Understand what causes depersonalization disorder and how you can overcome it
'The first of its kind, this self-help book will offer guidance, help and solace to the many sufferers of depersonalization disorder.'
Daphne Simeon, Depersonalisation and Dissociation Program, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York
Depersonalization disorder can make you feel detached from life and many people describe feeling 'emotionally numb', unreal, or even as if their body doesn't belong to them. It can be a symptom of another problem such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and, particularly, of panic disorder, or of an illness like epilepsy or migraine. It can also occur in its own right and/or as a side effect of certain drugs.
This self-help book, written by leading experts, will help you to understand what causes depersonalization disorder and what can keep it going, and will introduce you to effective strategies to overcome it:
Based on clinically proven cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques
Clear and accessible step-by-step exercises and tools, including diary-keeping and thought records
ELAINE HUNTER, DAWN BAKER and EMMA LAWRENCE are clinical psychologists and ANTHONY DAVID is a psychiatrist, all of whom have worked with individuals experiencing depersonalization problems at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London. Contributing author NICK MEDFORD is a consultant neuropsychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital. Contributing author MAURICIO SIERRA is a psychiatrist based in Colombia.
Overcoming self-help guides use clinically proven techniques to treat long-standing and disabling conditions, both psychological and physical. Many guides in the Overcoming series are recommended under the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme.
Series Editor: Professor Peter Cooper

Dawn Baker (Author)
Dawn Baker is a clinical psychologist and trained therapist in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). She has worked at the Depersonalisation Research Unit at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, developing a psychological model of depersonalization disorder as well as treatment and management strategies. She currently works in private practice in Spain.
Elaine Hunter (Author)
Elaine Hunter is a consultant clinical psychologist specialising in cognitive behavioural therapy. She developed CBT for Depersonalization/Derealisation Disorder (DPRD), has published numerous academic and clinical research papers, and given national and international workshops on working with DPRD. She currently is the clinical lead of the Depersonalisation Disorder Service at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
Emma Lawrence (Author)
Emma Lawrence is a clinical psychologist with a particular interest in mind-body interactions and is currently working in a physical health setting employed by Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. Prior to this she was a Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, conducting research on emotion processing and regulation to include work on depersonalization. In addition, she has twice been awarded the Public Engagement with Psychology grant by the British Psychological Society.
Anthony David (Author)
Anthony David is Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry at the IoPPN and a consultant psychiatrist. He set up and heads the Depersonalisation Disorders Clinic at the Maudsley Hospital, London.