Derealization: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in medical or psychological settings to describe a condition where one feels that the external world is unreal or dreamlike. It often appears in discussions about mental health, particularly among those experiencing anxiety, depression, or dissociative disorders.

• She described her symptoms of derealization to the therapist, explaining that everything around her felt like a dream.
• For those suffering from derealization, everyday life might seem distant and surreal.

Typically used in everyday language to refer to a lack of connection or a severing of a previously existing connection, whether it be emotional, physical, or social. It can carry a negative connotation when referring to relationships or societal ties.

• After moving to a new city, he felt a sense of disconnection from his old friends.
• The disconnection between the two devices caused the software to malfunction.

Used less frequently in mainstream vocabulary, 'unreality' often describes a sense of something being not real or imaginary. It can be used in both casual and more formal contexts, and it often has a slightly negative or disconcerting connotation.

• The sense of unreality made it hard for her to focus on the task at hand.
• Walking through the abandoned city gave him an eerie feeling of unreality.

Often used both in everyday language and in psychological contexts to describe a state of disengagement or emotional disconnection from people, situations, or one's own feelings. It can carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation depending on the context.

• His detachment from the situation allowed him to think more clearly.
• Her emotional detachment is a defense mechanism to avoid getting hurt.