Fugue Amnesia

Fugue amnesia is an extremely rare phenomenon in which a person forgets not only his or her past, but his or her very identity.

The person may wake up and suddenly have no sense of who they are. He or she looks in the mirror and sees a stranger. In the wallet or purse the person may find identification, but the name and birthdate on the driver's liscense seem meaningless.

Usually fugue amnesia heals itself over time. After a while of dissorientation, the person will usually seek assistance and, with therapy, regain his or her identity.