What describes persistent, recurrent feelings of detachment from the body or body parts?

The concept of persistent, recurrent feelings of detachment from the body or body parts is best captured by the term depersonalization. Depersonalization is a dissociative symptom that involves a sense of disconnection or estrangement from oneself. Individuals experiencing depersonalization may feel as though they are observing their thoughts, feelings, or experiences from the outside, as if they were an outside observer of their own life.

This phenomenon can occur in various contexts, such as in response to intense stress or trauma, and may manifest as an unsettling experience where individuals feel as if they are not in control of their own body or actions. It is important to recognize that depersonalization can be a standalone condition or part of a broader dissociative disorder.

Dissociation, while related, is a more general term that encompasses a range of experiences, including depersonalization but also amnesia and dissociative identity disorder. Repression and intellectualization, on the other hand, are defense mechanisms that involve unconscious processes and cognitive strategies rather than feelings of detachment from one’s body. Thus, depersonalization is the most precise term to describe the specific experience of recurrent feelings of detachment from the body.