Depersonalization Disorder

Sometimes, life can feel like it’s happening from a distance. It’s as if you’re watching yourself move through the world but not really in it. This experience, while deeply unsettling, is more common than many people realize. If you’ve felt emotionally numb, detached from your body, or like the world around you isn’t quite real, you might be dealing with depersonalization disorder.

At Florida Atlantic Coast Treatment Solutions (FACTS), we understand how frightening and isolating this can feel. As a trusted depersonalization disorder recovery center in Florida, we provide compassionate, specialized treatment to help you reconnect with yourself and regain a sense of control.

What Is Depersonalization Disorder?

Depersonalization disorder is a type of dissociative disorder marked by persistent or recurring feelings of being detached from your body, thoughts, or surroundings. It can feel like you’re in a dream, or as though your emotions and actions don’t belong to you. For some, these symptoms come and go. For others, they may last for long periods and interfere with daily life.

These experiences aren’t signs of weakness. They’re often the brain’s way of coping with overwhelming stress or trauma. At FACTS, we approach each person with empathy, helping you understand what’s happening and how to heal.

Signs and Symptoms of Depersonalization Disorder

Recognizing depersonalization disorder can be tricky, especially because it can feel surreal or hard to describe. Many people will experience brief moments of disconnection in their lives. In fact, studies suggest that up to 74% of people experience some form of depersonalization at some point in their lifetime.

Unfortunately, the condition is often under-diagnosed or misunderstood. Common symptoms include:

Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from your thoughts or body
Feeling like you’re observing yourself from outside your body
The world feels distant, foggy, or unreal (also called derealization)
Distorted perception of time, like it’s moving too fast or too slow
Difficulty connecting with others or feeling like you’re “just going through the motions”
Intense anxiety or distress about the experience, often with fear of “going crazy”

These symptoms can feel scary, but they are treatable. With the right support, healing is possible.

What Causes Depersonalization Disorder?

Depersonalization disorder doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. It’s often the mind’s way of trying to protect itself. While each person’s experience is unique, there are some common factors that may contribute to the development of this condition:

Chronic Stress or Anxiety: Ongoing, high levels of stress or anxiety can cause the brain to “disconnect” as a defense mechanism. You may feel emotionally numb or distant as a way to cope with what feels unmanageable.
Childhood Trauma or Emotional Neglect: Early experiences of abuse, neglect, or growing up in an unstable environment can leave deep emotional wounds. Over time, this can lead to dissociative symptoms as a way of escaping difficult memories or emotions.
Severe Depression: Intense depression can contribute to a sense of detachment or disconnection, making it hard to feel joy, sadness, or even a clear sense of identity.
Panic Attacks: For some individuals, depersonalization can be triggered during or immediately after a panic attack. The overwhelming fear and physical symptoms can create a sense of “disconnecting”.
Substance Use or Withdrawal: Certain substances, including cannabis, hallucinogens, and stimulants, can trigger dissociative symptoms. This is especially so in those already prone to anxiety or trauma. Withdrawal from some medications or drugs can also cause episodes of depersonalization.
Sensory Overload or Sleep Deprivation: When your brain doesn’t get enough rest or is overloaded with stimulation, it may respond by pulling back from reality, leading to a foggy, dreamlike state.

At Florida Atlantic Coast Treatment Solutions, we understand that depersonalization is often a symptom of a deeper issue. That’s why we focus on uncovering the underlying causes and developing a treatment plan that helps you not only manage symptoms but also truly heal. We’ll meet you with understanding, not judgment, and help you feel safe in your mind and body again.

Therapy for Depersonalization Disorder at FACTS

At Florida Atlantic Coast Treatment Solutions, we focus on evidence-based, trauma-informed therapies designed to help individuals reconnect with themselves and the world around them. Our treatment for depersonalization disorder is personalized and supportive, rooted in compassion and clinical expertise. We offer a range of therapeutic approaches, including:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on identifying and reshaping unhelpful thought patterns that fuel depersonalization and anxiety.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Offers practical tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and grounding. All are essential for managing dissociative symptoms.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Helps process traumatic memories that may be contributing to feelings of disconnection or detachment.
Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT): A brief, trauma-focused therapy that works to quickly clear emotional disturbances without re-traumatization.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART): Combines elements of traditional talk therapy with eye movement techniques to help reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and trauma.

These therapies are carefully integrated into each patient’s treatment plan, helping them gently reconnect with their thoughts and physical experiences in a safe and structured environment.

A Healing Environment That Supports Recovery

At FACTS, we believe your surroundings play a powerful role in the healing process. That’s why our residential treatment program for depersonalization disorder is designed to provide both comfort and structure in a peaceful, supportive setting.

Residential treatment at FACTS includes:

Private rooms with patios for quiet reflection and personal space
A full kitchen and culinary team that prepare fresh meals daily
On-site therapy spaces for individual and group sessions
A calming environment that reduces stress and encourages grounding

With 24/7 care and a dedicated clinical team, you’ll have the time, support, and safety needed to focus fully on your recovery journey.

Reconnect With Yourself at FACTS

Feeling disconnected from your body or the world can be scary, but it doesn’t have to stay this way. At Florida Atlantic Coast Treatment Solutions, we walk beside you with care, respect, and the tools you need to heal. If you’re looking for depersonalization disorder treatment in Florida or want to learn more about our recovery center for dissociative disorders, reach out today. Let’s take the next step toward wholeness together.

Let Us Give You the Support You Deserve

Healing starts with one conversation. Reach out now and connect with a team who truly cares.

Dissociative Disorders

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