Understanding Depersonalization
Have you ever felt like you were watching yourself from the outside—like your body was moving but you weren’t really there?
If so, you’re not alone. This experience is often called depersonalization, and while it can feel unsettling or even frightening, it’s more common than most people realize.
Many clients come to Elisa Monti’s coaching sessions describing this sense of disconnection from themselves, especially during times of intense stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm. These moments don’t mean something is wrong with you—they often reflect your nervous system’s way of protecting you when things feel too much.
In this article, we’ll gently explore what depersonalization is, how it shows up, what can trigger it, and—most importantly—what might help. You’ll also learn how Elisa’s compassionate, body-based approach supports clients who are navigating this experience, helping them reconnect with a sense of safety and presence in their own lives.
What Is Depersonalization?
Depersonalization is a dissociative experience where you feel disconnected from yourself—like you're watching your thoughts, emotions, or even body from the outside. It can feel like you're moving through life on autopilot, numb or distant from your own reality. Many people describe it as feeling robotic, foggy, or emotionally flat.
It’s important to know that while this experience can be unsettling, it’s not uncommon—and it doesn’t mean you’re “going crazy.” Unlike psychosis, people experiencing depersonalization still know what’s real and what’s not. It’s the feeling that’s off—not your grasp on reality.
These sensations often surface during times of high stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm. For many, they pass on their own. For others, they linger and may need intentional support to work through.
Depersonalization vs. Derealization
Though they often go hand in hand, depersonalization and derealization describe different experiences:
Depersonalization is the sense of being detached from yourself—like you're observing your life instead of living it. You might feel emotionally numb, physically distant from your body, or like your voice doesn’t sound like your own.
Derealization is more about the world around you. Things may look unreal, foggy, distorted, or dreamlike—almost as if there’s a glass wall between you and reality.
Both experiences can be brief or persistent, and they often show up together, especially in response to stress, trauma, or nervous system overwhelm.
How Common Is It?
You’re not alone in this. Many people experience brief episodes of depersonalization, especially during intense stress or panic. In fact, occasional dissociation is incredibly common—some studies suggest up to 75% of people will experience it at least once in their life.
But only about 1–2% of people experience it so frequently and intensely that it becomes a disorder, often called depersonalization-derealization disorder. In those cases, it may begin to interfere with daily life, work, or relationships.
What Triggers Depersonalization?
There’s no single cause, but several common triggers are linked to this experience:
Emotional or psychological stress, especially unresolved trauma from childhood
Panic attacks or overwhelming anxiety
Sleep deprivation
Neurological conditions like migraines or seizures
Psychoactive substances such as cannabis, LSD, or other hallucinogens
Sometimes, depersonalization is the nervous system’s way of protecting you when things feel too much. It’s like a dimmer switch for emotional intensity—your system may go into a “numb” state when something feels threatening, even if that threat isn’t immediately obvious.
Recognizing Depersonalization Symptoms
People often describe depersonalization in deeply personal ways, but some common experiences include:
Feeling like you're floating outside your body or observing yourself from afar
Emotional numbness, or feeling like a robot going through the motions
Time feeling distorted—like it’s speeding up, slowing down, or standing still
A sense that your voice, movements, or thoughts aren’t really yours
Even though these experiences are intense, many people know something’s “off” but still recognize reality. That insight is key—and it’s also why it can feel so confusing and distressing.
When Depersonalization Becomes Persistent
For some, depersonalization passes after a stressful moment. For others, it can become chronic, sticking around for weeks, months, or even longer. If it starts interfering with your ability to work, connect with others, or enjoy life, it might be time to explore supportive options.
Persistent depersonalization isn’t a personal failure or a sign that something is “wrong” with you—it’s often a signal from your nervous system that it needs safety, grounding, and time to reset.
What Can Help with Depersonalization?
While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, many people find relief through:
Grounding techniques that help reconnect you to your body and environment
Breathwork, movement, and sensory practices to support nervous system regulation
Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or trauma-focused methods like EMDR
In some clinical cases, medication may be used to address underlying anxiety or depression
That said, not everyone needs clinical treatment. If you're not in crisis but feel stuck in disconnection, there are gentler, non-clinical ways to rebuild presence and trust in your body—and that’s where trauma-informed coaching can offer a compassionate bridge.
How Elisa Monti Supports Clients Navigating Disconnection from Self
Elisa Monti offers a grounded and compassionate space for those who feel disconnected from themselves or their surroundings. She meets each client with deep attunement and care, drawing on somatic and voice-based practices to support gentle reconnection.
Through this work, clients are invited to:
Reconnect with the sensations of being in their body, at a pace that feels safe
Reclaim a sense of vitality and presence, even after periods of emotional numbness
Approach moments of detachment with curiosity, softness, and self-compassion
Elisa’s approach is relational, intuitive, and always paced in response to your unique needs. Whether you're experiencing occasional moments of feeling distant or a more ongoing sense of disconnection, her sessions offer a path toward feeling more grounded, embodied, and whole.
If you're searching for a space to explore these feelings without judgment—where you can gently reconnect with yourself—you’re not alone. Support is possible.
Ready to Feel More Like You Again?
If you’ve been moving through life feeling distant, ungrounded, or disconnected from your sense of self, know that it doesn’t have to stay that way. Working with Elisa Monti offers a space to explore those experiences in a supportive, non-judgmental environment—one step at a time.
Book a free consultation to see if this work feels right for you. There’s no pressure, just a chance to reconnect with what’s real, present, and alive within you.