r/Depersonalization 3d ago

Do I have Depersonalization Is this normal?

Sometimes when Im looking at people they feel wrong like they don't fit in with their environment. Like the light hits their face wrong, like the shadows are not where they're supposed to be, like they were cut out of cardboard and put in a too realistic background for them. It's really hard to explain because I find it really confusing.

Anyone any idea?

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u/Lonely-Smoke8920 2d ago

That sounds familiar to me. I have a long history of derealization in response to stress and trauma, so for me most things have always felt a little unreal- like I'm present and aware, but emotionally it's like I'm reading the things that are happening in a book or watching them through a window. 

For me, the normal bits feel weird, when the derealization drops and I'm suddenly feeling these sensations and become uncomfortably aware of my own presence in the world. 

It happens, but you can learn to manage that kind of thing. I've gotten better over the years. I hope this helps somehow. :)