Dissociation: Normal or abnormal?
The Journal of near-death studies 1996 DOI: 10.17514/jnds-1996-14-3-p145-157. (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the concept of dissociation has accumulated multiple, sometimes conflicting meanings across its history, complicating efforts to classify near-death out-of-body experiences as dissociative, pathological, or a normal stress response, and proposes that Chaos Theory and new orientations in physics open further interpretive possibilities. |
Abstract
Recent articles have addressed the question of whether or not the out-of-body experience reported by many people near death is a form of dissociative behavior. If so, is it related to other mental or emotional pathologies or is it a normal protective response to stress? This paper explores the history of dissociation and related terms, uncovering a multiplicity of uses and connotations. New orientations in physics and the rise of the New Science in the form of Chaos Theory allow a plethora of additional interpretations.