Hello everyone, I am new on the forum, happy to be here and hope you will help me a bit to understand what happened to me.

I was an amator motocross rider during my youth (from 8 to 18 years old) and suffered multiple concussions (4 KO and others subconcussive hits).

I had over 3 years some PCS for sure (memory, headache and so on). But currently my main issues are the depersonalization and derealisation states.
It consumes me literaly, because it is like i ve lost a part of myself ans can't interact with the physical world anymore.

So I would like to know if someone has already dealt with that and recovered. (Even years after)

I question myself if it can be a stress delayed response of my brain from past injuries (because at that time I wasn't really affected by them because I was a child)
Or maybe the worst : CTE??
Is it physiological (permanent) or psychological (treatable-linked to how the brain cells are interconnected- functional)?

I have already done CT scans- MRI (neck / head) - fmri and everything seems to be ok

Thank you

Theo#245

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

What is dpdr disorder?

Do you mean depersonalization and derealisation? I've never heard either called a disorder.

My first question is simple.

How is your sleep? Not hours of sleep.

Do you get deep restful sleep?

Insomnia and disturbed sleep is a common struggle for people with a history of concussions.

Do you know if you are breathing properly during your sleep?

Do you have access to a Fit Bit or other worn body monitor to see how your body acts during sleep?

Do you consume energy drinks or caffeine drinks?

I have more questions but these need to be discussed first.

Hello and thank you for your answer

What is dpdr disorder?
Do you mean depersonalization and derealisation?
->Yes it is about that

How is your sleep? Not hours of sleep.
-> i have no difficulties to fall asleep and don t wake up during my sleep.

Do you get deep restful sleep?
->Yes i think so

Do you know if you are breathing properly during your sleep?
->I don't know to be honest, i never question that and don t know how i can check it

Do you have access to a Fit Bit or other worn body monitor to see how your body acts during sleep?
-> no i haven't but i can try if it is worth it

Do you consume energy drinks or caffeine drinks?
-> not at all

I have more questions but these need to be discussed first.
->tell me

Are you taking any medications? Meds such as antidepressants or pain pills can cause dpdr mental difficulties during a concussion.

The brain is capable of regenerating and repairing itself, but it needs optimal conditions and optimal nutrition to do so.

PCS is an inflammatory condition, and a lot of the foods we eat cause inflammation which will contribute to symptoms and inhibit the healing. Neuro-inflammation is also linked to mental health issues.

So stop eating inflammatory foods - Processed foods, fried foods, fast food, sugary drinks, wheat, and industrial seed oils. Eat whole foods with lots of fat, animal fats, fish for omega-3, protein, vegetables, fruits, and low in starches.

I don t take any Medications.

I know a lot of things that can help me treat PCS ( diet, cardio, meditation, vision, vestibular exercices)

But to be honest, it seems to be different that I normaly hear about PCS.
In fact, all the physical symptoms like headache, sensibility to noise, light, difficulty to sleep, fatigue that we are used to hearing are not really mine,

I am not sure if it is PCS to be honest, i don t really know what happen, I can say that i have the sensation to be in an altered state of consciousness, completely detached from the reality, like when you smoke weed.

It is weird and don t know how to cope with that.

By the way I eat a lot of anti inflammatory foods : avocado, salmon, nuts, almond, curcuma..

Do you wake up easily and alert?

When do you sense this derealization?

I would focus on sleep and proper breathing first.

Have you had Covid?

Hello Theo, welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

Sorry this is so long but I cannot write this out shorter, it's the way my brain works.

Were you actually diagnosed by a doctor as having DDD (dp/dr disorder) as defined by the DSM-5? There are many different differential diagnoses to be ruled out first.

It's my understanding this condition would be extremely rare and that transient feelings of depersonalization and derealization can occur in a large proportion of the population for many, many different reasons. "Other Medical Conditions" is an exclusion for a diagnosis of DDD or dp/dr disorder as you called it.

Experiencing episodes of depersonalization and derealization and having DDD (dp/dr Disorder) would have different causes, different treatments and thus different potential outcomes.

I read an article on Brainline regarding depersonization and derealization after head injury. Many years ago when I was dealing with PCS I also experienced the feeling that everything was "surreal" or "unreal". It was transient although it did make me extremely anxious and depressed at the time because it totally changed my ability to interact with the world. I'm pretty sure that this is the same experience that many other PCS patients have talked about here. PTSD is also talked about there.

Interestingly I experienced the exact same feelings during my year long brain fog after I had Gamma-Knife stereotactic surgery for brain metastases, so I guess it was from the radiation. Brain injury. Was transient.

I also experience a certain amount of dp/dr during the prodome stage of my migraines. It alerts me that I have migraine coming.

I have also seen this dp/dr in a couple of patients after Stroke. It can also occur in people with Epilepsy. Is transient.

I've also experienced it and have seen it in patients taking certain psychotrophic medications (in my case an SSRI long before head injury) and I read that it occurs with consuming certain drugs. Was transient.

I'm not sure what country you live in Theo. I'm interested in the type of doctors you have seen. Also if you are in different area then the ICD 10 criteria could be different. I had to stop reading...

Why Does Everything Seem So Surreal After Brain Injury? | BrainLine

Depersonalization in the DSM-5 | Psychology Today

DSM-5
Depersonalization/Dereallzation Disorder - Diagnostic Criteria 300.6 (F48.1)
Page 339 of 970 in pdf (lots of scrolling ugh)
DSM-5 pdf

Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder - DSM-5 Code 300.6

I think the time I derealize the less is early in the morning and after the sunset.

I understand that I derealize as soon as i am walking in the street and see people, cars and so on moving in a strange way, like I don t feel part of this.
Even during a conversation.
It is weird, I can see what there is around me but can t process it, which means my environnement is not caught by my consciousness.

My sleep is good, I have enough time sleeping, not
Disturb at all and a night from start to finish without waking up.

Yes i ve already had covid one time, the past year but it didn t create something wrong on me.

Hello, thank you for your answer.
I have already seen a psychologist but i convince myself that the issue was physiological and not psychological that is why i stopped to go to the latter.

Soon i will go see a neurosurgeon specialised on concussion management.
So he will be able to create a review of what i really have.
Maybe it is related to head injury maybe not.
After that i will have clearer idea on what happened to me.

Let us know how you get on with the Neurologist. Here's hoping that your depersonalization will fade away as you recover.

If you get time you may want to check out some past posts here.

If you use the Advanced Search feature and type in "depersonalization" e.g., then check the Traumatic Brain Injury and PCS Forum box, you'll bring up pages of past posts that contain some really helpful information on how others deal with their periods of depersonalization during PCS recovery. Work on your stress levels especially keep positive about recovery. Check diet and take note of specific supplements that others have found helpful.

https://www.neurotalk.org/search.php

take care