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Marked by self-detachment and a subjective sense of unreality, depersonalization disorder is often chronic and disabling; there is no proven pharmacologic treatment. Anecdotal reports suggesting that SSRIs might be effective have prompted their widespread use for this condition, although no controlled trials exist. These researchers randomized 50 patients with depersonalization disorder to receive fluoxetine (dosage range, 10-60 mg/day; mean, 48 mg/day) or placebo for 10 weeks.
The study population had substantial comorbidity: 44% had a mood disorder, 48% had an anxiety disorder, and 54% had a personality disorder. Three fourths of the sample completed the trial. No significant between-group differences appeared in measures of dissociation o…