Autoscopy
Autoscopy (pronounced: aw-tos-kuh-pee) is a psychological phenomenon in which an individual perceives the surrounding environment from a different perspective, as if they were outside of their own body. It is often associated with derealization or depersonalization, and can be a symptom of various mental and neurological disorders.
Etymology
The term "Autoscopy" comes from the Greek words "auto" (self) and "skopeo" (I look at). It was first used in the medical literature by Henri Ellenberger in 1903.
Description
Autoscopy is a complex phenomenon that can manifest in several forms, including out-of-body experiences, heautoscopy, and the feeling of a presence. The experience can be both fascinating and terrifying for the individual, often leading to feelings of confusion and fear. It is not considered a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of underlying conditions.
Related Terms
- Out-of-body experience: A sensation of floating outside one's body and, in some cases, perceiving one's physical body from a place outside one's body.
- Heautoscopy: A term used to describe a specific type of autoscopic phenomenon where the individual not only sees their own body from an external perspective but also encounters it as a separate entity.
- Derealization: A mental state where the world around you seems unreal. It can be a symptom of several medical and psychiatric conditions.
- Depersonalization: A state of feeling detached or disconnected from oneself, observing one's own actions, feelings, and thoughts from an objective third-person perspective.
See Also
References
- Brugger, P. (2002). Reflective mirrors: perspective-taking in autoscopic phenomena. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, 7(3), 179-194.
- Blanke, O., & Mohr, C. (2005). Out-of-body experience, heautoscopy, and autoscopic hallucination of neurological origin Implications for neurocognitive mechanisms of corporeal awareness and self-consciousness. Brain research reviews, 50(1), 184-199.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Autoscopy
- Wikipedia's article - Autoscopy
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