Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Depersonalization (Hunter, Phillips, Chalder, Sierra, David, 2003)

Depersonalization Disorder (DPD) is a chronic condition in which an individual experiences frequent or unremitting detachment from themselves, disrupting the normally integrated sense of self. Critically, people experiencing DPD are not delusional: they retain insight, and their awareness of the disjunction between the observing self and the embodied self causes significant distress (Hunger et al, 2003; Medford et al, 2005). 

Core symptoms of DPD include:

• Depersonalization (DP). A sense of unreality and detachment from oneself. The normal integrated sense of self – mind and body – is disrupted so that individuals feel detached from their thoughts, their bodies and their experiences. Individuals often report watching themselves from a tunnel, behind glass or through a window.
• Derealization (DR). The world feels unfamiliar and artificial. The external world may appear flat or two dimensional, lack colour or appear black and white. Objects do not appear solid, or appear larger or smaller than they actually are

• Client handout – use as a psychoeducation and skills-development resource
• Discussion point – use to provoke a discussion and explore client beliefs
• Therapist learning tool – improve your familiarity with a psychological construct
• Teaching resource – use as a learning tool during training

• Baker et al (2003) Depersonalisation disorder: clinical features of 204 cases. British Journal of Psychiatry, 182, p428-433.
• Carlson, E. B. & Putnam, F.W. (1993) An update on the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Dissociation, 6, 16-27.
• Ciaunica, A., Hesp, C., Seth, A., Limanowski, J., & Friston, K. (2021, February 23). I overthink—therefore I am not: Altered Sense of Self in Depersonalisation Disorder. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/k9d2n
• Hunter, E. C. M., Phillips, M. L., Chalder, T., Sierra, M., & David, A. S. (2003). Depersonalisation disorder: a cognitive–behavioural conceptualisation. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41(12), 1451-1467.
• Hunter, E. C., Baker, D., Phillips, M. L., Sierra, M., & David, A. S. (2005). Cognitive-behaviour therapy for depersonalisation disorder: an open study. Behaviour research and therapy, 43(9), 1121-1130.
• Hunter, E. C., Salkovskis, P. M., & David, A. S. (2014). Attributions, appraisals and attention for symptoms in depersonalisation disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 53, 20-29.
• Medford, N., Sierra, M., Baker, D., & David, A. S. (2005). Understanding and