Rocio's Depersonalization Recovery Story

01:30 DPDR during COVID
04:12 "I was not feeling within myself"
05:23 Seeking medical help
06:53 "It was me in a bubble"
08:56 Umbrella Medication
10:54 Finding the term "Depersonalization"
13:54 Managing life with DPDR
16:30 "Like I had been dead for a month"
20:38 How did recovery start?
22:39 Coming off medication
27:11 What does depersonalization recovery feel like?
32:24 Depersonalization Forums
36:54 Overcomplicating DPDR
38:35 The DP Manual
39:59 Life after Depersonalization
41:18 Can you REALLY get back to normal?
47:02 Advice for people with DPDR
⚡ Start YOUR 💯 recovery from DPDR today! 👉🏼 www.dpmanual.c...
⭐ 1-on-1 DPDR Recovery Coaching 👉🏼 www.dpmanual.c...
Rocio Rodriguez (25) is from Miami, Florida. Starting in 2019, Rocio suffered with chronic Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder for about a year and a half. She struggled badly with the condition, and was put on a cocktail of medications after describing the feeling to her doctor as like being stuck 'in a bubble'.
But thankfully, Rocio has since made a complete recovery, and in this brand new interview she tells me all about her experience with and recovery from Depersonalization Disorder.
Connect with me!
/ depersonalizationmanual
/ dpmanual
Disclaimer: Please note that the medical information contained within this video is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a professional physician and is not a recommendation of specific therapies.

[@Dpmanual]

⚡ Start YOUR 💯 recovery from DPDR today! 👉🏼 www.dpmanual.com/purchase/ ⭐ 1-on-1 DPDR Recovery Coaching 👉🏼 www.dpmanual.com/coaching/

[@itsnesss]

to anyone feeling desperate and checking the comments to find some kind of hope: ive been where you are right now. i used to think that maybe i was broken and I was never gonna get better. when you are in the middle of the experience you are not rational. the truth is: you can get better and you definitely will. It is not a permanent condition, it is temporary. It won’t define the rest of your life and you won’t be stuck with it. I promise you that. when i was going through it, what helped me the most was spending time outside, meeting friends, having my mind occupied. finding this page gave me the relief i needed. knowing what i was going through was the first step of my recovery. if you are here reading this comment, it means you already know what you’re going through. so, just know you’re not alone and, as many people have done, you will recover too. best wishes to all of you and sorry for my English

[@Dpmanual]

Thanks for your comment Vanessa and I'm delighted to hear you're doing so well! 😊

[@leoblackyt1465]

I am getting depersonalization right now but sometimes I am afraid and scared and I am alone . I have no friends and I can’t go anywhere because I am in the refugee camp . Can’t go anywhere. I am so afraid right now. I need a friend

[@jaredalton5732]

​@@leoblackyt1465talk to a therapist. Tell this this.

[@ranveersoni3574]

Does those thought come to u again?

[@itsnesss]

@@ranveersoni3574 no! at least not in the same way. its been over a year and still feeling alright! i think i definitely said goodbye to that phase. sometimes when im going through stressful times and get a little anxious, i inevitably remember that, but i can say that it no longer scares me. getting out of that scary experience makes you stronger, i promise you that :)

[@Yahya-gb8zn]

Hey, i have bought you manual 3 months ago. And i am almost recovered. That you so much. I have no more DPDR, it´s just anxiouse thoughts sometimes. The anxiety is very managable. It´s important to continue living and not stop. And try to adabt a positive mindset. You will 100% make it. And you are not incurable. The thought of it being incurable is the thought, that dirves anxiety even more. Here is the first thought to work on for your progress to heal!

[@Dpmanual]

So glad to hear that! Keep up the good work and enjoy your recovery 😊

[@mementomori_111]

She's so focking beautiful!!❤

[@t091293]

I HAVE MADE A 100% RECOVERY. I haven't even thought of derealisation for half a year now, even though I went through hell with it last year. Everything fell apart around me, I thought I had gone insane, entered another dimension, everything felt absolutely terrifying, dark, devoid of hope and I felt like I got stuck in a place that I couldn't exit evem through death. I had brutal intrusive thoughts all day every day about dying, freaking out about philosophocal questions of consciousness, reality and afterlife. I thought I was gone forever. But day after day, I actually spent more and more time with my normal self. By following Shaun's guide, not stopping my life and gritting my teeth even though I thought I am literally going mad actually helped me make a COMPLETE recovery. Stop researching, stop looking at forums, stop analysing your thoughts, stop trying to engage with and interact with your scary thoughts. They mean absolutely nothing, they are a symptom of anxiety. You do not have to address the content of them, ever. I have forgotten so much about derealisation, that I have only come back to this channel to leave this comment here to give hope to others. YOU WILL MAKE A COMPLETE COMEBACK AND YOU WILL BE A 100% YOURSELF. You might not believe it right now but believe someone who had it so bad they wanted to kill themselves and STILL MADE IT TO THE OTHER SIDE. It's beautiful on this side and I can't wait for you guys to arrive here as well! Life is beautiful, you are NEVER alone and nothing is as dark as it may seem now. Hold on, the darkness PASSES FOREVER. ❤

[@TheMolly5186]

Thank u so much u made me cry. Made me feel with so much hope. The worst part of my DPDR is feeling so disconnected from my self and can’t recognize my self in the mirror.

[@ranveersoni3574]

How are you doing now??

[@dylanteet7074]

I feel like if I ever recover I would never want to talk about it again or be interviewed about it because it would come back.

[@Dpmanual]

That's a common misperception 😊 Read this: www.dpmanual.com/articles/does-depersonalization-come-back/

[@ayoubimohammad6878]

Thank you shaun for making these videos. You are a life saver. Please continue making these videos. Thank you

[@Dpmanual]

Glad you've been finding them useful 😊

[@frankvaldes8042]

Hello everyone, just wanted to come on here and spread some positivity. I’ve had DP TWICE in the last 2 years. First time was from a bad drug experience and the second time, which was very recent, was due to a binge drinking episode. Just want to let everyone know that, I have now overcome this condition twice! I know it’s not easy, and I know it may seem like your world is falling apart, but trust me, you can overcome this and quicker than you might think. Listen to Sean’s advice, stay extremely busy!! Movies, TV shows, going out with your friends, going to sporting events etc. trust me, if you stay busy, you’re going to catch yourself saying having a good time and forgetting about it that you’re gonna say to yourself “holy crap, I went all those hours without even thinking about it” and once you get to that point, you’re smooth sailing. You’re gonna have ups and downs. Some extremely good days and some not so good days, but don’t let it discourage you! Stay focused and keep pushing!

[@Dpmanual]

Thanks for your comment Frank and I'm delighted to hear you're doing so well! 😊

[@Userr368]

@@Dpmanual am i going to be able to get drunk and be normal the next day. After recovery

[@jaredalton5732]

@@Userr368 son. Ur taking a risk.

[@edandnirworthsbiglov]

Induced Depersonalization from drugs passes by itself. Stay strong everyone.

[@itsnesss]

hey Shaun! i just wanted to thank you for what you do. I don’t know where id be now if i hadn’t found your page and read your manual. thank you so much, you’re saving many people’s lives

[@Dpmanual]

So happy that The DP Manual has been helpful in your recovery Vanessa! And if you'd ever like to have your story featured on the channel just drop me a line 😊

[@eman0824]

thank youu for making these videos shaun❤❤ deeply appreciated

[@Dpmanual]

Happy to help 😊

[@dimetrodon2250]

I am currently dealing with a major bout of DPDR. It’s not my first time dealing with this, but right now it feels particularly bad. It’s only been a month and I already feel so far gone and different than usual. The last time I dealt with this, I was in college, and had the support of my friends and roommates to keep me company and busy nearly 24/7. This time I’m all alone. I can contact them over the phone, but meeting in person with anyone is pretty difficult when I live. Up until a month ago I was doing fine. I can’t feel the usual strong connection to my passions and interests, it feels as though EVERYTHING gives me anxiety sometimes, since things that used to look or seem familiar now feel foreign or strange. It’s difficult to know how I feel about anything, what i truly liked, what i was neutral on, what i disliked, etc. i feel like I can’t connect or empathize with anyone, real or fictional. I was already an anxious person, but going full DPDR where I feel completely disconnected from myself, and my interests, is something i haven’t felt in over 3 years. I’m trying my best to stay grounded and focused on living my life as normal, trying to accept that I’m feeling like this right now, and that it will pass, but it’s so frustrating. My usual set of coping mechanisms for when I get either anxious or depressed (engrossing myself in my special interests) isn’t working at all at the moment. Rekindling them is difficult by myself, and without the passion behind them, it feels pointless. I’m also dealing with pretty bad existential anxiety whenever the concept of death is presented, as if I’m not sure how to react/how I would usually react in different situations. When was I okay vs when was I not okay, etc. Same with my sense of humor. It’s like I don’t remember what I found funny or why. I feel like the intrinsic feelings that drew me to my interests are gone, and I keep getting these thoughts of if I was ever interested in them, or in anything for that matter. It honestly makes no sense. I feel like my brain keeps jumping around to different points in my life, or feels like I’m becoming a different person. Random memories from different points in my life, sometimes just because I was reminded of them, others feel random. Instead of feeling nostalgic like before, they now are giving me anxiety just like everything else. I just started an SSRI last week and am in therapy. It’s just still really stressful when I don’t have any outlets and my usual SIs are all missing.

[@ranveersoni3574]

Bro you okay now???

[@dimetrodon2250]

@@ranveersoni3574 Actually yeah, much better. A mix of therapy, meds (anxiety disorder), grounding, and straight up just occupying my time with stuff really helps out. Sure sometimes if I dont get enough sleep or if I'm in a really uncomfortable situation I do feel some of that de-realization/dissociation, but not to the point of DPDR. Once you feel calm and arent thinking about it, its fine. Even now I can barely remember what the sensation truly felt like.

[@smhg5665]

I am 16 years old and I live in Turkey. I have been having this experience for 7-8 months. Life feels unreal, as if the people around me are robots. I'm trying to get rid of thoughts like these but it's not working

[@smhg5665]

My perceptions are distorted, I feel like there is pressure on my brain, some days I have a headache, and there is no one to listen to me, I am very lonely.

[@Dpmanual]

Hey, thanks for your comment 😊 Firstly, please make sure that you’re speaking to your parents about what’s happening. It’s very important that they know what’s going on. Secondly, I know DPDR can be frightening but remember that it's just your body and brain's natural response to stress and anxiety. It's not permanent and it can't hurt you. You can and will recover. Make sure to read through all the info and articles on my website at www.dpmanual.com And if you would like to speak to a medical professional please don't hesitate to do so. I would recommend finding an anxiety specialist if possible as they will likely be more familiar with DPDR 👍

[@emin0660]

Ben de aynılarını yaşıyorum desem ? Sana tavsiyem Barış Muslu'nun kitabını al . Bu depersonalizasyon derealizasyonun sebebi sürekli bir şekilde stres altında olmak ve bir süre sonra beynin bundan seni korumak için kendini koruma altına alıyor bunun sonucunda da gerçekliğini kaybetmiş gibi hissediyorsun . Neyse dediğim gibi Barış Muslu denilen adam bu gibi bir çok psiklojik sorunu çözmeye yarayan yöntemleri anlatıyor ve ayrıca bu yöntemler bilimsel sorun varsa bunu deneyimleyen biri olarak konuşmak isterim

[@Lion1989199520062015]

@@smhg5665hey i felt like this for a very long time, over time it gets better i promise you that you’re not going crazy i had the exact same thoughts, some nights you will feel horrible but i know you will get better.❤️

[@jackw6660]

@@Lion1989199520062015how long did it take to feel any better? I’m gonna kms help

[@diartahazrolli9411]

I have the same problem i feel like im not real or i’m not living in the present moment why is this feeling so weird OMG

[@Dpmanual]

Hey, thanks for your comment 😊 I know DPDR can be scary but just remember that it’s a natural reaction to stress and anxiety, and people experience it all the time. The National Institute on Mental Illness estimates that up to 75% of people experience at least one depersonalization / derealization episode in their lives. It's part of your brain's natural defence mechanism and usually it only lasts a few seconds or minutes at a time. It's only when it's focused on as a separate problem (feeling like you're going crazy / in a dream etc) that it can turn into a feedback loop with the anxiety that caused it in the first place. But no matter what caused it or how long you've had it, you can always switch it off completely by stopping that anxious feedback loop. Make sure to carefully read through all the articles and info on my website at www.dpmanual.com and my book The Depersonalization Manual. And if you would like to speak to a medical professional please don't hesitate to do so. I would recommend finding an anxiety specialist if possible as they will likely be more familiar with DPDR 👍

[@TmzRlol]

@@Dpmanuali have it 24/7 and have been dealing with it for probably 7 months now

[@lu2606]

hi shaun,my doctor told me a long screen time can cause or maintain dpdr alive,what do u think about it?

[@nottday]

Thanks, I’ve been experiencing this since I was 15, now I’m 17 and still can’t come off of it. It feels like my perception are distorted. The tv looks small and whenever I sit to watch it feels like there’s pressure in my brain and it feels uncomfortable. Also with looking at my phone. I feel blurry vision throughout the day. And So much more.

[@Dpmanual]

Hey, thanks for your comment 😊 Firstly, please make sure that you’re speaking to your parents about what’s happening. It’s very important that they know what’s going on. Secondly, I know DPDR can be frightening but remember that it's just your body and brain's natural response to stress and anxiety. It's not permanent and it can't hurt you. You can and will recover. Make sure to read through all the info and articles on my website at www.dpmanual.com And if you would like to speak to a medical professional please don't hesitate to do so. I would recommend finding an anxiety specialist if possible as they will likely be more familiar with DPDR 👍

[@jaredalton5732]

I have had it for 17 years. It gets better. But most people only have it for like 2-3 years. Yah I have the pressures in my brain too.

[@jackw6660]

Shaun, have you ever known dpdr occur in someone who is already aware of it and knows it’s not harmless? I had it as a kid and did research and was able to overcome it, and have a had it briefly since then but always overcome it. Have you ever know anyone else like this?

[@jaeespo5413]

Same experience. Dr after dr hospital after hospital kept switching meds on 3 at a time. The worst experience ever.

[@Dpmanual]

I'm sorry to hear that, and I hope you're doing better now ❤️

[@Uumm-l7t]

hi shaun my dpdr was on the way to going away but after a game of football after a lot of fatigue towards the end I was a little physically ill I felt like fainting then my dpdr consequently intensified. these days some things are coming back to me like not being able to be among so many people and I feel very tired and as if I'm about to faint I wouldn't want it to go back to the way it was before because I was improving a lot can you give me some advice for this.

[@Its_vickkiii_]

I am having the exact same symptoms right now … I feel like fainting, light headed and like I cannot be around a lot of people :/ tips ?

[@jordanmayenburg508]

Hey Shaun , I bought your manual and have found it very good. these videos can really help me when I feel like I’ve lost hope too. Can I just ask was your first panic attack on weed or was in while watching a movie at home? I thought I heard both and wanted to clarify

[@moonlight22014]

Bring me back to give updates.

[@Ekaukleba]

i am alienated from myself. when someone talks about sights,i am afraid that i am blind. so i think what i'm looking at i just cant see. why i started having strange fears. being alone, looking in the mirror and fear maiby i am blind? why?

[@andrewskuriakose7971]

I sometimes feel dpdr causes me to have other symptoms like social anxiety. I get very self consious. I understand everything you say but I have trouble putting it into practice. Do you have any tips I could use to help myself not panic when dpdr comes on

[@Dpmanual]

Hi Andrew, head over to my website at www.dpmanual.com, there’s tons of info and tips on DPDR recovery there 😊

[@gayeorin7036]

Hello shaun !! Thank you for the vid it's really calming to know that this disorder can be treated and stopped . These days I have this fear of dp dr turning into agoraphobia , I still go outside but when I think about the sky and stuff like that I panic , is it possible that the dpdr will turn into another anxiety disorder?

[@magdalenazak2748]

Hey, first of all Thank you for all the work you do, I really appriciate it. I have a question. Ever since I had a sexual trauma when I was 17 (which was 16 years ago) I basically completely disconnected from my Body and it has been like that ever since. Do you think your manual could help? I am seeing a therapist, doing mindfulness meditations, tryin to have a healthy lifestyle. I got better mentally (less anxiety, less depression, less anger issues), but I am still almost completely disconnected from the Body and unable to feel physical pleasure. I also have maladaptive daydreaming since I was a little kid. Is that even DP/DR? Would appriciate your answer, I would be happy to get your manual but just want to see your thoughts on if and how it could help me get back to feel my Body, which at this point I dont even know how it would even be, it’s been so long since I Lost that connection…. Thank you

[@Dpmanual]

Hi Magdalena, thanks for your comment -- Yes, feelings of disconnection from the body like you're describing are very common with Depersonalization Disorder. If you're in any doubt take a look through the list of symptoms here and see if they sound familiar: www.dpmanual.com/about/do-i-have-depersonalization-disorder/ www.dpmanual.com/about/depersonalization-symptoms-the-10-most-common/ And if you would like to speak to a medical professional please don't hesitate to do so. I would recommend finding an anxiety specialist if possible as they will likely be more familiar with DPDR.

[@elkhalilmadani5889]

i have a question for everybody going through this. my main problem right now is the depression. i feel like life was sucked from me. do everybody gets depression from this !!

[@marlonn__]

hey shaun i have a question, is DPDR the same thing can i still recover or is DR forever?

[@Dpmanual]

Don't worry, DP and DR are both symptoms of anxiety, they're both harmless and temporary: www.dpmanual.com/articles/depersonalization-and-derealization-whats-the-difference/

[@brittneywelch2186]

I had a similar thing happen with medication. Curious though, did your psych want to keep you on anything at all?😊

[@dylanteet7074]

Me too I smoked weed on top of medication during a panic attack which I shouldn’t have done because I induced bad derealization. It sucks really bad.

[@CourtneySDawn]

Shaun Iv dealt with DPDR for years on and off, before even knowing what it was I kind of naturally knew to ignore it and it would go away. However this time my existential thoughts are what caused it, so while the dpdr can make it worse it’s the existential thoughts I have the hardest getting past. Solipsism/hyperawareness of existence it’s like my brain realized on a deeper level and can’t so back to unseeing it this way.. did you experience this and recover? It’s been 8 months I’m so depressed

[@Dpmanual]

Hi Courtney -- Don't worry, it doesn't matter what caused it, how long it’s lasted, or whether it’s been 24/7 or episodic, you can always switch DPDR off completely by stopping the anxiety that's causing it 😊 Read this carefully: www.dpmanual.com/articles/what-causes-depersonalization-disorder/ Remember that existential / intrusive thoughts like that you're describing are super common with DPDR. I know they can be frustrating and frightening but they are also temporary and harmless and will fade away and stop as your recovery continues 😊 www.dpmanual.com/articles/depersonalization-fears-and-anxious-thoughts/ And of course if you're feeling particularly depressed and you would like to speak to a medical professional please don't hesitate to do so. I would recommend finding an anxiety specialist if possible as they will likely be more familiar with DPDR.

[@dearNigerians-11]

what of issues of not recognizing yourself in the mirror?? is it possible to recover from that or how do we recover from it??

[@Dpmanual]

Don’t worry, feelings like that are super common with DPDR. I know they can be frustrating but they will fade away and stop as you recover 😊 www.dpmanual.com/about/do-i-have-depersonalization-disorder/

[@buletpandey2345]

Will I get dp pep talks and audiobook in hindi language? When I buy dp manual, shaun, please reply

[@Dpmanual]

Hello, the audio sections of the DP Manual are currently available in English only. But all of the text comes with a complete Hindi translation.

[@daniel70848]

Hello friend, could you please translate the testimonies into Spanish? there are many people who speak spanish thanks coonor

[@MohamedDabah-t2q]

You have been dead for a month I've had it since 2020

[@Dpmanual]

Don't worry, it doesn't matter what caused it, how long it’s lasted, or whether it’s been 24/7 or episodic, you can always switch DPDR off completely by stopping the anxiety that's causing it 😊 Read this carefully: www.dpmanual.com/articles/how-long-does-depersonalization-last/

[@Mariam_HM]

Thank you so much, Shaun! I have a question, please .. Is it possible for someone with Fibromyalgia to overcome dp/dr, because Fibro causes continuous anxiety and depression? 🪻

[@Dpmanual]

Yes, you can still recover from DPDR 😊 Read this, I think you'll find it useful: www.dpmanual.com/articles/reasons-think-cant-recover/

[@Mariam_HM]

@@Dpmanual Thank you so much! 🪻

[@Dpmanual]

@@Mariam_HM Happy to help! 😊

[@thugkeyz]

Hi shaun does the vision gets cured, i mean i feel like i am looking through a vr, or i feel like it's a game and i am a character