Nathan Dunne on identity and depersonalisation

Journalist Nathan Dunne was living the life of his dreams in London until he jumped into a lake for a swim. When he emerged, his identity was simply gone. He knew who he was supposed to be but had no connection to the person named Nathan. This was the beginning of his experience with depersonalisation, a little-understood and on-the-rise mystery mental illness that causes a person to dissociate from their body and thoughts. 

It's estimated that more than 75 million people suffer from depersonalisation. High-profile sufferers include musician Kid Laroi, SNL's Bowen Yang, and Counting Crow's Adam Duritz. It can be chronic and severe or symptoms can also be more every day and relatable: feeling overwhelmed, withdrawing from family and friends, negative thoughts, unable to concentrate or perform routine tasks, or feeling outside of yourself. 

When Nothing Feels Real is Nathan's quest to find his way through his illness, the years of misdiagnosis and his long search for an answer and a cure. He weaves in neuroscience, patient experiences and interviews with leading doctors in the field, using himself as a guide to courageously explore the personal, medical, psychological and philosophical issues raised by depersonalisation. 

Nathan's compelling and deeply personal account will shine a light on this growing mental illness, helping other sufferers feel more informed and less alone.