Being a teenager is all about a person trying to figure out who they are and what type of future they picture for themselves. It’s a time of trying to establish a strong sense of self. No matter where they are in their self-discovery journey, it’s always concerning to hear your teen say, “I just don’t feel like myself.”

If your teen says they don’t feel like their usual self or they feel like they’re an outsider in their own life, they may have symptoms of depersonalization-derealization disorder. This mental health condition is a dissociative disorder. It can make a person feel disconnected from their body, their emotions and the real world around them. 

Depersonalization comes from feeling disconnected from oneself or like a person is outside of themselves. Derealization means that a person feels like the surrounding world isn’t real. These feelings can occur either together or on their own.

If your teen feels detached from themselves and their environment, it can interfere with their academic success, relationships and overall quality of life for years to come. The good news is that there are tips and tricks that may help them manage their symptoms.

5 ways for teens to manage depersonalization-derealization disorder symptoms

If your teen is showing a lack of emotion or having concentration issues in school or they tell you that they feel like they’re in a dream, talk to their doctor. They can determine a potential depersonalization-derealization disorder diagnosis. They may also refer your child to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. Depersonalization-derealization disorder is often treated with therapy. While medications are sometimes used to address co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression, there are currently no medications specifically approved by the FDA for the treatment of depersonalization-derealization disorder.

Along with the right treatment plan, here are five tips for your teen to keep in mind as they try to manage their depersonalization-derealization disorder symptoms on a day-to-day basis:

• Turn to art — Hobbies can help teens figure out what they’re good at and build confidence in their abilities. Many hobbies center on the arts, including drawing, playing music, dancing and creative writing. When your teen is experiencing a depersonalization episode, art can help them reconnect with their feelings. They’re also expressing them in a way that brings them joy. Art can help your teen reduce their stress, which is a common trigger for depersonalization-derealization disorder symptoms.
• Become educated — Learning about depersonalization-derealization disorder can help your teen gain a deeper understanding of their mental health challenges. You can work together as a team to learn about the ins and outs of the disorder. Learn how it affects behaviors and potential triggers. Education can make a disorder diagnosis less frightening while also validating your teen’s experiences.
• Take a walk — Getting fresh air plays a significant role in your teen’s mental health. It can boost the hormones that help with mood regulation, such as serotonin. If they’re experiencing depersonalization-derealization disorder symptoms, recommend taking a walk together. It can stimulate their senses, such as the smell of grass and the breeze on their skin. This can reduce their detachment from both their bodies and their environment.
• Name their emotions — When your teen is experiencing depersonalization-derealization disorder symptoms, it may be their body’s defense against stress or trauma. If they’re feeling overwhelmed by their negative thoughts and emotions, their brain may just try to block these out completely, which can lead to detachment. Instead of pushing them away, help your teen acknowledge and name their emotions. It can reduce the overwhelm that’s causing symptoms. It can also help them feel more in tune with themselves.
• Talk it out — We’ve already mentioned that a psychotherapist can help your teen’s depersonalization-derealization disorder. However, there’s plenty of support that they can gain from the people around them as well. Be sure they know that they can talk to you about their struggles without judgment. They can also call a friend or try a support group. Anytime they are experiencing depersonalization, opening up can help them feel heard and cared for.

Lightfully Teen can help your teen navigate their depersonalization-derealization disorder symptoms

Dissociative disorders like depersonalization-derealization disorder can affect every part of a teen’s life. That’s why they should be provided with effective mental health support and treatment. With the right tools, they can make progress on their mental health journey.

If your teen would benefit from care beyond medication and regular therapy appointments, our three levels of care are worth exploring. At Lightfully Teen, we offer Residential Treatment, a Partial Hospitalization Program and an Intensive Outpatient Program for teens with dissociative disorders.

We help treat every part of a teen, not just their symptoms. We use our Precision Care Model to help them address the core processes that are at the center of their challenges:

• Difficulty with emotions
• Difficulty with thoughts
• Difficulty with behaviors
• Difficulty with relationships

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step to help your teen, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.