Understanding Depersonalization and Derealization

Depersonalization and derealization are disorders characterized by persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached or disconnected from oneself. This blog post shares the personal experience of Noah, a brave individual who experienced depersonalization after a rare reaction to a vaccine, VIVITROL. In a desperate plea for viewers to share his story and spread awareness about these disorders, he delves into how he coped with his symptoms, ultimately finding the road to recovery.

The Impact of Depersonalization: A Personal Account
On May 18, 2011, Noah's life drastically changed after a rare reaction to the VIVITROL vaccine, which catalyzed a chain reaction, sparking an extreme bout of depersonalization. He spiraled into a major, agitated, suicidal depression, losing 25 lbs in 4 weeks. He consistently felt panicked or near-panic for eight straight weeks, coupled with excruciatingly painful depression. Due to his mental condition, he had to stop working and move in with his parents, where he was constantly supervised due to suicidal tendencies, and eventually had to be hospitalized.

Treatment and Battle with Resistant Depression
Noah tried a comprehensive range of treatments, including several types of SSRI's, SNRI's, Tricyclics, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, holistic medicines, acupuncture, and even a shock therapy form called RTMS. Despite the valiant efforts, there was no significant improvement in his condition for an entire year. He was diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, which meant surviving every day seemed unbearable, and he spent his days in tears.

The Turning Point: Discovering Underlying Medical Issues
In a final effort to find a solution, Noah's doctors performed a blood test which revealed that his Testosterone levels were significantly lower than normal for a 25-year-old male. A typical male at his age has 750 ng/Dl, but Noah's results came back as 200 ng/Dl and 150 ng/Dl. This discovery was the first plausible explanation he had for his condition, and it provided a glimmer of hope for potential treatment.

Depersonalization and derealization can be debilitating disorders, challenging to understand, and demanding to treat. However, like Noah, it’s important to explore all potential underlying medical issues to reach the root cause of the problem. In conclusion, timely diagnosis and effective therapy are crucial for potential recovery, apart from nurturing emotional support from loved ones.

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