This page explains derealisation—the dreamlike feeling that you or the world around you are unreal, distant, or strange. It covers common triggers, what to do during an episode, when to seek medical help, and how to explain it to someone you trust.
I suddenly feel as if I am in a dream even though I know what is happening is real. People and surroundings can seem distant and strange, especially when I am sleep-deprived, tired, or stressed, and the experience frightens me. I have felt this since childhood and want to understand what it is and how to explain it to others.
What you describe could be a dissociative episode, especially something called derealization. In derealization, you are awake and know the situation is real, but the room, people, sounds, or your body suddenly feel dreamlike, distant, far away, or strangely unreal. Less sleep, exhaustion and stress can trigger it, but those triggers do not prove the exact cause.
Because this has happened since childhood and starts so suddenly, tell a trusted adult and ask for a check with a doctor as well as a mental-health professional. Other problems, such as faintness, migraine, seizures, vision issues or panic, can feel similar and should be ruled out. If an episode includes fainting, shaking, losing awareness, weakness on one side, or a sudden severe headache, get urgent medical care immediately.
You can say: “Suddenly, while I am awake, everything around me feels far away or like a dream. I know it is real, but it does not feel real, and sometimes I feel dizzy. It comes on quickly, frightens me, and seems worse after poor sleep, tiredness, or stress.”
During an episode, sit down if you feel dizzy, press your feet firmly into the floor, and name five things you can see.
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