Depersonalization: A New Look at a Neglected Syndrome

Citation

Johnson, N. (2013), "Depersonalization: A New Look at a Neglected Syndrome", Social Care and Neurodisability, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 48-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/20420911311302317

This is a well‐constructed and detailed book that makes reading on the topic of depersonalisation for the first time very enjoyable.

Depersonalization is described as having a central feature of feeling of being outside of oneself without any sense of control. Some people often describe the sensation as observing themselves from outside of their body. Other sensations of depersonalization may include feeling un‐human or robot‐like, feeling foreign or unrecognizable to one, feeling invisible or unreal.

The concepts underpinning depersonalisation within this book are well researched and span research from 1835s onwards. I was surprise to observe that the references for each chapter are at the end of each chapter this is very distracting to what is a very excellent well‐structured theoretical book.

This book comprises of eight chapters, Chapter 1 takes us through the histories of depersonalisation and touches upon the interplay between depersonalisation and derealization and making a case for distinguishing between the two. This distinction is necessary as the two concepts are intertwined with over lapping symptoms. Where depersonalization focuses on one's sense of self, derealization focuses on one's sense of his or her surroundings. Sufferers often describe the sensation of derealization as being in a dream‐like state where the environment seems unreal, foggy or hazy. Other sensations of derealization may include feeling cutoff from one's surroundings, feeling like being trapped in a glass bubble, and feeling like surrounding objects are unreal or cartoon‐like.

Through the use of strong evidence and research this association and difference, the reader is encouraged to conceptualise these more clearly. Both Chapters 1 and 2 give a clear history by using descriptions of symptoms to confirm what depersonalisation is. However, I found that there was a degree of repetitiveness regarding the discussion about the discipline of depersonalisation.

There a repetitive nature in the book in relation to the symptomology despite this being comprehensive and based on a review of detailed research. The book shows its authenticity by using quotations in the original language/text. This can, however, slow down the readability of this book for readers who do not have competency in reading (e.g. French). This distraction can take away some of the comprehension of the heart of the matter in understanding the meaning making of the text.

Despite these reservations, overall this book is a delightful easy to read book that pulled no punches in differentiating the difference and similarities between depersonalisation and other mental illnesses. Giving attention to these differences is paramount to the books validity as it is essential to understand these differentiations in order to gain an understanding of what depersonalization is.

Chapter 8 discussed treatments including rationalised specific treatment, as well as insights into a number of real life experiences of what such treatments have meant for clients experiencing this phenomenon I thought that these service user insights provided a significant strength of the book. The discussion is not only based on modern times but draws on the historical trends in treatments and successfully demonstrates that depersonalisation is an illness that has walked the path of mental illness from the last century.

Depersonalisation has embedded itself in giving meaning to an illness that can be an isolated phenomena or a symptom of a major mental illness either way this book offers hope those that are affected.

Having references after each chapter I have found to be distracting and in some ways reflects the ambiguous nature of depersonalisation as an illness regards to some of the problems in gaining a diagnosis and prescribing treatment, i.e. depersonalisation is not standard diagnosis that one looks for and like the reference after each chapter one has to teased and remember in order to get to the a particular reference.

This book is both perplexing and interesting at the same time. Overall, I would recommend this book as excellently researched and beautifully written and an essential read for anyone working with people who experience depersonalisation.