I started recording videos for myself when I started experiencing symptoms of depersonalization-derealization disorder (though I suffer more from derealization. .
Symptoms of derealization include:
- Feelings of being alienated from or unfamiliar with your surroundings — for example, like you’re living in a movie or a dream
- Surroundings that appear distorted, blurry, colourless, two-dimensional or artificial, or a heightened awareness and clarity of your surroundings
- Distortions in perception of time, such as recent events feeling like distant past
The symptoms generally occur after experiencing trauma, and taking photos and videos has been a good way to ground myself when experiencing somewhat distressing symptoms.
Another thing that has been important to me is texture, so I think I may try to capture textures that have been useful in helping with my symptoms, as well as the ephemeral imagery.
Abigail Rumbellow - Critical Research Journal 