Dr E. Verbeek: On depersonalization and derealization

First a description is given of the phenomena of depersonalization and derealization as typically subjective sensations of alienation of a totality, respectively of the individual from himself as a whole and of his whole surroundings. Both phenomena appear in very different and diverging syndroms and nosological entities. Of importance is to distinguish not only between depersonalization or derealization of a short duration and long-standing states of subjective alienation, but also between depersonalization and derealization appearing in pathological psychic states and as disturbances of mentally healthy individuals. A cassifilication is given and the two forms of alienation are differentiated from other phenomena as desorientation, hypochondria, aphasia, phantomsensations after amputations and of pathological sensations of becoming the object of strange and unintelligible influences from without themselves as it is the case with schizophrenics in the acute stadia. The connection with dreams is treated.
Heautoscopia, 'DoppelOnger'-experiences, so-called revenants and the conception of identical twins as extraordinary bearers of luck are understood as variations of depersonalization and derealization.
Finally the deeper meaning of both forms of alienation from self is indicated as a disturbance of the sympathical relation between the individual and his world (a relation constituted as a mode of being in the world) in the form of becoming aware of perceptions which ought to stay out of awareness.