Depersonalization in the Face of Life-Threatening Danger: An Interpretation

@article{Noyes1976DepersonalizationIT,
  title={Depersonalization in the Face of Life-Threatening Danger: An Interpretation},
  author={Russell Noyes and Roy Kletti},
  journal={OMEGA — Journal of Death and Dying},
  year={1976},
  volume={7},
  pages={103 - 114}
}
  • R. Noyes, R. Kletti
  • Published 1 July 1976
  • Psychology
  • OMEGA — Journal of Death and Dying
Depersonalization is a frequent reaction to life-threatening danger. As an adaptive pattern of the nervous system it alerts the organism to its threatening environment while holding potentially disorganizing emotion in check. As a psychological mechanism it defends the endangered personality against the threat of death and, at the same time, initiates an integration of that reality. And, as a meaningful experience, a mystical elaboration of the phenomenon may achieve spiritual significance… 
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