What is the primary characteristic of derealization?

The primary characteristic of derealization is the perception that the external world is strange or unreal. Individuals experiencing derealization may describe their surroundings as distorted, foggy, or dreamlike, leading to a heightened sense of detachment from the environment. This can result in the feeling that objects or people are altered in terms of size, shape, or even color, contributing to the overall sense that reality itself has shifted or become artificial.

Derealization often occurs in conjunction with anxiety or stress but fundamentally focuses on the perception of the external world, distinguishing it from other dissociative symptoms. For instance, while feelings of estrangement from oneself can relate to other conditions, such as depersonalization, the essence of derealization specifically relates to how one perceives their environment.