Several books, films, websites, forums and groups for and by those affected by depersonalization disorder have become available.
Expert literature/Guide: Baker, Dawn; Hunter, Elaine; Lawrence, Emma; David, Anthony, Overcoming Depersonalization & Feelings of Unreality. A self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques, Self-published, 2010.
A group of researchers wrote this book specifically for people affected by depersonalization disorder. After an introduction into depersonalization disorder, the majority of the book is dedicated to discussing self-treatment of symptoms with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Therein, CBT methods are introduced and presented in a way useful for treating depersonalization symptoms. The content of the book is very much geared towards the needs of those affected. Therefore, it is highly recommended.
Expert literature/Guide: Fugen Neziroglu, Katharine Donnelly, Overcoming Depersonalization Disorder, New Harbinger Publications, 2010.
In this book, the authors employ acceptance and commitment therapy to deal with depersonalization disorder. They provide a rather comprehensive introduction into this rather new method of therapy and present a range of useful exercises for dealing with depersonalization. Even though the book was written for those affected, some of the proposed methods may be difficult to implement without support or accompaniment by a therapist.
Expert literature/Guide: Abugel, Jeffrey, Stranger to My Self. Inside Depersonalization: The Hidden Epidemic, Johns Road Publishing, Carson, Virginia, 2010.
The author Abugel himself is affected by depersonalization disorder and embarks on a journey to understanding the disorder. He investigates symptoms, physiology, connections with other psychiatric disorders, as well as possible therapeutic methods. Many experts, with whom the author had years’ worth of contact, weigh in. Also, the book makes available the voices of those affected, which are very helpful and interesting. Abugel also finds affected people in the areas of culture and art and presents stories of people who have overcome the disorder.
Biographical guide (in German): V.M. Dame, Das kaputte Ich. Mein Weg durch die Depersonalisation und Derealisation, Eigenverlag, 2016.
The author describes her own journey through the disorder in a very personal manner, including those things that helped her to overcome the symptoms. She writes very intensively about irrational fears that can arise among those affected by depersonalization disorder. The author also runs a Facebook page (in German): https://www.facebook.com/daskaputteich/?ref=nf
Biographical guide (in German): Daniel Müller, Ausweg aus dem Sog der Fremde. Ein Ratgeber zum Umgang mit Depersonalisation mit Ansatzpunkten, sie zu überwinden, Eigenverlag, 2015.
The author clearly focuses on methods to overcome the disorder. He writes about his experiences with the disorder in the (German) book “Im Sog der Fremde” (Eigenverlage, 2014). The author also runs a Facebook page (in German): https://www.facebook.com/imsogderfremde/
Biographical guide (in German), Suzanne Segal, Kollision mit der Unendlichkeit. Ein Leben jenseits des persönlichen Selbst, Rowohlt Verlag, Hamburg, 2000.
Segal describes her biography in this book in a very personal manner. She speaks about the young girl who already meditated, about the adolescent who followed different spiritual teachers, up to the adult, who suddenly loses her personal left from one day to the next. Segal describes her year-long odyssey from one doctor to the next, until she finds a spiritual explanation for her suffering and turns it into a positive condition.
Biographical guide: Kevin Klix, Stop Unreality. A Guide to Conquering Depersonalization, Derealization, DPD, Anxiety & Depression, Self-published, 2015.
The author was affected by depersonalization. He has collected information about depersonalization disorder from a very personal perspective. A large part of the book is dedicated to the connections between depersonalization, stress, trauma, alcohol, etc. Dealing with depersonalization disorder is mainly covered in the context of accepting the disorder and concentrating on the moment. The author is a professional writer, so the book is very well-written.
Biographical guide: Shaun O Conner, The Depersonalization Manual. A Recovered Suffers’s Complete Guide to RECOVERY, Self-published, 2016.
The author himself was affected by depersonalization for some time and brought together his insights in this manual. O Conner’s main thesis is, that depersonalization disorder is a form of anxiety disorder. He recommends keeping the mind constantly busy and keeping on living life.
The author also runs a website: http://www.dpmanual.com/
Harris Harrington
Harrington was also affected by depersonalization. He shares his experiences through various channels.
Website: http://depersonalizationrecovery.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/HarrisHarrington
Articles: http://depersonalizationrecovery.com/articles/
Harrington also lists a range of helpful tools.
Sandy Gale (Englisch)
Gale has been affected by depersonalization disorder since her early childhood. On her very personal website she writes openly about her childhood, her relationship to her parents, her symptoms, her successful and unsuccessful attempts at therapy. In addition, she publishes a lot of information on depersonalization disorder generally and provides tips on books, films, groups, and forums.
www.dreamchild.net
Film: Tarnation, 2003.
Tarnation is an autobiographical movie by Jonathan Caouette, who tells his life and family story in this movie. Even as a child, Caouette filmed important sequences in his life with a Super-8-Camera. He compiled these recordings into a complete film with a voice-over. In the film, Caouette also speaks about being affected by depersonalization disorder, which was triggered by different family circumstances.
There is a comprehensive forum for and by people affected by depersonalization disorder: http://www.dpselfhelp.com/forum/
The forum is very active and there are several thousand contributions to various topics.