My Life in Flux 119 © The Mirrorball Man
Today’s Word of the Week is depersonalization, chosen because I have, over the last several months, begun to feel more and more disconnected from my body, the world and life in general. As such, I wished to take a look at what depersonalization is as well as how the brilliant artists on deviantART and Flickr have interpreted the subject.
Depersonalization (or depersonalisation) is an anomaly of self-awareness. It consists of a feeling of watching oneself act, while having no control over a situation. Subjects feel they have changed, and the world has become vague, dreamlike, less real, or lacking in significance.
Individuals who experience depersonalization feel divorced from their own personal physicality by sensing their body sensations, feelings, emotions and behaviors as not belonging to the same person or identity. Often a person who has experienced depersonalization claims things seem unreal.
It is the third most common psychological symptom, after feelings of anxiety and depression.
~ Wikipedia ~Depersonalization Disorder © Janine (Flickr)
Depersonalization © Bluucat (deviantART)
Depersonalization © EmberPhoenix
“Louise often feels like part of her is “acting.” At the same time , “there is another part ‘inside’ that is not connecting with the me that is talking to you,” she says. When the depersonalization is at its most intense, she feels like she just doesn’t exist. These experiences leave her confused about who she really is, and quite often, she feels like an “actress” or simply, “a fake.”
~ Daphne Simeon ~
Depersonalization © Every Broken Bone (Flickr)
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Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of any of the artwork featured in this post. All images are copyright to the respective artists, as indicated above. All care has been taken to respect the wishes of the artists as per their deviantART and/or Flickr profile in terms of sharing work, but should offense be taken by its inclusion, please contact me and I will remove it forthwith.
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Other words I have explored in my Wednesday ‘Word of the Week‘ series are:
| HOPE |
All that I am, all that I ever was... 
April 14, 2013 at 7:02 am
I never knew there was a word for that. In a way it makes it easier to accept, because knowing I’m not the only one who has ever experienced this makes me feel …dare I say, “normal”, & not quite such a freak.
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April 14, 2013 at 9:44 am
I don’t know much detailed information about depersonalization, other than what I’ve quoted here from online reading, but it is certainly a strange and disconcerting experience. What surprised me was it being the third most common symptom after anxiety and depression.
I’m glad this makes you feel more normal (as I’m pretty sure you’re no more a freak than anyone else!) :)
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