What Are the 4 Stages of Depersonalization?

A helpful way to understand depersonalization is to think of it as happening in four steps, although each person’s experience can be a bit different. In the first stage, you might have short, fleeting moments where you feel "not yourself" or like you’re in a dream. The second stage involves these feelings becoming more common. You may start noticing that you feel a bit detached from your thoughts or body when you are under stress. In the third stage, the feelings of detachment can grow stronger and more persistent. Here, you might feel emotionally numb or have trouble feeling connected to your surroundings. In the final stage, these feelings can become a constant part of your everyday life, making it hard to feel like you truly belong in your own skin. Experts have suggested these stages to help explain how depersonalization can move from mild experiences to more troubling ones. If these feelings are making life hard, it’s important to talk to a trusted adult or a mental health professional who can guide you to helpful support and treatment.