Feeling Unreal: Depersonalization Disorder and the Loss of the Self [Paperback]

The Definitive Book On Depersonalization Disorder

As a 16 year old who has suffered from Depersonalization Disorder for many years, and one who has had to put up with the horrors of this disorder; I have to say what a fantastic book and a pleasure to read it was. Feeling Unreal - Depersonalization Disorder and Loss of the Self delves into the very heart of Depersonalization Disorder, providing explanations as to why Depersonalization Disorder occurs, which area of the brain is of interest to researchers researching Depersonalization Disorder, and what chemicals may be involved and beyond. The book starts of by giving a thorough introduction of Depersonalization Disorder and what it is like to be depersonalized. Then goes much deeper into the philosophical, existentialism, literature that has mentioned the disorder/or descriptions matching it. The book even has a FAQ at the end to answer some of those important questions.

I do feel very irritated that there are certain disputes regarding Depersonalization Disorder, whether it is in relation to which category it falls into or how it is to be treated. As a young individual who has had Depersonalization Disorder for as long as I can remember I find it absolutely ridiculous that it is being placed in with the Anxiety Disorders, as it is clear to me - even as a young individual, that it is strongly linked in with Dissociation (Dissociative Disorders). This is without doubt, a disorder itself, and it should be treated as such. Daphne Simeon, MD and Jeffrey Abugel deserve a medal for writing this very understanding, easily flowing, informative and truthful-telling book which really places everything about this disorder into position.

Everybody, at some point in their life, will experience depersonalization (DPD) for a moment,then it will pass. But for some poor soles, it doesn't go away. If you have depersonalization, you know there's something wrong in your head, you may not know what it is and probably think there is something wrong with you that nobody else has ever had. This book masterfully explains the condition in the most comprehensive and unpatronising way possible through meticulous research and clear engaging prose. The case studies early on are like mini short stories, some with which you will identify, and some that are completely alien, such is the rich variety of the condition. There are those with foggy headedness, and lack of emotion, through to those with sheer terrifying phobias of their own existence.

Thanks to the thoroughness of the authors, if you read this book to the end, there will be no doubt in your mind whether you have the condition or not, what type of condition, where and when it started, how it affects you, and that you can do something about it. The book does this by looking at all aspects of the condition. For example, the book considers the biology of the brain, and where the condition may lurk. There is inevitably conjecture but the authors are careful not to draw conclusions, but contemplating the workings of the brain and "community of the mind" (that's my phrase) helps understand the condition's dynamics. As well as a historical look at research and attitudes to the illness, the book considers it's place in literature which was surprisingly helpful. Some great writers have explored characters who have depersonalization, and this helps articulate the condition. The most obvious illustration of a type of DPD is JP Sartre's philosophy on existentialism. There are further illustrations and comparisons with Buddhism, and onto drug abuse and the so-near-medical phenomenon LSD. I never realized the significance of LSD to understanding the mind, and how it can work for some people but not for those with a predisposition to DPD, and the reason for this. This book neatly leads to the following question: how come some people desire and achieve depersonalization-like mind states through drugs and meditation, whilst others suffer depersonalization as a debilitating illness. There seems to be no crossover - if you suffer DPD you want to be cured, if you don't have a predisposition to DPD you are drawn to and can enjoy dissociative mind states.

If drugs and mind games can cause DPD, it stands to reason that medication and psychiatry can contain it. The book considers the medical professions answer to DPD, or at least those few clinicians who understand the ailment. Much of this work is surprisingly recent.

For me personally, this book has helped put my own condition in perspective; there are people out there who suffer worse than me and have learned to live full and worthwhile lives. As I read the book I wasn't completely convinced that DPD was my problem, and although I could relate to parts of the text so clearly that I occasionally had mild sweats, it wasn't until nearly the end, when reading the Epilogue, that the last piece of the jigsaw came into place. In fact, one phrase hit me so hard I had to stand up and turn around to regain my bearings. I can see patterns in my thinking now that lead to a worsening condition, and I do ruminate with introspection, internalizing of conflict and stifling emotions. Does this mean I need to laugh and cry more? Or by getting angry with people I'll be cured from something that has nothing to do with being angry or other people even? This is not a self help book. It is the starting point, not the end point. But you couldn't ask for a clearer path to pole position.

having suffered with depersonalisation for nearly 15 years now this book is now like a bible for me- i cannot reccomend it highly enough - in fact i think this book should be read by anyone who is in the medical profession as i've spent years trying to explain d.p. to various doctors and recieving blank looks .this book is pure gold buy it and discover the horror of what nearly 1 million people in the uk are suffering from