While the physical symptoms of an injury are usually immediately obvious, it can often take time for many potential mental health symptoms to present themselves - sometimes even manifesting as a dissociative disorder.

Depersonalisation-derealisation disorder or DPDR is one of the mental health disorders that can develop following an accident, bringing various physical and psychological ramifications with it. We’re taking a closer look at DPDR, explaining what it is, causation and what can be done to treat it.

What is DPDR?

According to studies, DPDR affects about 1.3million people in the UK and is thought to be one of the most commonly underdiagnosed mental health conditions in the country.

As a dissociative disorder, DPDR is frequently associated with a person feeling disconnected from themselves or the world around them. Disassociation tends to refer to a detachment from things, while depersonalisation refers to a detachment from a sense of self and identity.

This condition can cause people to feel a loss of sensation, or even feel as though they are viewing their life as an external spectator, almost like being in a permanent dream state.

As DPDR often causes individuals to doubt their own reality, sufferers also experience feelings of confusion and develop memory issues as they begin to doubt whether or not their memories are their own. This can also lead to confusion and lapses in memory known as Dissociative Amnesia.

Physically, this can also manifest as feelings of numbness, paralysis and seizures. According to the NHS, these physical symptoms can sometimes be confused with other neurological disorders, such as epilepsy or strokes.

What causes DPDR?

Dissociative disorders can be caused by traumatic life events such as a serious accident or injury. One way the human mind attempts to cope with stress is to attempt to disassociate from it. In extreme circumstances, such as following PTSD or a traumatic incident, this can become a dissociative disorder.

Various mental health issues can trigger DPDR, while depression, anxiety and PTSD have been found to exacerbate the issue. Many of the symptoms associated with other conditions also can manifest with DPDR, including:

• Obsessive-compulsive behaviour
• Mood swings
• Panic attacks
• Depression
• Suicidal ideation
• Insomnia

How is DPDR treated?

There are several treatments that can help with the symptoms of DPDR.

Before treatment begins, a detailed assessment identifying any physical and underlying mental health issues is required. At Corporé our Case Managers use this assessment to create a bespoke treatment plan, drawing on a wealth of experience to decide on the types of treatment and rehabilitation options to deliver results tailored to an individual’s specific needs.

This includes physical therapies, such as physiotherapy or speech therapy, which help restore function and assist in alleviating some of the physical symptoms.

Alongside physical treatment, there is often a course of counselling or psychotherapy to help confront and deal with the underlying problems behind the dissociative disorder. This could include confronting the root of stress or trauma, much like in the treatment of PTSD, to help someone move past those experiences.

These therapies enable individuals to deal with the various symptoms associated with DPDR but are also intended to help sufferers learn effective tools to manage periods of disassociation.

For example, if an individual is suffering from depression or panic attacks as a result of DPDR, the treatment may include specific medications that aid management of the symptoms.

Throughout treatment, we continually monitor and assess progress. Doing this allows our Case Managers to remain in contact and up-to-date with how rehabilitation is progressing in line with the agreed goals from the treatment plan. This means that if requirements change we’re able to quickly change direction and adapt to ensure we are still working towards the right treatment goals.

Supporting long-term self-care

In the event that mental health rehabilitation requires some form of long-term care and management, there are different options to consider. This can be accessing tools to help manage symptoms more effectively, or it can be a course of medication that keeps the symptoms at bay.

With DPDR, treatment often involves implementing a strategy to manage physical symptoms as well as providing the individual with the tools to identify the onset of the condition. This allows people to know when to seek out support, or identify the causes and take steps to manage the underlying stress or other elements that can cause the onset of symptoms.

Understanding the condition, the causes and defining the most effective treatment requires detailed and consistent levels of care and assessment. At Corporé, our dedicated Case Managers will discuss the most effective treatments to help individuals return to optimum recovery. This might include assessments that identify the need for mental health support, alongside other rehabilitative options.

To find out more about mental health support and how Corporé can help, get in touch with our friendly team by clicking here.