Depersonalisation

Question 1

What is depersonalisation?

Answer 1

Disturbing sense of being separate from oneself, observing oneself from the outside, or feeling like a robot or automation

Question 2

What is derealisation?

Answer 2

Threatening sense of unfamiliarity or unreality in the environment, perceptual anomalies may be present

Question 3

How is depersonalisation managed?

Answer 3

CBT
Attention retraining (focus more outside than in)
TMS -(applied to VLPFC)
Lamotrigine

Question 4

What does diary analysis CBT involve?

Answer 4

Log daily experience including episodes of depersonalisation. Note factors such as stress mood activities and score the level of depersonalisation

Look for patterns

Question 5

What did Philips and Medford find in 2001 study?

Answer 5

Emotional modulation of sensory cortex is suppressed in depersonalisation patients

Right VLPFC is active in DP patients experiencing aversive stimuli, insula and visual cortex less active

Question 6

What is the role of the insulation in rmptional rrsppnse?

Answer 6

Integrating bodily sensations into emotional feeling states

Particular role in disgust, but most emotions too

Question 7

What other conditions is depersonalisation common in?

Answer 7

PTSD
Schizophrenia
Emotionally unstable personality disorder