Donnelly Neziroglu Depersonalization

When I’m around a group of people, it’s like my brain checks out. I’m no longer there but somewhere slightly outside myself. I’m able to watch my reactions and to understand the feelings that should be there, but I suddenly feel that I don’t have control over what I do. It’s as if I’ve made a prior arrangement with my body about what it will do, as if my reactions are socially acceptable but aren’t immediately coming from me. Feeling like you’re not the one in control makes you feel that you’re totally out of control, even if everything looks calm from the exterior.

— Katharine Donnelly & Fugen Neziroglu, Overcoming Depersonalization Disorder