Depersonalization
A persistent feeling of being detached from your own identity or body, like an outside observer watching yourself from a distance. In burnout, it marks the loss of emotional connection to one's work and self.
Depersonalization is a psychological state characterized by a persistent sense of detachment from one's own identity, feelings, or physical body, often described as feeling like an outside observer of oneself. It is distinct from general dissociation in that it specifically targets the self-relation rather than the environment or memory. Clinically, it appears as a core symptom of certain anxiety disorders and can be a feature of burnout, where emotional exhaustion leads to a reduced sense of personal connection.
What this means in real life
After a car accident, someone might feel numb and watch themselves going through the motions of talking to police—hearing their own voice but feeling disconnected from it, as if they're watching a movie of themselves rather than living it.
What it isn’t
It is not the same as dissociation in general (which includes detachment from surroundings too), nor is it a sign of psychosis or losing touch with reality—people experiencing it typically retain awareness that something feels 'off' about their perception.
Commonly misused online
Social media often conflates it with daydreaming or 'zoning out,' or uses it casually to mean 'feeling disconnected from society'—but clinical depersonalization is a specific dissociative symptom involving detachment from one's own body or mind.