The Prevalence of Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder: A Systematic Review

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2022-06-14

Authors

Yang, Jinyang
Millman, Merritt
David, Anthony S.
Hunter, Elaine C. M.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract

Depersonalization-Derealization disorder (DDD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by persistent feelings of detachment from one’s self and of unreality about the outside world. This review aims to examine the prevalence of DDD amongst different populations. A systematic review protocol was developed before literature searching. Original articles were drawn from three electronic databases and included only studies where prevalence rates of DDD were assessed by standardized diagnostic tools. A narrative synthesis was conducted. Twenty-three papers were identified and categorized into three groups of participants: general population, mixed in/outpatient samples, and patients with specific disorders. The prevalence rates ranged from 0% to 1.9% amongst the general population, 5–20% in outpatients and 17.5–41.9% in inpatients. In studies of patients with specific disorders, prevalence rates varied: 1.8–5.9% (substance abuse), 3.3–20.2% (anxiety), 3.7–20.4% (other dissociative disorders), 16.3% (schizophrenia), 17% (borderline personality disorder), ~50% (depression). The highest rates were found in people who experienced interpersonal abuse (25–53.8%). The prevalence rate of DDD is around 1% in the general population, consistent with previous findings. DDD is more prevalent amongst adolescents and young adults as well as in patients with mental disorders. There is also a possible relationship between interpersonal abuse and DDD, which merits further research.

Description

35 pages

Keywords

dissociative disorders, epidemiology, systematic review

Citation

Jinyan Yang, L. S. Merritt Millman, Anthony S. David & Elaine C.M. Hunter (2023) The Prevalence of Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder: A Systematic Review, Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 24:1, 8-41, DOI: 10.1080/15299732.2022.2079796