever is causing DPD symptoms so that they fade away naturally without additional effort (or medication).
3. Listen to Music
Listening to music is one of the most effective ways to stop depersonalization and regain your sense of self.
Music can transport us to new places, allowing us to escape from our current reality and thoughts. It can also be a form of meditation, allowing us to focus on the present moment and nothing else.
This can be especially beneficial when you’re feeling like your thoughts are spinning out of control, as it can help give your mind a break from the constant activity that’s going on in your brain.
4. Engage in Social Activities
Whether you’re suffering from depersonalization or want to avoid it, the best thing you can do is engage in social activities.
This is because social connections are necessary for self-definition. They help you understand who you are and your values by providing an objective perspective on your behavior and beliefs.
If you’re feeling detached from yourself and your surroundings, try meeting with friends or family or volunteering at a local nonprofit organization. You’ll be surprised at how much this can help!
5. Read a Book
By reading, you can take a break from the demands of daily life and enjoy some quiet time. Reading helps people feel less stressed, anxious, or depressed because it will enable them to escape reality entirely and focus on something else.
Choose a book with a strong narrative and characters that feel like real people rather than just a situation description. This will help you feel more connected to the story, which can immensely impact your state of mind.
6. Create a Healthy Lifestyle
Creating a healthy lifestyle means eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Getting in touch with your emotions will be easier if you feel grounded in your body, thus allowing them to guide you.
It’s also essential to avoid substances known to create symptoms of depersonalization, such as alcohol and drugs. Although these substances may seem to help at first, they can quickly spiral out of control and make you feel even worse.
7. Seek Professional Help If Necessary
In some cases, depersonalization can become a severe mental health problem that requires professional help. If you are experiencing a level of depersonalization that you find difficult to cope with and is interfering with your daily life, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Although depersonalization can be unpleasant, you mustn’t ignore it if you’re experiencing it. Failure to seek help can exacerbate your symptoms, increase your anxiety and cause more problems in the future.
Conclusion
Depersonalization is a challenging mental health disorder that affects everyone differently and will likely require a custom treatment plan. Don’t let it disrupt your life or keep you from doing what you love.
With Hanei Health Solution, you can rest assured knowing that you have access to the most effective treatment for depersonalization. Our online program uses psychological techniques and mindfulness to break the habit of DPD and reclaim your emotions so that you can regain control of your life.
For more information about mental illness, contact us today!
