Mental Health Society of Greater Victoria

Mental Health Society of Greater Victoria We’re here to connect Greater Victoria with mental health services & resources. Replacing stigma and barriers with access and compassion since 2018.

The symptoms of depersonalization-derealization disorder (DPDR) are typically a mixture of the symptoms from the two par...
09/01/2026

The symptoms of depersonalization-derealization disorder (DPDR) are typically a mixture of the symptoms from the two parts, with the specific prevalence of symptoms differing person to person.

*For more detailed examples of symptoms of depersonalization and derealization check out our posts dedicated to those topics*

It is not uncommon for people without DPDR to experience occasional disconnection (transient depersonalization), but DPDR has long-lasting symptoms.

DPDR's symptoms cause distress, with rumination and fear that something is very wrong with you being very common. Unfortunately, this fear may lead to an increase in symptoms.

The exact causes are unknown, but it is mainly believed to be brought on by trauma.

It is believed to occur in 1-2% of people, typically having symptom onset around age 16. There is a fairly equal prominence between men and women.

This is the fifth post in our Dissociation series.



Sources:
- Cleveland Clinic - Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder
- Psychiatry.org - What Are Dissociative Disorders?
- ChoosingTherapy.com - Derealization Vs. Depersonalization: Understanding the Differences

08/31/2026

Recovery is possible and education is important 💜

Today, on International Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the lives lost, support those who are struggling.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, support is available. You don’t have to navigate it alone💜

Need naloxone?
Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose and is available: free at many pharmacies and community locations across BC.
You can find a nearby location through the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Take Home Naloxone program.

Recovery is possible. Overdose is preventable. Every life matter💜

08/29/2026

Our thoughts can feel so real, but they aren't always. Just because a thought is critical and negative, doesn't mean it's true. Question what goes through your head.

08/22/2026

You always have options. And we're always here to help.

❤️

Professionals have grouped and labeled different dissociative experiences, one of which is depersonalization.Depersonali...
08/19/2026

Professionals have grouped and labeled different dissociative experiences, one of which is depersonalization.

Depersonalization is when you experience a detachment from yourself, which you are aware is not reality.

Some common examples of symptoms are:
- Feeling like you’re watching yourself in a film or from the outside
- Feeling as if you’re floating or your head is full of cotton
- Not recognizing yourself in the mirror
- Feeling like your body is not your own
- Feeling like you’re simply observing your feelings instead of experiencing them
- Feeling an emotional numbness, even in situations that should be emotionally intense
- Feeling as though you’re living on autopilot, with no real thoughts or feelings attached to your actions, like you’re a robot
- Worrying that you don’t have control of yourself or that your memories are not your own / not real
- Being temporarily unable to speak
- Feeling like your limbs are distorted, enlarged, shrunken, or changing sizes
- Worrying about your symptoms / that something is wrong with you

This is the fourth post in our Dissociation series.



Sources:
- ChoosingTherapy.com - Derealization Vs. Depersonalization: Understanding the Difference
- Mind.Org.UK - Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders
- Psychology Today - Dissociation

08/18/2026

You may feel stuck but you can always change.

August is Autoinflammatory Awareness Month 🔥 Inflammation isn't just about your body 🏥 It affects your mental health bot...
08/14/2026

August is Autoinflammatory Awareness Month 🔥 Inflammation isn't just about your body 🏥 It affects your mental health both directly (by activating the fear center of your brain) and indirectly (by contributing to isolation) ❤️‍🩹

It's normal to feel lasting mood changes after a flare up.

But there is support available in Victoria and across Canada 💪

- The Victoria Disability Resource Centre offers peer support.
- Immunitycanada.org hosts bi-monthly virtual meetups for those with primary immunodeficiencies.
- Selfmanagementbc.ca offers health programs for those with chronic conditions.

Learn more about these newly identified diseases and support research at autoinflammatory.org and autoinflammatory.ca 🫂


Have you checked out our new little free library at 1155 Mason Street in Fernwood? 🫂Our community has come together to f...
08/05/2026

Have you checked out our new little free library at 1155 Mason Street in Fernwood? 🫂Our community has come together to fill it with books about mental health, mindfulness, and addiction 📚 Come grab a book and meet our friendly mascot, Sir Picklelot 😻

Thank you to our June Volunteer of the Month, Prasidha! We're so grateful for the work you do to support our fundraising...
07/30/2026

Thank you to our June Volunteer of the Month, Prasidha! We're so grateful for the work you do to support our fundraising goals, balance the books and keep things on track.

We're looking for a new volunteer to join our fundraising team. Do you have an accounting background and a passion for community building? We want to meet you! Link in bio to learn more.

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