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Tomorrow I will post an article about CBT for dp. (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). I found it on an online medical journal. Here is the abstract:

Depersonalisation (DP) and derealisation (DR) are subjective experiences of unreality in, respectively, one?s sense of self and the outside world. These experiences occur on a continuum from transient episodes that are frequently reported in healthy individuals under certain situational conditions to a chronic psychiatric disorder that causes considerable distress (depersonalisation disorder, DPD). Despite the relatively high rates of reporting these symptoms, little research has been conducted into psychological treatments for this disorder. We suggest that there is compelling evidence to link DPD with the anxiety disorders, particularly panic. This paper proposes that it is the catastrophic appraisal of the normally transient symptoms of DP/DR that results in the development of a chronic disorder. We suggest that if DP/DR symptoms are misinterpreted as indicative of severe mental illness or brain dysfunction, a vicious cycle of increasing anxiety and consequently increased DP/DR symptoms will result. Moreover, cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms such as specific avoidances, ?safety behaviours? and cognitive biases serve to maintain the disorder by increasing awareness of the symptoms, heightening the perceived threat and preventing disconfirmation of the catastrophic misinterpretations. A coherent model facilitates the development of potentially effective cognitive and behavioural interventions
 
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Wow, seem very interesting. I can't wait to read this.

Does it comes from Dp unit? Because I think in their book (upcoming) they talk of a CBT approach.
 

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You can post the title, author, etc. What journal.

You know, I buy this 100%. I have noticed that over time, and with my intense behavioral therapy these past four months, more "control" of chronic DP/DR. I wonder if I'll ever be able to be free of it.

Amazing, but this makes perfect sense.

You can post the basic info re: the article. It should be on PubMed. Yes, what's the date?
I believe if I'd had a supportive enviornment, vs. chaos and verbal abuse, and behavioral therapy early on, I would have had a far better outcome, and wouldn't be just getting better at age 46. :evil:
 
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Hunter, E.C., Baker, D., Phillips, M., Sierra, M., & David, A.S., (2005 in press) Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Depersonalisation Disorder: An Open Study. Behaviour Research and Therapy.

Depersonalisation (DP) and Derealisation (DR) are subjective experiences of
unreality in, respectively, one's sense of self and the outside world.
These experiences occur on a continuum from transient episodes that are frequently reported in healthy individuals to a chronic psychiatric disorder that causes considerable distress (Depersonalisation Disorder: DPD). Despite the relatively high rates of reporting these symptoms, little research has been conducted into psychological treatments for this disorder. We report on an open study where 21 patients with DPD were treated individually with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The therapy involved helping the patients re-interpret their symptoms in a non-threatening way as well as reducing avoidances, safety behaviors and symptom monitoring. Significant improvements in patient-defined measures of DP/DR severity as well as standardised measures of dissociation,
depression, anxiety and general functioning were found at post-treatment and six months follow-up. Moreover, there were significant reductions in clinician ratings on the Present State Examination (Wing et al, 1974), and 29% of participants no longer met criteria for DPD at the end of therapy. These initial results suggest that a CBT approach to DPD may be effective,but further trials with larger sample sizes and more rigorous research methodology are needed to determine the specificity of this approach.

this must be in the future book about Dp disorder in 2006....
 
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Depersonalization--current data]Can J Psychiatry. 2005 Feb;50(2):101-7. Related Articles, Links

[Article in French]

Khazaal Y, Zimmermann G, Zullino DF.

Departement Universitaire de Psychiatrie Adulte, Hopital de Cery, Prilly-Lausanne. [email protected]

OBJECTIVE: Depersonalization is a fascinating clinical phenomenon referring to a self-consciousness disorder, characterized by emotional detachment from one's own feelings, thoughts, or actions. This article intends to summarize the current literature in this area. METHOD: Using the Medline data base, we reviewed literature addressing the clinical, etiology, nosology, physiopathology, and treatment of depersonalization. CONCLUSIONS: Derealization means that perception of the world and of external reality are altered. These 2 phenomena are often associated. They are not specific to any psychiatric entity and are reported in many different psychiatric syndromes. Many factors, including use of different substances, are involved in their onset. The physiopathology is still little known. However, some conceptual models suggest partial amygdala inhibition combined with activation of other amygdaloid structures. A serotoninergic functioning impairment is indicated in different pharmacologic studies. Different psychotropic drugs, especially serotoninergic antidepressants, have been proposed for pharmacotherapy; however, there are no conclusive randomized studies, and the contribution of psychotherapy in treating these patients is still questioned.

(The french article is more complete about treatments, if you want it en English, maybe write to the email above. It's a new article.)
Thanks!
 

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Allure30 said:
OBJECTIVE: Depersonalization is a fascinating clinical phenomenon referring to a self-consciousness disorder, characterized by emotional detachment from one's own feelings, thoughts, or actions.
I don't know if "fascinating" would be the word I would use to describe DP! :?
 
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Yes, Kelson, I agree!!!! :?

Maybe for the doctors they find is fascinating, because there is no clear answer yet. :shock:

What I have read in the paper is complex.

They put some substance that can induce DP : MCPP, seroquel, Prozac, reboxetine, sleep pills, benzos, betabloquers, ketamine, psilocybin, alcohol and pot. But some of those meds are used to treat DP...
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-There was 1 case study with Prozac, that showed great clinic improvment between 3 and 11 weeks (6 on 8 patients got better) I know the DP units often precribe this med in combo with Lamictal now.

-There is one case study too with Paxil 40 mg, that showed improvement.

-There is one case study with anafranil too, 3 on 7 patients got better.

-And there is Lamictal all positives responses with a SSRI. (40 to 80 % better)

But in reality they USE benzos to help Dp symptoms too, and anti-psychotics sometimes. So it's hard to understand really... :?

I also have read that DP is included in a variety of symptoms, like panic, OCD, mood disorders, depression, schizo, borderline personality, eating disorders, and the factors that could participate as a trigger of DP is lack of sleep, fear of death, stress, meditation (...). Organic problems can also cause DP : headaches and epilepsy, cranial traumas (...)

Anyway, I can't translate a lot because it's very complicated, but it would be great to have this paper in English.

Thanks
 
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