Depersonalization : A New Look at a Neglected Syndrome

This book describes the experience of depersonalization and an up-to-date review of what is known about the disorder, dealing with the subject from a wide range of perspectives covering historical, conceptual, clinical, trans-cultural, pharmacological and neurobiological factors. Relevant to psychiatrists, neurologists, primary care practitioners and psychiatric nurses.

Depersonalization is a dissociative disorder, causing alteration in the perception or experience of the self and a detachment from reality. This is a fascinating and clinically relevant phenomenon neglected within psychiatry. Far from being a rare condition, it can be as prevalent as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and frequently occurs in association with other neuropsychiatric conditions. This book is a review of depersonalization, dealing with the subject from a wide range of perspectives and covering historical, conceptual, clinical, trans-cultural, pharmacological and neurobiological factors. It discusses recent neuroimaging studies providing fresh insights into the condition and opening up new opportunities to manage the symptoms with pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic interventions. It will be relevant to psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, as well as primary care practitioners, neurologists and psychiatric nurses.