Causes

The causes of depersonalization can be traced to many things. To make things simpler, we will classify these causes into pharmacological (medicine / drug induced) or situational:
Situational:

  • Stress - The experience of emotionally stressful situations could give rise to depersonalization episodes, especially to those who have already had them in the past.
  • Anxiety - The anxiety surrounding stressful events and other situations could also precipitate, trigger or worsen a depersonalization. Even the anxiety of getting another future depersonalization episode could be enough o trigger this scary cycle.
  • Sleep deprivation - Lack of sleep can induce lightheadedness and the other major symptoms associated with depersonalization.
  • Psychological Trauma - Most depersonalization suffers start to have depersonalization episodes after a major psychological trauma like childhood abuse, accidents, war and other forms of mental and emotional torture.
    by Bastet777
    I am now 46 and I still have depersonalization episodes occasionally. It all started when I was about 10. I have a history of satanic ritual abuse. I began to get the DP symptoms along with nightmares and dream flashbacks. It was very scary.
  • Migraine - Migraine headaches could also be a situational cause of these feelings of detachment. An attack of migraine usually precipitates the depersonalization syndrome in some patients.
  • Epilepsy - This neural disorder could also trigger the depersonalization due to its effects on the sensory parts of the nervous system. It can also contribute to the neurotransmitter imbalances seen in this dissociative disease.
  • Interoceptive exposure therapies - The symptoms of depersonalization can also be triggered artificially through a behavioral technique used in the treatment of panic disorder. It consists of a series of exercises designed to bring about the physical sensations of a panic attack. Sometimes, this is also used as a military strategy in enhancing the preparedness of the troops.
  • Caffeine - The caffeine component of coffee and other caffeine containing food and drinks could potentially cause a depersonalization episode. Caffeine has a stimulant effect on the body’s nervous system and lead to the symptoms associated with this disorder.
    by Blobfish
    I figured out that my DP episodes are made worse by drinking coffee excessively. I needed it during my travels that’s why I take quite a lot of caffeine. The symptoms do not occur immediately with coffee drinking but got worse the more I drink.
    • Even alcohol and those late night drinking binges could potentially lead to your depersonalization. Alcohol can bring about the feeling of detachment and other physiologic symptoms seen in this disorder.

Pharmacological (Medicine / Drug Induced Depersonalization)
Benzodiazepine overdose or Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome – Benzodiazepine is a drug that has a variety of medical and psychological uses. It is used in the treatment of anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizure relief and even as an adjunct in alcohol withdrawal protocols. This psychoactive medication has been documented to exhibit these depersonalization like side effects even in regular doses.
Cannabis or Marijuana (the “weed”) – The “weed” is popular for its profound psychoactive effects that mimic the symptoms of depersonalization. Most often, people who engage in marijuana use are doing this for the experience of detachment and the feeling of “high” associated with the use of this substance. by monster12348 The Depersonalization all started with my marijuana use. I basically had a marijuana session and the next morning I felt weird and all those symptoms followed. Shortened Version: Situational Causes: Anxiety
Stress
Sleep deprivation
Psychological Trauma
Migraine
Epilepsy
Interoceptive exposure therapies
Caffeine
Alcohol

Pharmacological (Medicine / Drug Induced Depersonalization) Causes:
Benzodiazepine overdose or Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
Cannabis or Marijuana (the “weed”)
Tags:
Depersonalization causes, depersonalization cause

What can Worsen the Condition

Forum postings are also rich in resources that tell people first hand information on what makes the DP worse.

by dpdude
Ruminating on the condition and the negative state that you have will only make matters worse. You need to try to keep the faith that one day you will see the road to recovery.