derealization

noun

de·​re·​al·​i·​za·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌrē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce derealization (audio)
: a feeling of altered reality (such as that occurring in schizophrenia or in some drug reactions) in which one's surroundings appear unreal or unfamiliar

Examples of derealization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In another form of dissociation, called derealization, people may experience time in slow motion, or their surroundings may not feel real. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024 People with dissociative psychiatric conditions such as derealization or depersonalization syndrome report that their perceptual worlds, even their own selves, lack a sense of reality. Anil K. Seth, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2019 People with depersonalization disorder often feel detached from their body or self, while those with derealization disorder feel detached from their surroundings or environment. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Health, 3 July 2024 All of our collective traumas can induce feelings of derealization, or the sense that the world around us is fundamentally out of balance with our own experiences or perceptions. Aja Romano, Vox, 15 July 2024 Because depersonalization and derealization are so similar, some people with depersonalization disorder may also experience derealization disorder. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Health, 3 July 2024 Instead, his colleagues arrested a 20-year-old psychiatric patient at St. Joseph's State Hospital who was being treated for auditory hallucinations, derealization and drug misuse. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 26 June 2023 Her parents, who were both doctors, realized that Sophie was describing episodes of depersonalization—also called derealization—a serious psychiatric symptom in which a person becomes detached from their own reality and begins to doubt whether the world around them is real. Mike Mariani, Wired, 16 Aug. 2022 The derealization episodes also returned. Mike Mariani, Wired, 16 Aug. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of derealization was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near derealization

Cite this Entry

“Derealization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derealization. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

derealization

noun
de·​re·​al·​iza·​tion
variants or British derealisation
: a feeling of altered reality that occurs often in schizophrenia and in some drug reactions
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