Imagine waking up one day and feeling completely disconnected from your own life, almost like watching a film where you’re the main character, but you feel nothing. That’s the reality of depersonalisation disorder, a condition as common as bipolar but tragically under-recognised.

Today’s guest, Nathan Dunne, knows this all too well. After a late-night swim in a freezing lake, Nathan emerged to find his identity completely gone, memories distant, emotions erased, and his sense of self shattered. In his powerful memoir, When Nothing Feels Real, Nathan’s intent is to shine a light on this hidden epidemic.

According to research, depersonalisation is the most misdiagnosed of all mental illnesses – it’s an invisible illness, which makes it terrifying for those experiencing it. Specialists estimate that anyone has a 1 in 50 chance of developing depersonalisation and there are currently around 585,000 Australians that have been diagnosed with DPD, but being tragically misdiagnosed and misunderstood by health professionals there are likely many more affected.

In this episode, Nathan shares his raw and courageous journey, from misdiagnosis and isolation to advocacy and understanding. We dive into the science, the stigma, and the very real human cost of living with DPD. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to lose touch with who you are, and fight your way back, this conversation is one you won’t forget.

What is depersonalisation disorder?

Depersonalisation/derealisation disorder involves a persistent or recurring feeling of being detached from one’s body or mental processes, like an outside observer of one’s life (depersonalisation) and/or a feeling of being detached from one’s surroundings (derealisation).

How common is it?

Over half a million people in Australia (2.2% of the population) and 1.3 million in the UK have experienced it, making it as prevalent as bipolar, but far more difficult to diagnose. High-profile people with depersonalisation include musicians Kid Laroi, Counting Crow's Adam Duritz and SNL's Bowen Yang.

In our interview, Nathan referred to Jane Charlton 2015 article which you can find HERE. And if you would like more information about where to go for help with Depersonalisation, Nathan suggests St Vincents Hospital in Sydney and this website: thiswayup.org.au

For more information about Nathan, check out these places;-

Website: https://www.nathandunne.com/ 

Instagram:   @nathanadunne

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;- [email protected]