Depersonalization Disorder Can Tear Families Apart
Almost everyone has moments where they feel out of touch with reality. These feelings usually occur during times of great stress, grief, or lack of sleep. However, when these feelings persist for long periods of time and begin to interfere in a person's daily functioning, the person may be suffering from a severe mental disorder known as depersonalization disorder.
Those who suffer from depersonalization disorder, often feel as if they are not in the real world. They usually feel as if they are going through the motions. In bad cases, they may feel like they are watching their life slip away like in a movie or a play. Other symptoms are absence of emotion and feeling, lack of thoughts, and loss of taste. The person can also feel like their voice sounds very far away.
Nobody is certain as to exactly what is at the root of depersonalization disorder, but it is generally thought to be connected to some form of abuse in one's youth, particularly sexually or emotionally inflicted abuse. It has also been seen to have arisen in individuals who have suffered accidents or undergone extreme stress and/or physical damage.
In the past, depersonalization treatment has primarily revolved around medication. Naloxene, benzodiazepine, and certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have shown some promising signs in treating this disorder. However, no medication has been proven to control the disorder's symptoms so that the person functions at a normal level.
Right now, treatments are being investigated which might provide non-medicinal depersonalization help. By increasing the quantity of fruits and vegetables in the sufferer's diet, and lessening the quantity of red meat and dairy items which are high in fat, some positive results have been observed. Exercising daily appears to be beneficial as well. The therapy currently showing the most potential is behavioral therapy in which the person learns to relate these thoughts of dissociation with the adverse thought patterns.
For individuals suffering with this psychological turmoil, the duty it can boast on the patient and their relatives can be devastating. Since this disorder frequently take place with extra psychological illness like depression and bi-polar disarray, the emotional and psychological throbbing can look as if overpowering and undefeatable. On the other hand, with latest healings that do not comprise prescription carrying substantial guarantee, depersonalization patients and their relatives can come across to the future with new-fangled optimism.
Those who suffer from depersonalization disorder, often feel as if they are not in the real world. In bad cases, they may feel like they are watching their life slip away like in a movie or a play. Other symptoms are absence of emotion and feeling, lack of thoughts, and loss of taste. Drugs were primary used for depersonalization treatment. Naloxene, benzodiazepine, and some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have proven to be reasonably successful in treating this condition. Right now, treatments are being investigated which might provide non-medicinal depersonalization help. Some positive results have been observed by increasing the quantity of fruits and vegetables in the sufferer's diet.
Published December 28th, 2008
Filed in Health, Psychology
