Fugue state

A fugue state (dissociative fugue or psychogenic fugue)Dissociative Fugue (formerly Psychogenic Fugue) ( DSM-IV 300.13, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition ) is a rare psychiatric disorder. It involves temporary loss of memory (amnesia). It usually only lasts a short time (from hours to days), but can last months or longer. In a fugue state, the person not only forgets all about who they are, but may suddenly adopt a new identity. They may leave home and wander, settle in another area with a new name. Fugue occurs to avoid stress and anxiety. After the fugue state comes to an end, the person recovers the memories they lost, but usually forgets all that happened during the fugue.

References

Other websites
"Dissociative Fugue " from the Mental Health Matters website.
"Dissociative Fugue" from the Merck & Co. website.

Category:Mental illnesses
Category:Psychiatry