01:50 - How Weed Triggered the DPDR 03:34 - The Symptoms of DPDR 09:27 - Finding that it's called Depersonalization 10:18 - People who have had DPDR for 10 Years 14:11 - What Was Your Lowest Point? 15:48 - Grieving For The Person You Used To Be 17:40 - Feeling Jealous Of Other People 18:35 - Random Things Triggering The DPDR 19:26 - Wishing DPDR Was Something Else 21:05 - How Did Your Recovery Start? 29:20 - Can You Really Get Back To Normal? 30:45 - Understanding The Symptoms Of DPDR 32:45 - Worrying that DPDR is something else 35:40 - Getting Back To Normal After DPDR 38:15 - How Was The DP Manual Helpful? 39:50 - Outro
Check out my website and recovery program at: dpmanual.com
Disclaimer: Please note that the medical information contained within this video is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a professional physician and is not a recommendation of specific therapies
01:50 - How Weed Triggered the DPDR 03:34 - The Symptoms of DPDR 09:27 - Finding that it's called Depersonalization 10:18 - People who have had DPDR for 10 Years 14:11 - What Was Your Lowest Point? 15:48 - Grieving For The Person You Used To Be 17:40 - Feeling Jealous Of Other People 18:35 - Random Things Triggering The DPDR 19:26 - Wishing DPDR Was Something Else 21:05 - How Did Your Recovery Start? 29:20 - Can You Really Get Back To Normal? 30:45 - Understanding The Symptoms Of DPDR 32:45 - Worrying that DPDR is something else 35:40 - Getting Back To Normal After DPDR 38:15 - How Was The DP Manual Helpful? 39:50 - Outro
Check out my website and recovery program at: dpmanual.com
Ankeβs experience with DPDR began suddenly, with no clear trigger. As she described it: βit just happened one random Friday evening β and from that moment on, the symptoms didnβt go away.β
What followed was a year-and-a-half struggle with some of the most intense derealization symptoms imaginable β where reality itself felt completely altered.
Her symptoms included: π Feeling completely detached from reality, as if the world around her wasnβt real π Everything looking warped, strange, and unfamiliar π The overwhelming sense of living in a dream β not even her own, but like she was stuck in someone elseβs dream
At its worst, Anke describes being afraid of the sky, multiple trips to the emergency room, and a constant sense that something was fundamentally wrong with reality itself.
It was one of the most extreme forms of derealization you can experience.
But despite how severe it became⦠she made a full recovery.
Anke recently wrote to me saying: βI bought your DP Manual in 2024 back when I was suffering from the worst DPDR in the world. I have since recovered and would like to share my story.β
β¨ And today, sheβs doing exactly that β sharing what those 18 months were like, what helped her come through it, and what life feels like now on the other side.
If youβre struggling with depersonalization, derealization, panic attacks, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or the feeling that reality doesnβt feel real anymore β this interview will resonate deeply.
Recovery is always possible.
β±οΈ Timestamps
00:00 Intro 03:40 βThe worst experience of my lifeβ 09:44 3 Trips to the Emergency Room 18:44 What triggered the DPDR? 26:29 Searching for a diagnosis 33:13 βThe 1 person who canβt recoverβ 37:29 βI was afraid of the sky!β 44:44 Panic Attack on Safari 47:38 Medication for DPDR 58:02 The Lowest Point 1:01:48 How Did Recovery Start? 1:07:23 The DP Manual 1:09:25 Can You REALLY Get Back To Normal? 1:20:25 Advice for DPDR sufferers
π§βπΌ About Anke
Anke Coetzer is 26 and based in South Africa. Her experience with Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder began suddenly and without warning, leading to 18 months of intense derealization where her sense of reality felt completely altered.
She experienced constant feelings of disconnection, visual distortion, and the terrifying sense that the world around her wasnβt real.
After discovering The DP Manual and understanding the anxiety-based nature of DPDR, she gradually began to recover.
Today, Anke is fully recovered and living her life normally again.
In this video I'll prove it to you, step by step. If youβve been stuck feeling disconnected, unreal, or trapped in your thoughts, this will show you exactly why DPDR recovery is not just possible, but inevitable.
π§ Why DPDR feels so convincing and permanent β‘ The common triggers (panic attacks, anxiety, weed/cannabis experiences) π Why everyone can recover β even after months or years π The real-world evidence from people who are now 100% back to normal
This isnβt guesswork -- itβs based on tens of thousands of recovery stories, real testimonials, and over 20 years of experience helping people overcome depersonalization and derealization.
β±οΈ Timestamps / Chapters 01:10 β It Is Possible To Recover From DPDR 02:57 β It Doesn't Matter How Long You've Had It 05:51 β The Trigger Doesn't Matter 10:19 β Recognize Anxiety's Secret Tactic 14:18 β Then Why Do People Still Have It?
What is DPDR? Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder (DPDR) is a common anxiety-based condition where you may feel disconnected from yourself (depersonalization) or from the world around you (derealization). Itβs often triggered by stress, panic attacks, or substances like cannabis β but crucially, it is temporary, harmless, and fully reversible.Weed Triggered My DPDR β Now Im Fully Recovered (3+ Years Back to Normal)Depersonalization Manual2026-03-24 | In this DPDR recovery interview, Mobin Nawabi (now 25) from Munich, Germany returns for a powerful follow-up conversation β more than 3 years after fully recovering from cannabis-induced Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder.
Mobinβs original interview was the very first recovery story ever shared on this channel. At the time, he had just come through a terrifying experience with DPDR after smoking weed β dealing with intense anxiety, panic attacks, and a complete sense of disconnection from reality.
Today, he is 100% back to normal β and has been for years.
This follow-up is incredibly important, because one of the biggest fears people have with DPDR is: π βEven if I recoverβ¦ will I ever feel completely normal again?β
Mobinβs story answers that question clearly: Yes. Full recovery is real. And it lasts.
Mobinβs DPDR began after smoking cannabis, when a panic attack triggered a sudden and overwhelming shift in his perception of reality. Within days, he found himself stuck in a constant state of anxiety and disconnection.
His symptoms included: π Feeling disconnected from reality and his surroundings π§ Constant anxiety, panic attacks, and racing thoughts ποΈ Blurry vision and difficulty focusing π§ββοΈ Feeling trapped inside his own mind π Emotional numbness and loss of connection to loved ones
He described how his entire life seemed to change in the space of just a couple of weeks β as if everything familiar had been βstolenβ from him.
At his lowest point, he believed he might never recover.
But after discovering The DP Manual and applying the recovery principles, Mobin began to turn things around.
And now β more than three years later β heβs here to talk about: β’ what full recovery actually feels like β’ what a normal day is like without DPDR β’ why the fear of βnever being the same againβ isnβt true β’ and how life moves forward once DPDR is gone
If youβre dealing with depersonalization, derealization, anxiety after weed, panic attacks, existential thoughts, or the feeling that reality doesnβt feel real β this interview will give you real, grounded hope.
Recovery is always possible.
β±οΈ Timestamps
00:00 Intro 06:04 Weed Hangover or DPDR? 09:19 Symptoms of DPDR 17:21 What is life like after DPDR? 19:19 Recovery is simple! 21:14 Can you smoke weed after recovery? 27:39 What does recovery feel like? 31:34 ChatGPT and DPDR 33:50 "MY DPDR is different!" 37:02 What is a normal day like without DPDR? 44:21 What DPDR thoughts do you not obsess about anymore? 48:30 Are people more aware of DPDR today? 54:47 What advice would you NOT give to someone with DPDR? 58:54 Are you happy you went through DPDR? 01:06:15 "But I STILL think my DPDR is different!" 01:15:01 Can you REALLY get back to normal? 01:16:29 What's your best piece of advice?
Mobin Nawabi is from Munich, Germany. He developed Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder after smoking cannabis, which triggered a panic attack and a prolonged period of intense anxiety and disconnection.
At his worst, he felt completely detached from reality, struggled with intrusive thoughts, and believed he might never feel normal again.
After discovering The DP Manual and working through the recovery process, Mobin made a full recovery.
Today, more than three years later, he is living a completely normal life β with no lingering symptoms of DPDR.
#Depersonalization #Derealization #DPDR #DPDRRecovery #AnxietyRecovery #PanicAttack #WeedAnxiety #CannabisAnxietyFIVE Psychiatrists Couldnt Explain His DPDR β Now Hes Fully RecoveredDepersonalization Manual2026-03-15 | In this DPDR recovery interview, Lucas Alvarenga (40) from FlorianΓ³polis in southern Brazil shares how he fully recovered from Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder after a panic attack triggered severe derealization, existential anxiety, and obsessive thought loops about reality and consciousness. But today he is 100% back to normal after making a full recovery.
Lucas is an animal-rights activist and nonprofit executive who has worked with the international organization Mercy For Animals, campaigning against factory farming and promoting plant-based food systems around the world.
His experience with DPDR began when a panic attack triggered intense existential thoughts and a terrifying shift in how reality felt. What followed was a six-month period where his sense of reality and mental clarity were deeply disrupted.
His symptoms included: π Severe derealization, feeling dizzy and βdrunkβ, especially in busy environments π§ Intrusive thoughts and OCD-style rumination, constantly fearing he had somehow βbroken his brainβ π A looping, disconnected mental state β brain fog, light sensitivity, and the feeling of living in a dream
During this time Lucas saw five different psychiatrists, searching for answers. At one point he became convinced he was experiencing some kind of existential crisis or βdark night of the soul.β
It was an incredibly frightening experience. But after discovering The DP Manual, Lucas began to finally see improvements. We also spoke in a 1-to-1 coaching session, where I was able to give him personal guidance on his recovery.
And now, Lucas is fully recovered.
He recently wrote to me saying:
"I know that I could have gotten stuck in DPDR for years, but I'm now back to normal. I'd love to offer myself to be in one of your recovery videos. You played a huge part in helping me, directly and indirectly."
Today Lucas is here to share what those six months were like, what helped him come through it, and what life feels like now on the other side.
If youβre dealing with depersonalization, derealization, existential fear, intrusive thoughts, or the sense that reality feels unreal, this interview will resonate deeply. Recovery is always possible.
β±οΈ Timestamps
00:00 Intro 07:30 DPDR after a panic attack 15:10 βI think I'm going crazyβ 22:30 Enlightenment and Solipsism 26:26 Asking ChatGPT about DPDR 41:20 Light at the end of the tunnel 43:53 Finding the term DPDR 45:24 Dark night of the soul 51:10 Psilocybin and Magic Mushrooms 56:02 Should you Meditate with DPDR? 1:00:18 βI need a solution right NOW!β 1:05:47 Lucas' Lowest Point 1:12:35 Starting to Recover 1:16:15 What does DPDR recovery FEEL like? 1:19:11 Was The DP Manual helpful? 1:21:06 DPDR Recovery Zoom Coaching 1:22:22 Can you REALLY get back to normal? 1:25:19 Advice for people with DPDR
π§βπΌ About Lucas
Lucas Alvarenga is an animal-rights activist and nonprofit executive based in FlorianΓ³polis, Brazil. He has worked with the international organization Mercy For Animals, campaigning to reduce cruelty in industrial animal agriculture and advocating for plant-based food systems.
After a panic attack triggered severe depersonalization and derealization, Lucas experienced six months of intense existential anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and a persistent sense that reality no longer felt normal.
Once he understood DPDR as an anxiety-based condition and began applying the recovery principles discussed in The DP Manual, his nervous system gradually settled and the symptoms faded.
Today, Lucas is fully recovered and living a normal life again.
Michaelβs symptoms began in 2022, just before his senior year of college. What started as a panic reaction turned into an 18-month battle with constant unreality, existential anxiety, and overwhelming thought loops about the nature of reality.
His symptoms included: π Feeling like reality was fake π§ββοΈ Deep disconnection from the world around him π¦ Feeling like a βcardboard cutoutβ version of himself π§ Everything looking artificial or βplasticβ π Severe anxiety loops about solipsism and whether anything was real π΅ Exhaustion from constantly monitoring his own thoughts
In this conversation, we talk in detail about: β’ DPDR from a cannabis edible β’ Telling your family about DPDR β’ Feeling like a cardboard cutout β’ Michaelβs most frightening symptoms β’ Solipsism and existential thought loops β’ Why DPDR is so mentally exhausting β’ Coincidences and hyper-awareness β’ The lowest point β’ DPDR and alcohol β’ How recovery actually started β’ βRecovery happened in the backgroundβ β’ The DP Manual β’ Can you REALLY get back to normal? β’ Advice for anyone struggling with DPDR
During his recovery, Michael used to watch the interviews on this channel and tell himself: βOne day, Iβll be one of those interviews when I recover.β And now he is.
If youβre dealing with depersonalization after weed, derealization, existential fear, or the sense that reality feels fake β this interview will resonate deeply. Recovery is always possible.
β±οΈ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 04:41 DPDR from a Cannabis Edible 16:04 Telling your family about DPDR 20:03 βLike a cardboard cutoutβ 24:11 Michael's DPDR Symptoms 28:08 Solipsism 41:11 DPDR is Exhausting 42:41 Coincidences 44:48 The Lowest Point 47:11 DPDR and Alcohol 53:38 Starting to recover 1:00:47 βRecovery happened in the backgroundβ 1:09:59 The DP Manual 1:12:34 Can you REALLY get back to normal? 1:14:39 Advice for DPDR sufferers
π§βπΌ About Michael Michael developed weed-induced depersonalization and derealization disorder after consuming a low-dose cannabis edible in 2022. What followed was 18 months of constant unreality, intrusive existential thoughts, and severe anxiety.
Once he understood DPDR as an anxiety-based condition (and stopped fighting and monitoring the symptoms) recovery gradually took hold. Today, he is fully recovered and back to living his life without DPDR controlling it.
#Depersonalization #Derealization #DPDR #WeedInducedDPDR #AnxietyRecovery #DPDRRecoveryHow I Got Rid Of DPDR β Kirstens Recovery StoryDepersonalization Manual2026-02-21 | In this DPDR recovery interview, Kirsten (26) from Ireland shares how she fully recovered from long-term depersonalization and derealization disorder after two separate episodes that left her feeling unreal, disconnected, and terrified something was seriously wrong with her mind. But today she is 100% back to normal after making a full recovery.
Kirsten first experienced DPDR at age 22 following a traumatic event. That episode lasted eight months and eventually resolved with EMDR therapy. But at 23, chronic stress and anxiety triggered a second, even longer bout, lasting 13β14 months until March 2024.
During her second episode, Kirsten found The DP Manual while searching desperately for answers -- and toward the end, we also did a 1-to-1 Zoom coaching call together.
She later wrote to me:
βWe did a coaching call over a year ago now and two months after that, I recovered keeping your advice in mind!!β β¨
In this conversation, we talk in detail about:
β’ How Kirstenβs DPDR started β’ βItβs not psychosisβ -- understanding what DPDR really is β’ The impact of DPDR Reddit forums β’ Knowing other people with DPDR β’ EMDR therapy and trauma β’ Her second bout triggered by chronic stress β’ Visual symptoms and feeling unreal β’ Memory problems with DPDR β’ Hitting the point of βthereβs no way outβ β’ How recovery actually began β’ Feeling βpatheticβ while struggling β’ Does The DP Manual work? β’ DPDR Zoom coaching β’ Can you REALLY get back to normal? β’ Advice for anyone currently suffering
If youβre dealing with DPDR right now -- especially intrusive health fears, visual symptoms, or the belief that you're 'going crazy' β this interview will resonate deeply. Recovery is always possible.
β±οΈ Timestamps
00:00 Intro 03:54 How Kirsten's DPDR Started 11:54 "It's not psychosis" 20:45 DPDR Reddit Forums 25:28 Knowing Other people with DPDR 29:53 EMDR 34:47 2nd Bout of DPDR 49:50 Symptoms of DPDR (Vision etc) 54:07 Memory Problems 1:04:51 "I thought there was no way out" 1:12:31 How Kirsten's DPDR Recovery started 1:26:55 Feeling 'pathetic' with DPDR 1:35:22 Does The DP Manual work? 1:36:51 DPDR Zoom Coaching 1:37:33 Can you REALLY get back to normal after DPDR? 1:40:04 Advice for DPDR sufferers
π§βπΌ About Kirsten
Kirsten experienced two significant episodes of depersonalization and derealization disorder in her early twenties β one trauma-induced and one triggered by chronic stress and anxiety. After months of intrusive fears, visual distortions, and feeling disconnected from herself, she made a full recovery and is now back to living her life free from DPDR.