Comparing depersonalization/derealization-like experiences arising in clinical contexts vs. meditation
Erola Pons, Axel Lindner, Julieta Galante, Nicholas T. van Dam
2021 preprint DOI: 10.17605/osf.io/ydqv4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preregistration |
|---|---|
| Measures | Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (CDS), Mysticism Scale (MS), Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI), Challenging Experiences Questionnaire (CEQ), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: nonjudging of inner experience (FFMQ-NJ), nonreactivity to inner experience (FFMQ-NR) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Proposes to compare DPDR-like experiences arising in meditation versus other contexts (e.g., trauma, stress, cannabis use), testing the paradox that such experiences are linked to distress in general but are often valued positively in meditation. The planned questionnaires will assess phenomenology, positive and negative self-dissolution experiences, and two mindfulness facets. |
Abstract
Depersonalization/Derealization (DPDR) encompasses experiences of unreality about and detachment from oneself and the world. For example, people with DPDR may feel as if their body did not belong to them or as if they were not the “doers” of their actions. Case reports suggest that similar experiences might be associated to the practice of meditation (Castillo, 1990) but often with different emotional valence: while for most people these states tend to be associated with depression and anxiety (American Psychiatric Association, 2013), in meditation they are often considered an important achievement and to improve mental well-being (Albahari, 2006). Despite this evident paradox, no study has compared DPDR-experiences arising in meditation vs. in other contexts directly. The current project aims to examine and compare DPDR-like experiences arising in meditation vs. in other contexts (e.g., triggered by trauma, stress, or cannabis use). For this, we will perform a mixed-methods investigation including questionnaires, which are the focus of this preregistration. Specifically, we will examine similarities and differences between the two groups (trigger meditation vs. other contexts) in the following domains by means of the following questionnaires: - phenomenology via the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (CDS) (Sierra & Berrios, 2000) - positive and negative experiences associated with the dissolution of the sense of self via questionnaires originally developed to study mystical and psychedelic experiences, the Mysticism Scale (MS) (Streib et al., 2020), the Ego-Dissolution Inventory (EDI) (Nour et al., 2016) (both for positive experiences), and the Challenging Experiences Questionnaire (CEQ) (Barrett et al., 2016) (for negative experiences) - two facets of mindfulness via two subscales of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: "nonjudging of inner experience" (FFMQ-NJ) and "nonreactivity to inner experience" (FFMQ-NR) (Baer et al., 2008)