Depersonalisation/derealisation disorder
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Barkha ChikaraChief Medical Officer, MD (Psychiatry) from NIMHANS · Last reviewed October 2026Depersonalisation and derealisation are persistent or repeated feelings of being detached from your own mind or body, or that the world around you is unreal or foggy. You know it is a feeling, not reality. It is often triggered by anxiety or stress, and it is treatable.
About 1 in 10 adults in India lives with a mental disorder (National Mental Health Survey, 2015-16). You are not alone.
At a glance
Common signs
- Feeling detached from one's thoughts or body
- Feeling like an outside observer of oneself
- World appearing foggy or unreal
- Emotional numbness
How it is usually treated
- CBT targeting depersonalisation
- Treatment of co-occurring anxiety or depression
- SSRI medication
- Mindfulness approaches
Where to start
A free pre-consultation call, then a video assessment with a psychiatrist. In danger? Call 112, or Tele-MANAS on 14416.
Book your free pre-consultation callRegistered clinicians: psychiatrists with their State Medical Council, psychologists with the Rehabilitation Council of India.
Signs
Tick any that feel familiar. This is not a diagnosis, only a clinician can assess you.
0 ticked. If these have been with you for a while, a free pre-consultation call is a good next step.
Book your free pre-consultation callHow people often describe it
- “I feel like I am watching myself from outside”
- “The world feels unreal or foggy”
- “I feel numb and detached from my body”
- “It feels like I am in a dream”
People who live with depersonalisation/derealisation disorder may also notice depression, generalised anxiety or PTSD. If any of these sound familiar, mention them to your clinician so your plan can cover them.
When to get help soon
Get help soon if symptoms came on suddenly with confusion, headache, weakness or after a head injury. Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. Call Tele-MANAS on 14416 if you have thoughts of harming yourself.
How it is diagnosed
A doctor checks for medical and substance causes, and a psychiatrist looks at anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use, including cannabis, which can trigger it.
Treatment and support
- CBT that targets the unhelpful focus on the feeling
- Treating related anxiety and depression
- Grounding skills and carefully adapted mindfulness
- Reducing cannabis and other substances
- Stress and sleep management
How Mindly helps
Mindly's psychiatrists assess the experience and agree a plan with you, including what may be triggering it. All care is online, by video.
Your first appointment
A psychiatrist listens at a pace you can manage, and asks about experiences of feeling detached, memory gaps and past stress.
Who is involved
A psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist work together, with a focus on safety, grounding and building trust.
Between sessions
Reviews are gentle and paced, and the plan is adjusted as you feel more steady.
What to expect
- Free pre-consultation callWe take your history and details, and match you with the right clinician.
- First consultationA video call in your language, with a clinician who already has your report.
- Your planYour clinician agrees a plan with you: therapy, medicine or both, as suits you.
- Follow-up reviewsRegular check-ins, and your plan is adjusted as you recover.
- Staying wellSupport to keep you well and catch early signs of a setback.
Every Mindly plan includes a second opinion from our Chief Medical Officer, a diagnosis-first approach and regular tracking of your recovery. How Mindly care works
Book your free pre-consultation callYour privacy and confidentiality. What you share with Mindly Health stays between you and your care team. Your conversations, reports and messages are treated as confidential and shared only with the team members involved in your care, apart from the limited cases where the law requires it or someone's safety is at serious risk. Read our Privacy Policy and your rights under the Mental Healthcare Act.
Common questions
Am I going crazy if I feel unreal?
No. These feelings are a recognised response to stress or anxiety and do not mean you are losing your mind.
Will it go away?
Many people improve, especially when the trigger is treated.
What triggers it?
Anxiety, severe stress, lack of sleep, substances such as cannabis and trauma.
Clinicians with a focus in this area
- Dr. Barkha ChikaraCo-Founder & Chief Medical Officer, Psychiatrist
Dr. Divya GurunathanPsychiatrist - Women's Mental Health & Child Psychiatry
Muskan Jain DesaiClinical Psychologist
Online care in your city
Every consultation is by video, from wherever you are. Choose your city to see how it works.