What Is Derealization?
7. How Long Does an Episode Usually Last?
There is no set time for an episode of derealization because there are many factors that determine how long it lasts. Many people find relief within a few hours, particularly if it results from a treatable physical ailment. Others, such as those with seasonal depression, may undergo a dissociative episode for a few weeks or months. They are aware that their perception is distorted, but they can’t necessarily escape from it.
In some cases, derealization can be ongoing and last for years. People may feel detached from their environments as if they are watching what’s happening rather than being a part of it, and this detachment may simply be a characteristic of their ongoing mental illness. When episodes last this long, they may also be accompanied by depersonalization, which can cause people to start to question whether they themselves are even real.
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