This article explores derealisation, or feeling like the world around you or yourself is not real.
The French coined the term l’appel du vide to describe “the call of the void,” the sensation one gets when, for example, they look over a cliff and consider jumping. Does that person jump? Most of the time, no. But they feel invisible tendrils nudging them towards the edge nevertheless for a few otherworldly breaths. But some people don’t feel such a strange out-of-body experience only for moments. The sensation that the world around you is not real and that you are not a part of it can persist in reoccurring bouts and for extended periods. While perhaps not precisely what the French were referring to when they said l’appel du vide, derealization is an invisible tug into another realm that leaves one feeling helplessly disconnected.
Is the void calling? Do you feel as though you are endlessly sinking into an abyss? Has the world around you lost its color? Does it feel like there is a glass panel separating you from your surroundings? Does everything around you feel muted and out of reach? If you find yourself nodding your head, then you might be dealing with derealization. Derealization is the feeling that the world around you, including things or people, is not real. Dissociation is a general term for detachment. Depersonalization is a specific sense of detachment from the self and one’s identity. People who experience these conditions may feel like they are in a dreamlike, foggy state or as though they are viewing the world through a partition.
Derealization, dissociation, and depersonalization all vary in intensity. These conditions can cause a severe fracture in identity and even cause people to feel as though they are someone else. It can also give people the sensation of watching themselves from a distance, such as having an out-of-body experience. While it’s not clear why such conditions arise, they are linked to trauma. Withdrawing from one’s body is often used as a way to escape from overwhelming negative feelings in times of stress, violence, or trauma. However, detaching from oneself and the world too often can cause lasting issues.
It’s natural to feel frustrated with yourself if you cannot maintain a grasp on your body and mind. However, your body is trying to protect you. Try to take comfort in the fact that derealization might be a coping mechanism even though it is not healthy in the long run. Dissociating from the world may cause temporary relief, but it’s likely to be very harmful in the long run. People who dissociate can have difficulty differentiating between reality and dreams. This can severely impact relationships, work, and safety. It can also lead to memory gaps, a feeling of losing control, and obsessive behavior.
Derealization is also affected by drug use. Additionally, it can co-occur with other mental health conditions including depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobic disorder, and migraines. There are dissociation and depersonalization disorders that occur when derealization takes over one’s life. As with any condition, it’s necessary to identify what you are feeling to overcome it. Working with a doctor or trained mental health professional can help people understand why they are disconnecting from the world and themselves to better figure out how to prevent this from occurring. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one way to rewire how the brain thinks, while medication is also an option.
L’appel du vide is something that many people have likely experienced. Maybe it’s just a haunting moment when you consider the possibilities of the void. However, consistently disconnecting from reality is not healthy. Often, people who experience derealization, dissociation, and/or depersonalization don’t consciously disconnect from their lives. Something likely started to force the person to fracture part of themselves, possibly for protection. But just as how parts of oneself can be split, these pieces can also be mended. Understanding your derealization in a safe setting can clarify the boundary between fantasy and reality to ground a person in their own life and prevent the void from taking over.
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