Depersonalization and meditation.
From a review of the literature on meditation and depersonalization and interviews conducted with six meditators, this study concludes that: 1) meditation can cause depersonalization and derealization; 2) the meanings in the mind of the meditator regarding the experience of depersonalization will determine to a great extent whether anxiety is present as part of the experience; 3) there need not be any significant anxiety or impairment in social or occupational functioning as a result of depersonalization; 4) a depersonalized state can become an apparently permanent mode of functioning; 5) patients with Depersonalization Disorder may be treated through a process of symbolic healing--that is, changing the meanings associated with depersonalization in the mind of the patient, thereby reducing anxiety and functional impairment; 6) panic/anxiety may be caused by depersonalization if catastrophic interpretations of depersonalization are present.
Castillo
R J
RJ
Department of Anthropology, Harvard University.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003702:Delusions / Q000523:psychology; D003861:Depersonalization / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012064:Relaxation Therapy