Depersonalization: A New Look at a Neglected Syndrome (Cambridge Medicine

by Mauricio Sierra

Depersonalization is a dissociative disorder, causing alteration in the perception or experience of the self and a detachment from reality. This is a fascinating and clinically relevant phenomenon neglected within psychiatry. Far from being a rare condition, it can be as prevalent as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and frequently occurs in association with other neuropsychiatric conditions. This book is a review of depersonalization, dealing with the subject from a wide range of perspectives and covering historical, conceptual, clinical, trans-cultural, pharmacological and neurobiological factors. It discusses recent neuroimaging studies providing fresh insights into the condition and opening up new opportunities to manage the symptoms with pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions. It will be relevant to psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, as well as primary care practitioners, neurologists and psychiatric nurses.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

186 pages, Hardcover

First published August 12, 2005

Reviews

[Alistair Hawthorne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I expected. Haven't found any answers or knowledge I haven't dug up before as it's mostly a collection of research papers on the topic thrown together. Citation upon citation ad nauseam. Skipped the last part about neurobiology as I've zero interest in that.
Adequate as an introduction into DP/DR, but other than not much of a use.

[Abdulkader Abdulrazzak · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book is highly technical and is meant to define the condition for practitioners. it doesn't deviate at all from the empirical description and personally, it's not what I was looking for. I didn't learn anything that I haven't read online already. if you are looking to read about the philosophical aspect of DP or experiences of sufferers, this is not the book for you.

[Peter Bambrowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little drier than "Feeling Unreal" and contains some new information but nothing mindblowing.

[Yuxi Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dense and careful summary of the state of the art on depersonalization-derealization disorder at 2008, touching occasionally on the other disorders that has dissociation as an important symptom.

Works best when accompanied by "Feeling unreal : depersonalization disorder and the loss of the self".