Depersonalisation — when nothing feels real

Depersonalisation — when nothing feels real

Author: ABC Australia August 2, 2025 Duration: 30:06

Have you ever felt like things were not quite real?

That you were no longer connected to your body or didn’t know who you were?

Nathan Dunne felt this way for years. And it’s never quite stopped affecting the way he sees himself or the world around him.

Today, depersonalisation disorder — and what we know about its symptoms, causes and treatments.

And a heads up, this episode discusses heavy topics such as suicide. Please take care while listening.

You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.

Guests:

Nathan DunneAuthor, When Nothing Feels Real

Dr Emma CernisClinical psychologist and researcherAssisant Professor of Clinical PsychologyUniversity of BirminghamCentre Lead, Midlands Dissociation & Depersonalisation Centre

Credits:

  • Presenter/Producer: Sana Qadar
  • Reporter/Senior Producer: James Bullen
  • Producer: Rose Kerr
  • Sound Engineer: Tegan Nicholls

If you enjoyed this episode, you might like:

More Information:

When Nothing Feels Real - Nathan Dunne

Unreal: Depersonalisation and Derealisation Support

Like being trapped behind a pane of glass – depersonalisation, derealisation disorder explained (The Conversation, 2025)

Depersonalisation-derealisation as a transdiagnostic treatment target: a scoping review of the evidence in anxiety, depression, and psychosis (Frontiers in Psychology, 2025)

The Prevalence of Depersonalization-Derealization Disorder: A Systematic Review (Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 2023)

Support resources:

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue


Ever wondered what's really happening inside your head? Each week, All In The Mind from ABC Australia ventures into the complex landscape of human thought and feeling. This isn't just a dry science lecture; it's a thoughtful exploration of the experiences that shape us, hosted by curious minds who know how to tell a compelling story. You'll hear conversations that bridge the gap between scientific research and the messy reality of daily life, delving into topics as diverse as the mechanisms of memory, the challenges of breaking an addiction, or the ethical puzzles posed by artificial intelligence. The discussions are grounded and accessible, making the inner workings of the brain relevant to anyone interested in health, behaviour, or simply understanding themselves a little better. By tuning into this podcast, you join a community considering how our mental universe influences everything from our personal fitness to our social connections. It’s a weekly opportunity to pause and reflect on the fascinating forces-both biological and psychological-that drive what we do and who we are. The production brings together expert insights with genuine human stories, creating a space where complex ideas about the mind and behaviour are unpacked with clarity and depth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 251

All In The Mind
Podcast Episodes
The five types of stalker and how to spot them [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:58
Earlier this year, the Netflix program Baby Reindeer brought stalking firmly back into the zeitgeist - sparking discussion about the psychology of people who stalk and the impact it has on victims.So what goes on in the…
What we get wrong about attachment styles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:39
Attachment theory is a foundation of modern psychology — a framework for understanding human relationships and how we connect other people.But has social media taken this concept — grounded in decades of research — too f…
The false promise of love languages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:28
Do you know your love language? Maybe you've done an online test — tested your partner — spent time talking it over — even made decisions about your relationship on the basis of your love language.But where did this conc…
The damage done by emotionally immature parents [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:37
How would you describe your parents?Nobody's perfect, of course, but some parents leave more of a mark than others.Today, we revisit the life-long impact of having 'emotionally immature' parents, as Dr Lindsay Gibson's b…
Turning sleeplessness into stargazing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
Can't sleep? Worries keeping you up at night? It might be time to look to the stars.For National Science Week, we're investigating the relationship between the night sky and mental wellbeing.So can spending time under th…
Why do athletes choke under pressure? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:09
The siren has sounded. The scores are even. A footy player has one final chance to kick an easy goal to get his team into the finals.He’s right in front of the goals. He lines up. Kicks. Misses. The pressure of such a mo…
Conspiracies: why people change their mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:31
What if your entire understanding of the world — your beliefs, how you parent, how you work, how you interact with friends at the pub — all came crashing down?For Stephanie, Jules and Joel — who are all former conspiracy…
How bystanders (like you) can help stop domestic violence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
After enduring years of abuse, Robyn Westgate was jailed for the murder of her husband. Now out of prison, she runs training programs that aim to reduce domestic violence.Robyn says the key is empowering people to be bet…