Human Development
Anomalies in experience of the unity of self
Description:
Although also occurring in psychiatric patients, this is quite common amongst 'normal' people as well in conditions of stress when a threat seems intolerable. In extreme danger there may be a walling off of emotion, [dissociation of affect], but various levels of dissociative defences occur in response to the milder threats of everyday life. Typically, everything seems unreal as though it is happening to someone else. Despite physical reactions, such as sweating, the emotional state is one of calm which may impair performance, when a slight state of being 'worked up' might put an edge on it. [Ego-splitting] is another defensive reaction when the individual seems to himself to be physically dissociated from himself and sees and hears himself from outside.Broader:
Anomalies in awareness of one's self Narrower:
Ego-splittingDissociation of affect Related:
StressBreakdown of automatization