“I don’t feel real. All the time - literally all the time - I feel like I’m living life from behind a glass screen, or that I’m watching life as it’s happening on TV but it’s not real. I’m always ten yards removed from it. I don’t cry. I don’t feel things. I feel like I’m in a dream. I feel like I’m going mad. Even now, talking to you, I’m not sure if this is really happening or not or if I’m just imagining it. The GP says I’m just depressed, but I’m not.” Depersonalisation/derealisation disorder (DPD) is a surprisingly common response to overwhelming stress or trauma. This short book explains what it is, what causes it, the treatment options, existing research, alongside case studies.
Author and trainer on complex trauma and dissociation including Dissociative Identity Disorder. Formerly director of Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors.
Definitely a good read especially if just wanting a quick read and general background information on DPD. Loved the inclusion of patient accounts to describe their experience with DPD to see the full extent and differences that can occur among everyone. Found this book very helpful for general knowledge of this topic, I would suggest to avoid if wanting to read an extremely detailed book about DPD!
This book gave me a lot of information to help me understand this disorder. I had no idea of the commonality of it and was glad to find out that there is treatment.