Does your perception try to deceive you? Do you feel as if you can no longer depend on it? When our senses convey distorted information to the brain, we may experience bizarre and disturbing changes in the way we see the world. One of the possible reasons behind this is a condition known as derealization disorder.

You may feel you are detached from your surroundings and experiences, and realize that you are not ‘present enough’ in what is happening around you. It’s difficult to put a finger on it, but you are sure that something is not right and it’s not funny at all. 

If this applies to you, we welcome you to solve our Derealization Test. Answer all 20 questions and we will tell you if you suffer from this condition.

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Derealization Disorder – Introduction

The state of derealization can be very stressful and lead to panic attacks. An episode of derealization is difficult to ignore, as it leads to a feeling that something is wrong. Despite the fact that it’s definitely not a comfortable experience, it is not life-threatening and most of the time don’t require treatment. 

Derealization episodes rarely start after age 40. It affects both women and men equally. 95% of the cases involve people before age 25. Most people experience short episodes of derealization and only at certain periods in their lives. Derealization is rarely chronic.

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Derealization – Definition

Derealization alternate perception of the world. It’s a mental state which makes the external world appear unreal and lacking. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) describes it as an experience of detachment with respect to surroundings. 

Derealization is sometimes confused with another mental condition, depersonalization. Both alternate our perception, with the first one making us feel as if we are detached from our surroundings, while the latter involves the detachment from our own body, thoughts, and feelings.

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Symptoms And Signs Of Derealization

Derealization can cause a lot of bizarre psychological symptoms. Derealization episodes can last a moment and never come back again or stretch for a longer period of time. This depends on many factors such as other health conditions. Even though you may think you are going crazy, when it comes to derealization, you can still tell what is imaginary and what is real. Take a look at the symptoms below and see if some of them apply to you.

• Feeling of being in a dream 
• Seeing things through a fog or a wall
• Things seem lacking color or being blurry
• Things you see are too big, too small or unnaturally sharp
• Feeling of being detached from reality
• Everything seems fake and unreal
• Distorted time perception (time speeds up, slow down, or stand still)
• Sounds seem too loud or too soft

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How To Stop A Derealization Episode? 8 Tips

Now that you know how to identify derealization episodes it’s time you learn how to deal with this condition. There are a number of ways which can help you calm down and ease your symptoms. You can also apply some changes in your lifestyle to reduce the chance of it happening again.

1. Try to pinch the skin on your hand or cheek. Splash your face with water or touch something warm or cold.
2. Reduce daily caffeine intake. Coffees and strong tea can make you more alert and increase stress levels.
3. Try not to fight the derealization episode. It can stress you out more than it should and make it longer as a result. Remember it’s only temporary and try to calmly wait it out.
4. Don’t stop doing and enjoying your daily activities. The less you think about derealization, the less often its symptoms will manifest. Occupying your mind with things you love is a good strategy against many psychological conditions.
5. Count something in your room. Try to identify and name items you are looking at.
6. Focus on a single object in your room. Try to remember how you got it and what story it has. It can be a gift, photography, poster, or anything that makes you feel nostalgic.  
7. Contact your friend. Many people find it easier to calm down thanks to a conversation with someone they know. Whether it’s an anxiety attack, depersonalization, or derealization, phone call or online conversation can make you feel more comfortable.
8. Getting enough sleep is also an important step to consider. Being tired during the day can make dealing with stress harder. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of getting anxiety attacks and other psychological episodes such as depersonalization and derealization. 

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Get Ready For The Test

Do you feel detached from reality? Do your surroundings seem distorted or false? You may suffer from the condition known as derealization. Solve our test to know for sure!

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