Navigating Derealization: Strategies and Hope for Healing

Dealing with derealization can be an intense and lonely experience, often arising from the aftermath of trauma. It's a feeling where the world seems distant or the self feels detached, and it can be overwhelming. While it may not be a fun experience, seeking professional help, especially from a therapist, can make a significant difference in one's healing journey.

Understanding Derealization

When people experience derealization, they might feel like they are watching life happen to someone else, or that the environment around them is not real. It encompasses similar feelings to those experienced in anxiety, depression, or on an anxiety scale that is beyond what one would typically experience. This state can be described as a feeling of numbness, a sense of unreality, or a distorted perception of surroundings. Sometimes, the mind tries to leave the body, leading to an autopilot mode where one feels disconnected from themselves and the environment.

Strategies for Coping with Derealization

One effective way to reconnect with oneself is by engaging in activities that bring meaning and purpose. Here are some strategies that can help: Set a Regular Sleep Schedule: Establishing a consistent routine helps to stabilize the mind and reduce feelings of unreality. Go for Outdoor Walks: Exposure to nature and fresh air can be soothing and grounding. Socialize: Engage with others, whether it's friends, family, or even plants. Social interaction can provide a sense of connection and reality. Listen to Music: Through music, one can find a moment of calm, which can help reduce the overwhelming feelings of derealization.

During a particularly intense episode, an individual might find it helpful to listen to a favorite song, record it, and listen to it again as a way to bring back a sense of reality.

Mental Orientation and Dealing with Stress

Normally, we have a clear sense of self, time, and location, which psychologists refer to as "orientation times three." When stress is high, the brain can become overwhelmed, leading to a disconnection from these crucial senses. Depersonalization, the feeling of unreality, can be alleviated when stress is reduced.

Treatment and Healing from Trauma

For individuals who have experienced significant trauma during their childhood, seeking specialized therapeutic intervention can be highly beneficial. Therapy aimed at repairing attachment and bonding can profoundly impact one's life. It involves slowly building these connections, making the process take time to be fully effective. Being seen, valued, and loved can also play a crucial role in healing.

Available Therapies and Hope

One of the most effective forms of treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A personal anecdote illustrates how one might have struggled with derealization during a trip, only to find that therapy did not provide complete relief. However, the importance of continuing to seek help and explore different methodologies should be stressed.

The right brain, which tends to be more anxious and negative, can generate overwhelming feelings, but by leveraging the left brain, which is logical and positive, these feelings can be managed. Techniques like EGMi, which focuses on maximizing the use of the left brain, can be a part of this process. Mastering this can take about six months, as it involves learning to harness the positive aspects of the brain.

In conclusion, derealization is a personal journey that requires time, patience, and therapeutic support. By focusing on reconnecting with oneself through meaningful activities, seeking the right therapeutic interventions, and recognizing the importance of mental and emotional healing, individuals can find their way back to a sense of self and reality.