Clients' reaction to this view of Depersonalization/Derealization

When I initially posted my views of depersonalization/derealization, a number of individuals with Depersonalization Disorder expressed reactions to my post about depersonalization, either by posting them here in the forum or by communicating with me directly. Since this is a forum for professionals, the posts by non-professionals are removed fairly promptly. However, some of the comments are worth summarizing.

Some said that my explanation made sense and fit well with their experiences, others angrily said that I was completely wrong and understood nothing. Most of the angry responses came from individuals who thought I was saying that Depersonalization Disorder is no big deal, that a trivial problem, or that is "all in your head." These are common misunderstandings when one presents a simple explanation of a phenomenon which has been a major problem for the individual. If you look at what I actually say in my previous post, this isn't what I'm saying at all.

Individuals with Depersonalization Disorder often have encountered many people who have tried to convince them that it's all in their head and that they should just "get over it." When you introduce the idea that cognition plays an important role in the problem, they may well jump to the conclusion that you think this as well. Obviously, it is important to make it clear that you understand that this really is a significant problem for them and that you are taking them seriously.

A number of the persons making angry responses said that medication had been helpful to them. I haven't commented on medication for Depersonalization disorder since that is a topic about which I am not particularly knowledgeable. If medication helps, that obviously is a good thing. Most of the clients I have worked with have reported that the medications they had tried had not been very helpful.

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