When Nothing Feels Real: A Journey Into the Mystery Illness of Depersonalisation

by Nathan Dunne

An enthralling quest to solve the mystery of depersonalisation, one of the least understood but increasingly diagnosed mental illnesses.

Journalist Nathan Dunne was living the life of his dreams in London until, one evening, he jumped into a lake for a swim. When he emerged, his identity was simply gone. He felt completely lost and in acute, inexplicable pain. He knew who he was supposed to be but had no connection to the person named Nathan. His memories were distant and separate, not his. Everything was unfamiliar. All he felt was terror.

This was the beginning of his experience with depersonalisation, a little-understood and on-the-rise mystery mental illness that causes a person to dissociate from their body and thoughts. It can be chronic and severe but it can also be more everyday and symptoms include feeling overwhelmed, withdrawing from family and friends, experiencing negative thoughts, being unable to concentrate or perform routine tasks, or feeling outside of yourself.

When Nothing Feels Real is Nathan's quest to find his way through to the other side from the terrifying onset of his illness, the years of misdiagnosis and his long search for an answer and a cure. In the vein of Lost Connections and The Woman Who Changed Her Brain, he expertly weaves in neuroscience, patient experiences and interviews with leading doctors in the field, using himself as a guide to courageously explore the personal, medical, psychological and philosophical issues raised by depersonalisation.

A compelling, deeply personal account, When Nothing Feels Real shines a light on this growing mental illness, helping other sufferers feel more informed and less alone.

'This book broke my heart but also gave me hope. There is so much yearning here, so much longing to live and to love and to be whole again. This is a brave and beautiful book.'
Mira Bartok, author of The Memory A Memoir

'This book is a vital and timely exploration of a poorly understood and devastating mental illness, and a powerful meditation on the fragility and resilience of selfhood. It will resonate profoundly with all those who question what it means to be ourselves, and what it is to be human.'
Elinor Cleghorn, author of Unwell Women

'When Nothing Feels Real took a lot of courage to write. It captures the pain and mystery of depersonalisation as well as its art and science.'
Professor Anthony David, Neuropsychiatrist and Director of the UCL Institute of Mental Health

'Nathan Dunne is a writer of such touching sympathies and affinities and generosity and pure gifts of language and mastery of both echoes internal and in the air.'
Cynthia Ozick, author of The Puttermesser Papers and Antiquities

'Dunne's writing is extraordinary, original and rewarding.'
Robert Cottrell, BBC Culture

'Jeepers! That's some illness.'
Peter Goldsworthy

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Mental Health, Psychology

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Nathan Dunne was born in Brisbane, Australia and grew up in India. After graduating from the University of Sydney with the University Medal, he studied art history at Cambridge University and received a PhD from Birkbeck College, University of London. He has lectured at Harvard and Yale, and also worked for several years at Tate Modern. As a journalist and critic, he has contributed to many publications, including The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, Slate and Artforum.

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

People carry the most fascinating experiences, and when those are shared with honesty and courage, they become gifts. A stunning debut from Nathan, packed with deeply personal, intense moments—harrowing in their seriousness, yet buoyed by flickers of hope and resilience.

I don’t often make the trip into the city for book events. Living and working full time in one of Sydney’s outermost regions doesn’t make it easy (my IRL bookish interactions are few and far between!), but I’m genuinely glad I heard Nathan speak at his launch. The crowd was absolutely captivated as he spoke about his journey—a story not easily distilled in front of a room full of strangers—but he carried it with gentle grace and remarkable openness.

The way depersonalisation disrupts a life—and the chain reaction it triggers—is deeply unsettling, and this book doesn’t shy away from that reality. Weaving in rigorous research and first hand interviews with sufferers of this little-known illness, it becomes more than memoir—it’s a resource, a reckoning, and a bridge toward understanding.

This book has the power to help not only individuals facing depersonalisation, but also the health care professionals who support them. Nathan, thank you for your vulnerability, your eloquence, and your refusal to look away.

I love the ending to this story, and the continual fight to keep on.

With my sincere thanks to the author, and publicist Sue at Murdoch Books for my signed copy to read and review. It really was lovely meeting both at the book launch at Gleebooks, and to hear some of the words in person that formed When Nothing Feels Real.

[Emma Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

'My hands were those of a ghost. They were not my own.'

We often talk about how important it is to (metaphorically) walk in someone else's shoes, but what happens to your sense of self when you can't walk in your own? This is journalist Nathan Dunne's account of his experiences with depersonalisation, a form of mental illness that, despite not being well understood, is on the rise (due to a number of factors that Dunne explores in one of the later chapters).

-- What's it about? --

After a dip in a lake, Dunne experienced a sudden and powerful dissociation that quickly resulted in the first of many hospital visits. Despite being an intelligent man living in a country that spoke his native tongue, Dunne found himself facing a language barrier: unable to convey the full horror of his depersonalisation, he was treated for depression, a misdiagnosis that he soon rejected but which couldn't be replaced with an answer.

Described as, 'A journey into the mystery illness of depersonalisation', Dunne's memoir is at once deeply personal and lightly scientific, exploring the 'personal, medical, psychological and philosophical issues' raised by his condition and referring to both other sufferers' anecdotal experiences and medical research.

-- What's it like? --

I found this a challenging read, especially initially, as I have no personal experience of dissociating from myself and so Dunne's opening account of his initial onset was confusing and alien. I found later chapters, which focused more on the wider issues, easier to comprehend, but feel the difficulty I experienced is actually another example of Dunne's point: it is hard to convey such a cataclysmic fracture of the self in everyday words.

Dunne has, unsurprisingly, spent a lot of time researching depersonalisation and, for me, the most interesting parts of the book were where he discussed potential triggers for onset and why these are on the rise.

-- Final thoughts --

This was a genuinely interesting account of a condition that I had not previously heard about. Loosely chronologically organised chapters stray from the personal to the medical and back again, encompassing personal set backs and Dunne's own therapy programme alongside more abstract discussion of treatment methods. When under particular stress, Dunne's narrative voice fractures and spools for lengthy paragraphs, effectively highlighting his loss of control or his frustration.

Ultimately, although there is no final cure for depersonalisation, this is a story of hope, completed by a writer who now understands himself and his illness and seeks to help his fellow sufferers feel less alone.

Many thanks to the publisher and Anne Cater’s Random Things Tours for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and a spot on the blog tour.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Nathan and Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Depersonalisation is a condition where one feels disconnected from their body, their feelings and their environment.
It can feel like they are observing themselves from a distance.
A vivid and informative account of how this condition transformed and traumatised one person is such an eye opener.
Nathan was living in London as a young student and was dating his girlfriend Maria.
Heading home they were compelled to go for a swim in a pond at the park they walked through.
Spontaneous joy and tenderness was overtaken by a darkness that was a triggered.
Nathan was not himself, a sensation and fear loomed as he did not recognise himself.
A platter of emotions now ruled his life that created an erosion of confidence, stability and confusion.
A medical journey to navigate how best to treat and live with how he was feeling was tedious and exhausting.
Stumbling across the right specialist helped him tackle and respond to this challenge.
Absorbing new knowledge is a perk to an avid reader and I must say I was ignorant to Depersonalisation.
The anecdotes, the facts, ways to treat and minimise the torments and glimmers of hope made this a very interesting read for me.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating and very moving read about Nathan’s life with depersonalisation,how it started,how his life changed,not just slightly but horrifically and how he tried to cope with it,get a meaningful and correct diagnosis and how he has tried to live with this illness that invaded his body and mind

We see how the illness is viewed by others especially Dr’s and how little is known about it and how the onus is on the patient to ‘get better’ with often little or no help,was interesting to read excerpts from other sufferers and also medical text,reports and studies on the subject

Nathan has been through so much,most of us can only imagine how much although reports suggest it is a much more common problem than is realised or maybe even admitted,I found his story while at times upsetting also courageous and I hope writing this book so others can see his journey has been helpful to him

A life changing event out of the blue,mere seconds that took Nathan on a long journey he had not packed or prepared for,as say a fascinating read….

[Phoebe Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about depersonalisation, but is so much more than that! It’s about finding oneself when all feels lost, about love (in its many forms- mother to son, family ties and legacy, friendship, of life, and of connection to the self). I finished Nathan’s book quickly, and was so moved by his story (there were tears shed). As a therapist/writer with my own mental health struggles (and having written about the search for love), I related to Nathan’s vulnerability, and longing for love- his honesty is so brave. About his loss, loneliness, illness. His both wanting to fight and give up all at once.

I also learnt about depersonalisation and its identification and treatment. His coverage of the psychological literature illuminating. I didn’t find the work disjointed as other reviewers have mentioned- I truly valued the different perspectives offered- of patient, journalist, writer, researcher, artist, knowledge seeker, and the inclusion of the voices of other patients. I loved Nathan’s advocacy for more support in this space, and how he seamlessly blended science, knowledge, emotion, and storytelling.

I’m so glad this book is in the world- it is both realistic and hopeful. I commend Nathan, who has so much to be proud of- resilience, persistence, and his writing. The book will stay with me. My highest recommendation.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 – Thought-provoking but disjointed

When Nothing Feels Real by Nathan Dunne is a memoir that attempts to tackle the elusive and often misunderstood experience of depersonalisation. While there are moments of insight and emotional resonance, the structure and style of the book ultimately make it a challenging read.

One of the most frustrating aspects of the memoir is its choppy and disorienting flow. One moment, Dunne is recalling a memory and his fear of drowning in a pool at an after party, the next he’s on the phone with his mother on his birthday, and then suddenly he’s reflecting on foetuses or imagining babies suffocating at a house party while looking at baby photos, before abruptly pivoting to sightings of the Virgin Mary. These jarring transitions make it difficult to follow a coherent narrative arc. Memoirs typically stitch together significant life events to form a compelling story, but here it often feels like a stream-of-consciousness dump of disconnected memories, interspersed with occasional statistics or quotes about depersonalisation.

As someone who experiences depersonalisation personally, I was hoping for a deeper exploration of the illness such as its symptoms, sensations and most importantly, its treatment. Instead, I found myself flipping back and forth through the pages, wondering if I’d skipped something or missed a key link in the story. The writing style itself can feel incoherent at times, making it hard to engage with or draw practical insight from.

That said, there are glimpses of vulnerability and poetic expression that might resonate with readers familiar with dissociative conditions. Dunne’s rawness is admirable and there’s value in portraying how fractured and surreal the world can feel through the lens of mental illness. Unfortunately, the lack of narrative cohesion and clarity holds this memoir back from being the illuminating read I had hoped for.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

On a cold night in London, Nathan and Maria decide to go for a swim in a pond on Hampstead Heath. After diving in to the cold, cold water Nathan surfaces and has no idea what is happening to him. He seems to have split into two selves. He is experiencing terrible pain and it feels like a huge hand is pushing him down. This was Nathan’s first episode of what he eventually came to know as depersonalisation, an illness which was to plague him for years to come as he searched for treatment and, most importantly, recognition.

While Nathan is searching for information on his condition he undertakes an exhaustive study into people who are similarly afflicted. Although he writes about how badly he was affected he has a strong, attractive personality; from my reading, after his shocking introduction to depersonalisation he seems to have been able to function well enough to travel, form a strong, valuable friendship and complete his PHD while constantly researching the illness and trying to find someone who could treat it.

Nathan is obviously highly intelligent and very witty. I would like to quote a few lines when he is describing a person he believes did him a great wrong: “The dreams I had for my life were robbed, trampled on, ridiculed, and what’s more, the culprit had terrible eyebrows and a fake accent. But despite his parodic manner and arch douchiness , maybe it wasn’t his fault.”

Nathan includes a lot of data in this book. It is a deeply personal memoir of his investigations into the workings of his own brain and into the subject of depersonalisation which he is generously sharing with those who may not have heard of it, or who may want to know more about it or, indeed, who are suffering from this frightening and at times emotionally crippling condition.

Published by Murdoch Books, an imprint of Allen & Unwin

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really generous account of depersonalisation. An illness no experience with, and was coming at completely as a novice. I really felt the complete desperation Dunne experienced, this is really well done. The onset, the years of misdiagnoses and eventually the depersonalisation community. This memoir just feels so important and so well done. Hugest appreciation to Allen and Unwin for my arc, I feel honoured to have been given an early copy. Out June 3rd (so you don’t have to wait too long haha)

[Teo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very raw. Getting a look inside at the highs and honest lows of someone's journey is the type of vulnerability I seek, and Dunne does very much deliver. Chapter 9, which had a section about grief hit me HARD and was relatable even outside of a depersonalisation context. It ending on him admitting he is only 'partially recovered' is something else I really appreciate.

The writing at times did feel jarring in how it would segue from a personal experience to factual statistics and such on the disorder. Though not a big deal to me, it does come across as a bit abrupt. Dunne also emphasized the importance of community, which had me wondering whether he could've incorporated more stories from other people (he already did, but very briefly) to make this a more well-rounded resource for the disorder. Considering how little talk it gets as is, I wonder if that could be a whole other book itself.

[Aylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

من از وقتی که نوشته و شعر مکتوب دارم همیشه از یک حسی از واقعی نبودن می‌نوشتم؛ حتی اگر متوجه نبودم از چی می‌نویسم. موقع رانندگی نمی‌فهمم چطور به مقصد می‌رسم و بی‌احتیاط میشم. یادم میره بقیه میتونن من و ببینن و وقتی بقیه حضورم رو با یک نگاه یا استیتمنت تایید میکنن به هم میریزم. حس اینکه دو نفرم و در عین حال هیچکس نیستم. حس‌ عروسک‌ خیمه‌شب‌بازی بودن.

اولش که این کتاب رو شروع کردم، وحشت کردم. هر جمله‌ای که می‌خوندم -هرچند تجربه نویسنده به مراتب شدیدتر از تجربه‌ی من بوده- حس می‌کردم دیده میشم. حس می‌کردم تجارب من هرچند کمرنگ‌تر، معتبر شناخته میشن.
در عین حال واقعا ترسناک بود و هست که با طبیعت درونی افکار خودم آشنا بشم. توی کتاب نویسنده میگه٫ تشخیص بیماری، بزرگترین نفس راحتیه که می‌کشیم. خودش سالها توی کلینیک‌های مختلف پا میزاره و هربار به نظر میاد هیچکس نه گوش میکنه نه متوجهه.
و همینطور هم هست. وقتی بالاخره ریشه‌ی مشکل رو پیدا می‌کنی حداقل می‌تونی به ریشه‌کن کردنش فکر کنی به جای اینکه توی خلا با چشمای بسته دنبالش بگردی.
دیپرسونالیزیشن، یک dissociative state نسبتا پایدار و قویه که شما رو از لمس و تجربه‌ی واقعیت باز‌نگه‌می‌داره. برای برخی همیشه در پس‌زمینه‌ی ذهنشون وجود داره، برای خیلی‌ها بعد از مصرف مواد مخدر توهم‌زا به وجود میاد و یا بعد از وقوع یه حادثه‌ی تروماتیک.
اکثر اوقات با افسردگی یا باقی بیماری‌های روانی اشتباه گرفته میشه و در بی‌توجهی ممکنه علائم بیمار بدتر و بدتر بشه.
هرچقدر این حالت روانی پیشروی کنه تاثیر مستقیم و فیزیکی می‌گذاره تا جایی که فرد اونقدر از واقعیت دور میشه که با ریختن آب‌جوش روی دستش هم متوجه درد اون نیست.
یک کتاب همدلانه و در عین حال علمی که نوری میشه برای مشکلی که هنوز در اجتماع و یا حتی در عموم جامعه پزشکی به رسمیت شناخته نمیشه.

پ.ن: هرچند من علائم رو در خودم می‌‌دیدم برای خودتشخیصی دست نگه‌داشتم تا با تراپیستم مشورت کنم و پیشنهاد می‌کنم شما هم عجولانه روی خودتون یا بقیه لیبل نزنید.

[Bec Zhuang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very important and raw account of depersonalisation - an illness that I think is going to become a lot more prolific in the modern world. Dunne’s pain is palpable and he describes a state of existence that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. It’s remarkable that he was able to finish and publish this book. A big congrats :)

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan Dunne’s deeply personal debut memoir, When Nothing Feels Real, focuses on his experience of depersonalisation. It was not an illness I was unfamiliar with and I was intrigued to learn more.

In his book, Nathan describes the terrifying onset of symptoms and his battle to receive answers amid multiple misdiagnoses and misunderstanding from both the medical profession and people he was once close with. These personal anecdotes are interspersed with his findings from in-depth research into the condition as well as excerpts from others who have suffered with this horrific illness.

I was deeply invested in Nathan’s raw and honest account of his day to day life and his feelings during this confusing and often painful time. It was a moving story of grief, loss and pain as well as friendship and love, all told with an emotional but ultimately hopeful voice.

I was particularly fascinated with Nathan’s research into the triggers in other sufferers of this emerging mental illness, some of which included trauma, drug use, porn addiction and prolonged use of virtual reality. However, he was never able to pinpoint what the cause was for him. The frustration and loss of hope amongst the daily pain must have been almost unbearable.

Nathan has written an engaging account of his journey through depersonalisation which will hopefully help to inform others and shine a spotlight on a little known mental illness.

[Callie Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gripping memoir, structured from the event of depersonalisation that utterly changed Dunne's sense of self, career, and social life to a state of manageability. Like so many people who have life-altering health events, Dunne went from doctor to doctor, googling along the way, hoping for help and understanding, which he finally found. I was rooting for him the entire time. Anyone reading this book would build compassion and empathy for those suffering not just from depersonalisation, but from any life-changing or -diminishing event.

[Alex Soong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A candid and unvarnished account of an utterly baffling mental condition. There is no scientific or medical explanation for its sudden onset in the midst of the author's bit of high-spirited frolic: a frigid swim outdoors in the middle of winter with his girlfriend. He is hit by a tremendous force unknown to science that is like a Great Hand pressing him down and senses something separating from him. Nathan's life flips in that instant, becoming a testimony to how little doctors understand the disorder let alone possess the skills and means to diagnose or treat it effectively. The book's anatomical diagrams of brains do not help neither does the author's speculation that the illness results from an accumulation of minor stresses until something pushes one's mind over the edge, an explanation that could apply to everyone.

Despite the lack of solid ground, the author is not tempted to reach for metaphysical explanations in regard to his consciousness apparently split between two selves. The result is an unsentimental journey over gruelling years of floundering and wrongful diagnoses until he finds a doctor who could help somewhat. The prose is sharp, eloquent and never dull although at times veering into documentary. With courage and strenuous effort, his illness becomes manageable if not completely cured. He completes his PhD and achieves distinction as a journalist. This is also a story of how the closure of one door opens another, cliched as that may sound. Nathan has become an articulate voice for the voiceless sufferers of depersonalisation. Had his cherished girlfriend not left him, he would not have gained a sublime friendship with an older woman with whom he mysteriously bonds at a glance. In the end, this book is a triumph for the author and a privileged glimpse for the reader who hopes never to be afflicted with this strange malady.

[Leslie Oberhaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting account of the author's experience living with depersonalization, a condition in which a person feels disconnected from their self, their body, and their emotions. This is not a condition that I know much about and I was intrigued to learn more about it from a first-person perspective.

Mr. Dunne does a good job trying to convey what it is like to experience this condition, taking us from his first episode of dissociation, through the effects of the condition on not only his health but his life and relationships, to diagnosis and the struggle for recognition and understanding of depersonalization, to treatment, ending with what he considers his partial recovery. His writing is honest and vivid. Throughout the book, Dunne weaves in information on the history and the science of depersonalization as well as statements from others suffering from the condition. Even though the transitions between these sections are sometimes disjointed, it all comes together into a fascinating look at this little-known illness.

Content warning for discussion of suicide and an attempt early in the book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rozanna Lilley]

I read this book after listening to a podcast about the experiences of the author, Nathan Dunne. I was captivated by his story - the sudden onset of depersonalisation that left him wrecked, bereft and barely able to function in the world. I had an out-of-body episode in my 2os, looking down at myself from the ceiling. I've rarely spoken about it to anyone - it was nightmarish but transitory. It opened up a sense of different realities or dimensions, and of sometimes sliding between these. Dunne's experience is far more devastating involving years and years of trying to find an answer to his loss of capacity, his sense of emptiness and a feeling of having radically failed to meet the promise of his youth. This is the story of a search for a diagnosis, for help, and of the struggle and determination to stay alive. Dunne hopes his book will increase understanding of depersonalisation. As someone who has spent decades as an autism researcher, his ideas about how to improve the DSM and, more generally, of how medical progress is made are somewhat naive. But you have to admire the effort and the advocacy.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big reader and typically read about 10 to 12 books a month. I have read a lot of mental health memoirs and books about depression (it’s in my family) and I can honestly say this book is amazing and one of a kind. The author has a horrible experience with a mental illness called Depersonalisation that he describes as “the onset”. He is living in London and young and in love and then everything goes wrong. There’s a sickness that comes into his life and he has to find out what is wrong with him. I thought the chapters in Los Angeles stood out and were interesting where it turns a bit religious. The author also is pretty good at creating an atmosphere and weather. In the Los Angeles part he is lying in a garden and can’t get up in the rain. There’s lots of strong emotions with that and it’s a really deep read. I hope everyone can get better help.

[PageWhisper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathan Dunne’s When Nothing Feels Real is a rare and empathetic exploration of derealization, the unsettling sense that the world feels dreamlike or unreal. What makes this book stand out is how it combines psychology, personal stories, and cultural references to give readers language for an experience that is often misunderstood or overlooked. The addition of coping strategies and treatment options grounds the theory in practical advice, offering hope without oversimplifying.

At times, the book can feel dense with historical and philosophical references, and it leans more toward reflection than a quick self-help fix. Still, its empathetic tone, thoughtful analysis, and validation of lived experience make it a valuable companion for anyone struggling with derealization—or simply curious abou the blurred boundaries between mind and reality.

[BooksCoveredHB · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my full review with sensory details please visit my blog.

I was pulled in by the first page, knowing this is non-fiction and that this story is real made me want to read on. I found this a very interesting and engaging read and actually I couldn’t put it down. I found it very fast paced.

I feel it is super that Dunne could write of his own journey and I hope this goes on to help others. Given my own health journeys and battles I am fascinated by such subjects especially of mental health.

If you have an interest in science and or just the human body, if you work in healthcare you do not want to miss this and you’ll be glad you read When Nothing Feels Real.

[Adriana Childs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished reading this book and it took me a few days. Wow just wow. As a person struggling with some mental health problems I wanted to read something by someone who’d been through a similar thing so I chose this. I wasn’t expecting such a spectacular read. I thought it would be draining but it wasn’t. The author is obviously well written in the way he writes about his problems. I connected with this book because it was so emotional. I would recommend it if you want a read that you can really connect with and spend a long time thinking about, especially how the body and brain meet up.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. This is an unbelievable account of dealing with depersonalisation disorder. The Mayo Clinic defines it as: the persistent feeling of observing oneself from outside one’s body or having a sense that one’s surroundings aren't real.

I was a psych major and had never heard of this. Nathan's account is terrifying, confusing, and uplifting. Just trying to describe his condition must have been so difficult. I could barely wrap my brain around it. An engaging page-turner that's informative and must instill some hope in other silent sufferers.

Thanks to Nathan and Murdoch books for sending me a copy.

[Kamya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living with depersonalization is the subject of the eerie yet enlightening memoir When Nothing Feels Real. Nathan Dunne portrays the experience of losing one's identity while still navigating the world with unvarnished honesty. This book is remarkable because of his bravery in transforming his own pain into a work of art and science. In addition to explaining depersonalization, Dunne gives it a human voice by fusing neuroscience, memoir, and conversations with medical professionals. It is a lifeline for anyone battling this invisible sickness; it is tragic, poignant, and ultimately optimistic.

[Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Please note that there is heavy talk of suicide near the beginning, as well as descriptions of a suicide attempt. Because of this, the beginning is very heavy, and you do follow a very real journey of someone's recovery.

I have to give this book five stars. It was just so real. I enjoyed all of the research that went into the discussion around studies and the history of depersonalization; I learned a lot along with going on my own emotional journey. I related in my own ways, and the uplifting ending was lovely. If you're going through anything hard in your life, it can be reassuring to read something like this and to realize that you're not alone.

[Karis Clements · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a debut memoir, and it was a raw and deeply personal account of living with depersonalisation disorder. Which is a mental illness that causes a person to dissociate from their body and thoughts. As someone who works in the field of mental health, I found this book to be a remarkable and captivating read. Alongside Nathan Dunne’s personal story it also features his research and people discussing their experience with depersonalisation disorder. I am very interested in depersonalisation disorder now and found this book taught me so much that I did not know, and I am keen to read more about it. Highly recommend this memoir.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Nothing Feels Real: A Journey Into the Mystery Illness of Depersonalisation by Nathan Dunne is an extraordinary exploration of identity, consciousness, and the fragility of the human mind. Dunne’s deeply personal account of his descent into and gradual emergence from depersonalisation is both haunting and illuminating. With a journalist’s precision and a memoirist’s vulnerability, he brings readers into the heart of a condition that is rarely understood yet profoundly impactful. The balance between scientific inquiry and lived experience gives this book remarkable depth, making it a powerful companion for anyone interested in psychology, neuroscience, or the mystery of selfhood.

[Brandon Glopver-Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful read! I can’t imagine sitting down and writing a whole book about being so sad. Depersonalisation sounds awful but I love reading this genre. Sometimes it’s like horror. He went through this and felt awful. He almost died. There are so many feelings and they change all the time. I’ve never met someone IRL with so many feelings. Maybe they keep the feelings to themselves I don’t know. A very interesting read that gave me a new perspective. Just don’t give up on hope in these hard times.

[Nazia Sultana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful and honest book where Nathan shares his experience living with depersonalisation—a condition that made him feel disconnected from his body, memories, and reality. He explains the fear, confusion, and long struggle to find answers, while also including helpful insights from science and others going through the same thing.

Key Takeaway: Naming what you’re going through is the first step toward healing.

A short, eye-opening read for anyone interested in mental health or who’s ever felt lost in their own mind.

[Marthe Hanau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed to read this. The book talks about an illness that not many people know about but is a big problem. Depersonalisation is horrible but there is a way through it. I love reading about people’s psychology. I also like it when someone is brave enough to disclose their story because it can help others in difficult times. This book is all of that and much more. Words do not do this book justice. I haven’t read such a touching book like this for a few years.

[Donna Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a wow factor. I don’t read as much as I used to these days, but I bought this for a short course and I have to say I really really enjoyed it, Feels very important to all the things going on now with mental health. His story was relatable and I was swept along. A quick read and for me a seriously good one.

[Khushi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Nothing Feels Real is a powerful journey into the world of depersonalisation told with honesty, empathy, and courage. The author captures what it feels like to lose touch with reality yet still fight to find meaning and connection. It’s both haunting and healing, showing that even in the strangest moments of disconnection, there’s hope for understanding and recovery.