Depersonalizing and Derealizing away from your life.

A mental disease differs from a mental condition is that it brings harm to the person in more destructive ways. Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder (or DDD) is known to be a rare and a definite source of difficulties. I, JN, have been studying it for a class called Disease. We learned about different diseases, both physically and mentally. We also learned about parts of the human brain, as well as the human body in the previous terms. For an assignment, we had to research a certain mental disease. Then we had to create a simulation of said disease so that people can experience the illness as best as possible. The struggle that I had found with this assignment finding away to create the "out of body" experience my chosen. However, what I am the proudest of is gaining the information needed for this project. I hope that you learn more about this disease after reading/viewing this blog.

DDD is an out of body experience in which one literally sees themselves at a certain angle. This is extremely traumatizing for the patient, as well as extremely rare. Underneath this text, there is more information stated on the disease. The flier is supposed to help those understand DDD better after the simulation.

Despite the disease being rare, there is enough data to show important facts for either the patient or their loved ones. Statistics have shown that most adults(in the US) have experienced a form of Depersonalization. However, at least 2% actually met the full criteria to be diagnosed. Another important information for DDD is that more women have suffered more with the disease than men. 

In certain parts of the flier, information can be spotted about the brain. Mainly, certain parts of the human brain that are affected by the disease. Not only that, but certain brain waves can happen while in a depersonalized state, mostly gamma and beta. If you don't know, brainwaves are states of mind in which one goes through depending on a situation. For this assignment, not only we had to create a simulation, but we also had to make a graph relating to what brainwaves one might feel.

After creating the graph, we then had to calculate piecewise functions for each line.  This way, you have the ability to see how far each line would go for every change.

As for the simulation itself, it had a very organized set up that was meant to be practiced before hand. The lesson plan has all the information needed including the time, items, and brainwaves predicted.

With the guidelines of this templet, I was able to create a video that follows at least 90% of the lesson plan through.




As you can see, it is a disease like no other. Even if you were to simulate the disease, it still could never be the full extent. DDD is terrible and rare disease, to the point where it is hard to simulate. In a certain youtube video, there was a girl who claimed had DDD in her early childhood and teens. She states the reason she is admitting to now is because a role model admitting to the disease before hand, in which the girl took inspiration. That she didn't want to do it before-hand "because I thought I get locked up". She talks about her experience through the video, and how it was traumatizing for her. She states in the middle of the she couldn't or " can't find joy in somethings." and that for normal people "You normally feel happiness or joy.”. She also states that it's somewhat of a silent disease, meaning that "Nobody knows”  and “You are the only person the knows it, and you are the only person that feels it.”.

In conclusion, DDD is a very harmful disease. Like all disease, it creates problems in one's self and family. The trouble I had creating this presentation was the simulation, which was harder than expected. I believe if I was more prepared, then the simulation would have been more affective. But it could never be extended to what the true disease is now. Still, I am glad that I learned about the disease, as well as this class.

Citations

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR.