What is "derealization"

alt. (context psychology English) The psychological symptom in which the world appears to be unreal, and the patient has a sense of detachment from it n. (context psychology English) The psychological symptom in which the world appears to be unreal, and the patient has a sense of detachment from it

Derealization or derealisation (sometimes abbreviated as DR) is an alteration in the perception or experience of the external world so that it seems unreal. Other symptoms include feeling as though one's environment is lacking in spontaneity, emotional colouring and depth. It is both a dissociative symptom of many conditions, such as psychiatric and neurological disorders, and a standalone disorder (see below).

Derealization is a subjective experience of unreality of the outside world, while depersonalization is sense of unreality in one's personal self. Although most authors currently regard derealization (surroundings) and depersonalization (self) as independent constructs, many do not want to separate derealization from depersonalization. The main reason for this is nosological, because these symptoms often co-occur, but there is another, more philosophical reason: the idea that the phenomenological experience of self, others, and world is one continuous whole. Thus, feelings of unreality may blend in and the person may puzzle over deciding whether it is the self or the world that feels unreal to them.

Chronic derealization may be caused by occipital– temporal dysfunction. These symptoms are common in the population, with a lifetime prevalence of up to 5% and 31–66% at the time of a traumatic event.