Do I Experience Derealization?

Take this quiz to find out!

Have you ever felt like you’re living in a dream? That the body you’re living in isn’t your own? If so, you may have experienced derealization or depersonalization. Derealization is when you feel disconnected from your surroundings, whereas depersonalization is when you feel detached from your thoughts and body. Out-of-body experiences and daydreaming can happen to anyone, but having them too often may be a warning sign of depersonalization-derealization disorder (DDD). Take our assessment to learn if you’re experiencing derealization.

While this quiz is based on psychological research, the results are not a clinical diagnosis. Please consult a psychologist if you believe you have a mental illness or dissociative disorder.

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Questions Overview

1. I often feel like I’m living in a dream.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
2. Sometimes I have trouble recognizing my reflection.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
3. I often feel like a stranger to myself.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
4. I sometimes feel like a robot.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
5. To me, sounds are often softer than they really are.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
6. I tend to be numb emotionally.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
7. Sometimes I feel like I’m observing my life outside of my body.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
8. I feel disconnected from my memories.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
9. I have trouble remembering things clearly.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
10. It can be hard for me to understand my surroundings.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
11. People I know well often feel like strangers.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
12. I’m not sure if my memories are my own.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
13. My body often doesn’t feel like mine.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree
14. My vision is usually blurry or cloudy, like I’m looking through fog.
  1. Agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Disagree

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Depersonalization and derealization can be disorienting and disrupt your everyday life. You probably struggle to remember things correctly and have a hard time regulating or interpreting your emotions.Talk to your doctor or a psychologist if you believe you are suffering from depersonalization or derealization. They\u2019ll be able to help you manage your symptoms and find a treatment plan that works best for you. Derealization doesn\u2019t have to rule your life\u2014you can start to feel like yourself again with the right guidance and support.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Depersonalization"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Overcome Depersonalization","id":539378,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Depersonalization","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Overcome-Depersonalization-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Overcome-Depersonalization-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Overcome Depersonalization"},{"title":"How to Know if You Are Mentally Ill","id":598547,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Know if You Are Mentally Ill"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You may experience episodes of derealization and\/or depersonalization.","meaning":"You likely feel like you\u2019re living in a dream or having out-of-body experiences a significant amount of the time. It\u2019s probably not something that happens every day, but it happens often enough to cause some concern.Much of the time, you likely believe you\u2019re observing yourself outside of your body and feel as though you\u2019re walking through a fog or haze. It may be difficult for you to put memories together and connect emotionally to those you love. Perhaps the best way to describe how you\u2019re feeling is by comparing yourself to a robot\u2014you don\u2019t feel in control.Talk to your doctor or a psychologist if you believe you are suffering from depersonalization or derealization. They\u2019ll be able to help you manage your symptoms and find a treatment plan that works best for you. Derealization doesn\u2019t have to rule your life\u2014you can start to feel like yourself again with the right guidance and support.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Depersonalization"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Overcome Depersonalization","id":539378,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Depersonalization","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Overcome-Depersonalization-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Overcome-Depersonalization-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Overcome Depersonalization"},{"title":"How to Know if You Are Mentally Ill","id":598547,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Know if You Are Mentally Ill"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You may be showing early signs of derealization and\/or depersonalization.","meaning":"Based on your answers, you might be struggling with a mild case of derealization. Sometimes you feel disconnected from yourself (as if someone else is controlling your body), while you feel 100% like yourself most of the time. You may have out-of-body experiences occasionally and experience depressive or anxious episodes.Chances are, specific things trigger these episodes and dissociative feelings. Perhaps you\u2019ve been through something traumatic or distressing, and seeing reminders of this event distorts your perception of reality.Even if you\u2019re only showing some signs of derealization, it\u2019s best to talk to a doctor or psychologist for help. They\u2019ll be able to help you manage your symptoms and find a treatment plan that works best for you, so you can start feeling like yourself again.","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Depersonalization"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Overcome Depersonalization","id":539378,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Depersonalization","image":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/18\/Overcome-Depersonalization-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Overcome-Depersonalization-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Overcome Depersonalization"},{"title":"How to Know if You Are Mentally Ill","id":598547,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Know if You Are Mentally Ill"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You\u2019re likely not suffering from derealization or depersonalization.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it\u2019s very unlikely that you struggle with derealization or depersonalization. The majority of the time, you likely feel like yourself. You\u2019ve probably never had an out-of-body experience and feel completely in control of your body and emotions\u2014the only time you visit a dream world is in your sleep.Overall, you likely never have to worry about feeling disconnected from yourself or your surroundings. You\u2019re 100% you almost all of the time!","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-Yourself"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Know if You Are Mentally Ill","id":598547,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-if-You-Are-Mentally-Ill-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Know if You Are Mentally Ill"},{"title":"How to Be Yourself","id":108432,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Be-Yourself","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Be-Yourself-Step-19.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Be-Yourself-Step-19.jpg","alt":"How to Be Yourself"}],"minimum":0}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Depression<\/picture>","alt":"Depression Test"},{"title":"Anger Issues Test","id":13802616,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Anger-Issues-Test","image":"\"Anger<\/picture>","alt":"Anger Issues Test"},{"title":"Maladaptive Daydreaming Test","id":13520414,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Maladaptive-Daydreaming-Test","image":"\"Maladaptive<\/picture>","alt":"Maladaptive Daydreaming Test"}],"number":1},{"text":"I feel pretty good about my mental health, so I'd rather explore something else.","result":"Cool! We have other self-discovery quizzes you might like:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"What Am I Good At Quiz","id":13996558,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Am-I-Good-at","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Am I Good At Quiz"},{"title":"What Human Emotion Am I Quiz","id":13428156,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Human-Emotion-Am-I-Quiz","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Human Emotion Am I Quiz"},{"title":"Type A B C D Personality Test","id":13714623,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Type-A-B-C-D-Personality-Test","image":"\"Type<\/picture>","alt":"Type A B C D Personality Test"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

What Is Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder?

Depersonalization-derealization disorder (DDD) is when someone persistently believes they’re living in a dream or outside of their body. For some, this can be a repetitive but not intrusive thought; for others, it can be depleting. People with DDD have a sense that the things around them (people, buildings, etc.) aren’t real. This can be disorienting and often interferes with relationships, work, and daily activities.

A person with DDD may experience depersonalization and/or derealization symptoms. While the terms are similar, they aren’t the same thing.

Depersonalization symptoms include:

  • Feelings of being outside of your body.
  • Feeling like a robot.
  • A sense that your body is distorted.
  • Emotional and/or physical numbness.

Derealization symptoms include:

  • Feelings of being alienated.
  • Being emotionally disconnected from loved ones.
  • Blurry or unclear surroundings.
  • Lack of time perception.

Depending on the individual, symptoms of depersonalization and derealization can last for hours, days, or weeks. Keep in mind that these symptoms can also be from other mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

While the cause of this disorder is unknown, psychotherapy and medications have been proven to ease symptoms and help those with DDD live a normal life. If you resonate with any of these symptoms, reach out to your doctor or therapist for help—you don’t have to go through this alone!

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Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.

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Reader Success Stories

  • Carlos S.

    Nov 3, 2023

    "This is so helpful!! People should definitely take this quiz to see if they have Derealization!!"
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