What is The Outside the Box Project?

Mental health disorders often result in altering the way that we think and it is typical for society to view these ways of thinking as abnormal. The Outside the Box Project aims to help us all gain a better understanding of our mental health and recognize that mental health disorders and the ways of thinking they bring about are normal human experiences, but Outside the Box we traditionally put ourselves in. We are in the midst of a mental health epidemic as rates of depression, anxiety, suicide and other mental health disorders are rising. One of our missions is to challenge our traditional ways of thinking about what it means to take care of ourselves. The Project addresses evidence-based ways of bettering our mental health Outside the Box of traditional methods.

The current focus of The Outside the Box Project is to raise awareness about Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder and related Dissociative Disorders, increasing understanding and acceptance of those with DPDR and Dissociative Disorders, and advancing research into the field of DPDR Disorder and related conditions.

Our Mission

Those who suffer from Depersonalization/Derealization (DPDR) and other Dissociative Disorders will often go years without a diagnosis. They are often misdiagnosed as anxiety, depression, or other personality disorders, despite distinct differences compared to other conditions and diagnostic tools, such as the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES).

The Outside the Box Project is dedicated to promoting awareness of DPDR Disorder among society and the medical community, increasing understanding and acceptance of people with DPDR Disorder, and advancing research into the field of DPDR Disorder and related conditions.

To accomplish this, Outside the Box will pursue strategies that make significant progress toward the following outcomes:

  • A better understanding of the causes and typology of DPDR Disorder
  • Decrease the length of time required for an accurate diagnosis of DPDR through public awareness and more DSM-V acknowledged mental health symptoms on patient intake forms
  • The availability of better treatments both for underlying pathology as well as co-existing conditions that decrease quality of life for those with DPDR Disorder
  • People with DPDR and their families have a greater understanding of cognitive and emotional ramifications of the disorder