Overcoming Depersonalisation and Derealisation

Introduction

Hi, I'm Charles Linden. If you're experiencing depersonalisation and derealisation, I understand how unsettling and distressing it can be. These symptoms can make you feel disconnected from yourself and your surroundings. I've been there, and I'm here to help you navigate through these feelings and find effective ways to manage and overcome them. For over two decades, I battled severe anxiety disorders, and through my journey, I developed a unique approach that has since helped over 30 million people worldwide. My methods are based on real experiences and proven results.

Understanding Depersonalisation and Derealisation

What is Depersonalisation?

Depersonalisation involves feeling disconnected from yourself, as if you're an outside observer of your own thoughts, feelings, and body. It's like watching your life from a distance. I remember feeling like I was observing my actions from outside my body, which was both confusing and terrifying.

What is Derealisation?

Derealisation involves feeling disconnected from your surroundings, making the world around you seem unreal or distorted. It's as if you're living in a dream or watching a movie where nothing feels quite real.

Recognising Symptoms

Depersonalisation Symptoms

• Feeling Detached: You may feel like you're observing your actions, thoughts, or emotions from a distance, as if they belong to someone else.
• Emotional Numbness: There might be a sense of emotional detachment or feeling numb, as if your emotions are muted or distant.
• Loss of Identity: You might struggle with a diminished sense of self-identity or feel like you've lost touch with who you are.

Derealisation Symptoms

• Perceptual Distortions: Your surroundings may appear distorted, blurry, or lacking in depth and vividness.
• Dream-Like State: You might perceive the world as if you're in a dream-like state or watching a movie where things don't seem entirely real.
• Sense of Unreality: There may be a pervasive feeling that your surroundings are artificial, unfamiliar, or not quite real.

Common Questions

About Symptoms

• Why do I feel disconnected from myself and my surroundings?
• Is this feeling of detachment permanent?
• What triggers these episodes of depersonalisation and derealisation?

About Reality

• Is what I'm experiencing real, or am I going crazy?
• How can I make sense of my perception of reality when it feels distorted?
• Can other people tell that I feel disconnected?

Causes and Triggers

Potential Causes

• Stress and Trauma: Episodes may be triggered by stress, trauma, anxiety, or other emotional disturbances.
• Underlying Conditions: There could be underlying medical conditions or psychiatric disorders contributing to these feelings.

Emotional Impact

Persistent Feelings

Depersonalisation and derealisation can occur episodically or persistently, impacting daily life and causing significant distress.

Fear and Anxiety

These experiences can often be accompanied by fear of losing control or going crazy, leading to heightened anxiety and distress.

Impact on Daily Life

Interference with Activities

Depersonalisation and derealisation can interfere with daily activities, work, and relationships. The fear and confusion can make it challenging to function normally.

Emotional Toll

They can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, and difficulty connecting with others emotionally. Seeking reassurance or trying to ground yourself to alleviate these feelings can become a coping mechanism.

My Journey and How I Can Help You

I've experienced the same feelings of detachment and disconnection that you are going through. During my worst episodes, I felt like my mind had somehow left my head and was floating in front of my forehead. This sensation was incredibly disorienting and frightening. Sometimes I didn’t even recognise myself when I looked in the mirror. Through my own recovery journey, I developed a structured approach to overcoming anxiety disorders. This method is based on real experiences and results, not just theory.

Steps to Overcoming Depersonalisation and Derealisation

Embrace New Behaviours

To escape the anxiety trap, you must learn new, non-anxious behaviours. This involves reprogramming your subconscious mind through consistent, conscious effort. It's not easy, but it's possible with the right guidance and support.

Practise Diversion Techniques

One effective strategy is diversion—engaging in activities that shift your focus away from anxiety. This helps your subconscious mind adopt new, positive behaviours, reducing anxiety over time. For me, finding activities that kept me engaged and distracted helped reduce these overwhelming sensations.

Why You Can Trust My Approach

I understand the overwhelming grip of depersonalisation and derealisation firsthand. I battled severe anxiety disorders for over two decades, and through my recovery, I developed a unique approach that has since helped millions of people worldwide.

Credentials and Experience:

• Pioneer in Anxiety Recovery: Since 1997, my methods have been tested and proven effective, helping countless individuals regain control of their lives.
• Author and Educator: I've authored over 200 works and have been featured by Hay House Publishing as the world’s leading anxiety recovery expert.
• Global Reach: My programmes have reached people in more than 60 countries, with personal coaching and residential retreats that provide immersive recovery experiences.
• Media Presence: I’ve been a keynote speaker, TV presenter, and guest on numerous radio shows and podcasts, spreading awareness and effective solutions for anxiety disorders.
• Recovery Ambassadors: Many of my high-profile clients, such as Jemma Kidd, Plum Sykes, and Jodie Kidd, have become Recovery Ambassadors, sharing their recovery journeys to inspire others.

Conclusion

Remember, you're not alone in this battle. Together, we can navigate through the challenges and build a brighter, more connected future.

If these experiences resonate with you, it’s important to recognise that you might be suffering from depersonalisation and derealisation. The Anxiety Project recovery methodology creates fast, simple and lifelong, drug-free, anxiety disorder recovery. It is the world's first and only accredited, evidence-based, psycho-educational recovery treatment.