How Should Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder Be Handled?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I have had a series of panic attacks which have left me with a depersonalization/derealization disorder. I feel detached from myself and my surroundings. All of my emotions have changed, and nothing feels real. I doubt all existence, including myself. I have even started questioning God. That was my worst fear. I can’t help the way I feel. I feel better from two weeks ago and have seen my practicing Muslim doctor. He prescribed me antidepressants which I’m not sure have helped much. He says it is all due to anxiety and chemical imbalance. I don’t want to lose my Islam.

Answer

Thank you for your question. I empathize with your pain and suffering. Depersonalization-derealization disorder is very serious and difficult to function with. May Allah guide you through this tough time and help you heal.

A Quick Summary

Symptoms of depersonalization include:

• Feelings that you’re an outside observer of your thoughts, feelings, your body, or parts of your body — for example as if you were floating in the air above yourself;
• Feeling like a robot or that you’re not in control of your speech or movements;
• The sense that your body, legs or arms appear distorted, enlarged or shrunken, or that your head is wrapped in cotton;
• Emotional or physical numbness of your senses or responses to the world around you;
• A sense that your memories lack emotion, and that they may or may not be your own memories.

• Feelings of being alienated from or unfamiliar with your surroundings — for example, like you’re living in a movie or a dream
• Feeling emotionally disconnected from people you care about, as if you were separated by a glass wall
• Surroundings that appear distorted, blurry, colorless, two-dimensional or artificial, or a heightened awareness and clarity of your surroundings
• Distortions in perception of time, such as recent events feeling like distant past
• Distortions of distance and the size and shape of objects

Seeing Doctor Regularly

When you feel that these feelings often recur, interfere with your work and relationships, or disturb you emotionally, it is time to see a doctor. Alhamdulillah, you have done this, please continue to see your doctor regularly. Suggest to your doctor to treat you with talk therapy. Other beneficial treatments include homeopathy and diet changes. Consider using natural and allopathic medicine together.

From a religious viewpoint, regard this as a trial that you must overcome, a test of your faith. The mere fact that you are fearing the worst about the existence of God, shows that you have definite certainty and utmost belief in Him, Most High. This a complete sign of faith.

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that some people from amongst the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah and bless him peace, came to him and said, “Verily we perceive in our minds that which every one of us considers it too grave to express. He (the Prophet) said, ‘Do you really perceive it?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ Upon this he remarked, ‘That is the faith manifest.’” [Muslim]

First, the best defense against any mental health issue is religion. Be sure to -pray five times a day, pay your zakat, give in charity at least every week, eat only the halal, learn your personally obligatory knowledge, ready some Quran daily and pray tahajjud in the last third of the night.

Secondly, these other tips can help as well:

• Read aloud to yourself to help you focus;
• Listen to Islamic songs (qasidas) and recite dhikr (remembrance of Allah);
• Cut out caffeine;
• Get up early, shower and exercise, take your supplements;
• Go to bed early, as per the sunna;
• Practice a hobby, whether a sport or other activity, distraction is important;
• Don’t overreact to having a good day or a bad day;
• Don’t avoid doing an activity or seeing people. The more you expose yourself, the better;
• Be social, see religious family and friends and most of all, offer a service or  voluntary charity to those in need. Seeing that others are not as well as off as you in the material world can often help as well.

Most of all, remember that every single thing that happens to you is good. The Prophet said, “Wondrous is the affair of the believer for there is good for him in every matter and this is not the case with anyone except the believer. If he is happy, then he thanks Allah and thus there is good for him, and if he is harmed, then he shows patience and thus there is good for him.” [Muslim]

Please recite the following 15 duas from the following link, daily, and by memory if possible, in order to help you along this path. May Allah reward you infinitely for your struggle and dedication and give you the best you could hope for and more.

Selected Prophetic Prayers for Spiritual, Physical and Emotional Wellbeing by Chaplain Ibrahim Long

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.