Abstract
Depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPD) is marked by detachment from oneself, one’s body, and the external world. Paradoxically, this detachment also involves dissolution of the boundary between the self and the object, and creating a sense of unity. The present article explores self-identity in DPD through Eastern philosophical perspectives, especially those derived from Buddhist thoughts and ideas held by the Kyoto School scholars. Using the proposition “I am I, because I am not I” as a central theme, we argue that the self is not a fixed entity, but rather is a dynamic process of division and reconstruction. We propose a model in which the everyday self, typically assumed as “I (A = A),” reveals its inherent indeterminacy and a nature of “non-self” (A ≠ not A, and even A = ∞). Such a self undergoes momentary deconstruction, leading to emergence of a renewed identity. Such fluid and discontinuous processes reflect a transformative nature of selfhood, as seen in depersonalization experiences. Rather than viewing DPD solely as a pathological state, we propose that DPD could be viewed as an encounter with a universal layer of consciousness. By moving beyond a rigid framework of identity—shifting from “I am I” to “I am neither anyone in particular nor anyone at all, and in that sense, I am I”— we propose a new perspective on depersonalization that emphasizes its potential as a profound existential experience rather than a mere psychiatric disorder.
