depersonalization

English

Alternative forms

• depersonalisation

Etymology

Calque of French dépersonnalisation, equivalent to de- +‎ personalization.

Noun

depersonalization (countable and uncountable, plural depersonalizations)

1. The act of depersonalizing or the state of being depersonalized.

   He was in a critical state of depersonalization.

2. (psychology) The loss of one's sense of personal identity.

   Coordinate term: derealization

   His depersonalization causes a great deal of stress as he searches for an authentic personal identity.

   • 2015 September 4, Howard Swains, “Depersonalisation disorder: the condition you’ve never heard of that affects millions”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     Many people experience some form of temporary depersonalisation in their lives, typically at moments of extreme fatigue or high stress, such as during a car crash, where both the established defence options of fight or flight are removed. A number of recreational drugs also precipitate similar episodes.

3. (psychiatry) A feeling of being unreal, detached or unable to feel emotion.

   His severe depersonalization causes an aloof demeanor.

Derived terms

• depersonalization-derealization disorder

Further reading

• depersonalization on Wikipedia.Wikipedia