Depersonalization Disorder Treatment in India

Krishna Joshi, a 28-year-old software engineer...

Krishna Joshi, a 28-year-old software engineer from Mumbai, had always been high-achieving but intensely private. The symptoms began subtly after a year of relentless 80-hour work weeks and the emotional strain of a broken engagement. He started feeling like he was watching his own life through a thick, foggy pane of glass. His hands typing code didn't feel like his own; the laughter of his friends sounded distant and muffled. He described it as 'living in a VR simulation of my own life.' He became increasingly withdrawn, his work performance plummeting. His primary care doctor, after ruling out physical causes, referred him to Dr. Mehta, a psychiatrist specializing in dissociative disorders. Dr. Mehta diagnosed Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder (DPDR), explaining it was likely his brain's extreme response to prolonged stress and emotional pain. The recommendation was a structured treatment plan starting with psychotherapy, specifically a blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Grounding Techniques, and a low-dose SSRI to address co-occurring anxiety. In therapy, Krishna slowly learned to identify and challenge the catastrophic thoughts ('I'm going crazy') that fueled his episodes. He practiced sensory grounding, focusing on the texture of his desk, the taste of chai, to tether himself to the present. The process was frustrating and slow; some days he felt hopeless. However, after six months of consistent work, the 'fog' began to lift. He could feel the sun on his skin as his own sensation. His emotional journey was from a state of terrified detachment and isolation to one of re-engagement. He's not 'cured', stress can still trigger mild symptoms, but he now has the tools to manage them. He feels reconnected to his life, is rebuilding friendships, and has found a new balance with work, viewing his recovery as the hardest and most important project he's ever undertaken.