Freudian theory is the basis for the description of depersonalization as a dissociative reaction, placed within the category of psychoneurotic disorders, in the first two editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Some argue that because depersonalization and derealization are both impairments to ones ability to perceive reality, they are merely two facets of the same disorder. Depersonalization also differs from delusion in the sense that the patient is able to differentiate between reality and the symptoms they may experience. The ability to sense that something is unreal is maintained when experiencing symptoms of the disorder. The problem with properly defining depersonalization also lies within the understanding of what reality actually is. In order to comprehend the nature of reality we must incorporate all the subjective experiences throughout and thus the problem of obtaining an objective definition is brought about again. Society and culture
Depersonalization disorder has appeared in a variety of media. The director of the autobiographical documentary Tarnation, Jonathan Caouette, had depersonalization disorder. The screenwriter for the 2007 film Numb had depersonalization disorder, as does the films protagonist played by Matthew Perry. Norwegian painter Edvard Munchs famous masterpiece The Scream may have been inspired by depersonalization disorder. In Glen Hirshbergs novel The Snowmans Children, main female plot characters throughout the book had a condition that is revealed to be depersonalization disorder.
Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN) is a rare condition that occurs in otherwise healthy, often young patients and is due to the presence of a subretinal nematode. Signs and symptoms
The clinical findings in this disease can be divided into acute and end-stage manifestations:
In the acute phase, patients often present with decreased visual acuity, vitritis, papillitis, and crops of gray-white or yellow-white outer retinal lesions. The clustering of the retinal lesions is important because this often helps to localize the causative nematode. If left untreated, patients ultimately develop late sequel, which may include optic atrophy, retinal arterial narrowing, diffuse retinal pigment epithelial changes, and an abnormal electroretinogram. The late findings of this condition are often misinterpreted as unilateral retinitis pigmentosa. Cause
DUSN may be caused by a helminthic infection with Toxocara canis, Baylisascaris procyonis, or Ancylostoma caninum. The characteristic lesions are believed to result from a single nematode migrating within the subretinal space. Although previously thought to be endemic in some areas, that belief was likely due to under awareness. DUSN has been diagnosed in patients in many countries and climates including America, Brazil, China and India. Diagnosis
Treatment
If the nematode can be seen by an ophthalmologist, which occurs in less than half of cases, it should be treated with photocoagulation for extramacular location and surgical removal in case the larva is lying in the macula. After the worm is killed, visual acuity loss usually does not progress. Alternatively, Antihelminthic treatment such as high dose oral Albendazole and prednisolone may be used. References


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