Feeling Unreal: Depersonalization Disorder and the Loss of the Self

Imagine that your mind is cut off from feelings, and the past and future do not evoke any emotions. Thoughts march by while you watch yourself as if from the side, and the only emotion you are capable of is the fear of going crazy. Emptiness and numbness corrode from the inside… Life turns into a gimmick, behind the facade of which lies a mana.

Depersonalization disorder — a feeling of loss of self, emotions and feelings — first gained wide publicity thanks to the Hollywood film “Numb” starring Matthew Perry. And thanks to new scientific research and the rapid development of social networks, this little-known condition has finally come out of the shadows.

“The Sense of Unreality” is the first thorough work that explores not only depersonalization (DDD), but also philosophical, literary, religious and spiritual reflections on the consequences of a sense of loss of self. Jeffrey Abeugel and Daphne Simeon present the latest research, possible treatments, and strategies for living when life feels “unreal.” Their book provides long-awaited answers for people with ADHD, their loved ones, mental health professionals, and anyone who studies the condition.

However, the condition still lacks recognition, is not always known or recognized in the medical and psychiatric communities, and Feeling Unreal is a wake-up call for the medical community as well.