Resources for people experiencing dissociation or depersonalisation
We know that it can be difficult to find trustworthy information about dissociation and depersonalisation online. Here, we have collected some of the resources that we think are accurate and would feel comfortable recommending.
If you have other resources to suggest, please tell us about them using the contact form, and we will take a look!
You are not alone: other people’s descriptions
-
"24 People Share What Depersonalization Really Feels Like"
The Mighty
-
"Scary and unpredictable: what is dissociation and what does it feel like?"
Metro
-
Life on Autopilot: A Guide to Living with Depersonalisation Disorder
Joe Perkins
-
"'I was very convinced that I didn't exist': 5 People Describe Their Experience With Dissociation"
Buzfeed News
-
Unreal: Life with Depersonalisation Disorder
A short film by Joe Perkins
This free booklet was co-produced in 2025 by young people with lived experience of dissociation & depersonalisation, the University of Birmingham, Unreal, and the McPin Foundation. It contains a wealth of knowledge specifically for young people (although parents and adults may find it useful, too!).
The resource explains what dissociation is, challenges common myths, gives advice for speaking to others and your GP, explains how to find trustworthy information online, and offers young person-approved ideas for self-care.
Download it for free using the arrow button underneath the image.
Through the Fog
Self-help
This book is written by the world leaders in depersonalisation-derealisation disorder. Based on scientific evidence and clinical experience, they talk you through how to apply CBT therapy techniques to your own experiences of DPDR. Contains worksheets and prompts to help you ‘be your own therapist’.
Note: the wepage linked below also has free downloadable worksheets taken from the book!
Support & advice
-
Peer support
Online peer support groups run by Unreal
-
For university students
SMaRten on YouTube
Resources from charities
-
Unreal
The UK charity for Depersonalisation Disorder
-
International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)
A US-based international not-for-profit organisation
-
Mind
Mind charity’s pages about dissociation
-
Rethink
Rethink charity’s pages about dissociation
On YouTube
Check out our YouTube playlist ‘MDDC Recommends..’.
(Click the symbol with three horizontal bars in the top right hand corner to view other videos in this list).
Downloadable files
-
Understanding Multiplicity for Young People
Manchester Metropolitan University & the Young Voices Study
- pdf information leaflet -
-
Factsheet: Dissociation & Dissociative Disorders
Rethink Mental Illness
- pdf information leaflet -