Restrictions on quality of life and freedom of action

Many people who suffer from depersonalization or derealization describe their lives as being severely affected by these symptoms.

The symptoms are sometimes experienced as so disruptive that those affected say they no longer have any quality of life at all. Life is no longer fun for them and seems to make little sense to them.

The symptoms have to go first …

However, it is striking that many sufferers of chronic depersonalization or derealization are not prepared to actively do anything about their symptoms.

‘First the symptoms have to go, then I can live again!’ This is the attitude of many sufferers.

This attitude leads to sufferers passively remaining in a life with a reduced quality of life.

Also a reduction in freedom of action

Worse still, because many sufferers find that feelings of unreality or alienation worsen in certain situations, they tend to avoid these situations so as not to be confronted with an increase in symptoms.

Some sufferers no longer take part in social activities because they have experienced their symptoms worsening there.

Other sufferers only eat certain foods because they have noticed that their symptoms worsen when they eat unfamiliar foods.

Still other sufferers stop going to school, stop driving, break off relationships, quit jobs …

The examples could go on and on.

In addition to a reduced quality of life, this ultimately results in reduced freedom of action in the lives of those affected.

Many sufferers of chronic depersonalization or derealization have the feeling that they can no longer make self-determined decisions about their lives. They feel like they are in a cage from which there is no way out.

A meaningful life is also possible with DP/DR!

In order to overcome the symptoms, it is essential that those affected start to take control of their lives again.

It makes no sense to wait for feelings of unreality or alienation to disappear ‘by themselves’ before finally being able to live again.

A meaningful life is also possible with or even despite being affected by depersonalization or derealization.

Those affected should ask themselves the following questions:

What does quality of life mean to me?

What constitutes a meaningful life for me?

Where do I want to go in my life?

What do I want to achieve?

What aspects are important in my life?

What can I do despite depersonalization or derealization?

Which areas of my life do I not want to let spoil me despite feelings of unreality or alienation?