Not all symptoms and accompanying effects of depersonalization can be lessened with simple tools. For example, this page does not provide any tools for strong self-doubt or severe irrational fears, as an all-encompassing immersion is necessary to treat them. To only use individual, punctual tools would fall short of the mark and could even have detrimental effects if there are more underlying factors or even traumatic experiences causing self-doubt or fears.
Sometimes, it is also not enough for those suffering from depersonalization if individual symptoms are lessened by special tools, as depersonalization is still experienced as severely impairing. These people for example wish not only for their visual impairments to be lessened, but for depersonalization to disappear as a whole.
Whoever feels addressed by this should consider taking up psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy or other psychotherapeutic schools offer a series of methods for depersonalization disorder. However, it is important to find a therapist who already has experience in dealing with depersonalization disorder. It should be possible to speak with this person about one’s experiences in an open way.
Limits of self-treatment – depersonalization and traumatization
Those people who have experienced severe traumatization often experience symptoms of depersonalization, at least during the time of traumatic occurrences. In some cases, symptoms become chronic. Here, depersonalization fulfils a protective function for the affected person.
Whoever knows or believes that there may be traumatic experiences underlying depersonalization should take a step back from self-treatment. Depriving oneself of this protective function can have grave and often uncontrollable consequences.
Psychotherapy, ideally with a particular focus on trauma therapy, is the best measure in such cases.
Living with depersonalization?
Whoever is affected by depersonalization must consider that treating the disorder is a long-term process with an uncertain outcome. Neither medical treatment nor psychotherapy, nor any of the tools introduced on this page are a guarantee for overcoming depersonalization disorder.
Nonetheless it makes sense to embark on the path and to not get deterred before even starting. Depersonalization disorder is not a fixed condition that stays the same for one’s entire life. Even if depersonalization disorder has prevailed over a long period of time, even for many years, change is possible. Whoever chooses to face their own depersonalization can only win: a deeper understanding for oneself, a higher quality of life, a larger scope of influence. In any case, it is worth it. If you are affected by depersonalization remember: you are not alone! Depersonalization is a common disorder. There are options to overcome it and it is always possible to find people who have overcome the disorder.