What Is Dissociative Fugue?

TL;DR: Dissociative fugue is a rare subtype of dissociative amnesia where a person suddenly travels or wanders away, forgetting their identity or past. It's often triggered by extreme stress or trauma. In one of our Instagram reel , we visualise this with a scene from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt—where Kimmy unknowingly gets on a rollercoaster and only “snaps out of it” when the ride ends.

Imagine waking up in a completely different place than where you were… with no memory of how you got there. You might have packed a bag, spoken to people, or even carried out complex tasks—yet have no awareness or recollection of doing any of it.

This is the experience of dissociative fugue, a rare but powerful form of dissociation that can be deeply confusing and distressing for those who experience it.

What Is Dissociative Fugue? Dissociative fugue involves sudden, unexpected travel away from home or one's usual surroundings, often accompanied by an inability to recall one’s past or identity. It can last for hours, days, or even longer in rare cases. Unlike ordinary dissociation or zoning out, fugue includes actual physical movement and a temporary loss of core personal identity.

During a fugue episode, the person:

• May not realise anything is wrong.
• Might take on a new identity or role.
• Is unaware they are dissociating.
• Often appears to be functioning normally to others. When the fugue ends, they may suddenly "wake up" feeling disoriented or alarmed by their surroundings.

A Pop Culture Example: Kimmy and the Rollercoaster

In our recent Instagram reel, we used a lighthearted moment from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt to illustrate fugue-like behaviour. In the scene, Kimmy finds herself on a rollercoaster with no memory of how or why she got on. Her awareness only returns once the ride is over a moment that mimics the sudden return of memory often seen after a fugue episode.

Of course, fugue in real life is more serious and usually stems from overwhelming trauma or emotional distress. But this scene is a creative way to show how dissociative experiences can feel automatic, blurry, and surprising.

🎥 Watch the reel here: Reel

What Triggers Fugue States?

Dissociative fugue is often a reaction to extreme emotional stress, trauma, or unresolved inner conflict. It's more likely to occur in people who already have a history of dissociation, PTSD, or significant childhood trauma.

Common triggers include:

• Sudden loss or grief
• Escaping an abusive environment
• Surviving a traumatic event
• High levels of psychological conflict

How Is It Treated?

Treatment for dissociative fugue focuses on safety, grounding, and uncovering the underlying trauma. This can include:

• Trauma-informed psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioural techniques
• Grounding exercises to improve awareness and presence
• Developing a safe support system Therapy can help individuals make sense of their experience, reduce anxiety, and eventually reintegrate fragmented aspects of memory and identity.

Conclusion

Dissociative fugue is a powerful example of how the mind protects itself during extreme stress but it can be deeply disorienting and difficult to manage. Understanding it, talking about it, and creating visual representations can help reduce the stigma and increase awareness.

🌱 To explore more on dissociation, follow us on Instagram @groundmeapp. 🧠 Want to help shape better tools for people who experience dissociation? Become a test user for our upcoming app by signing up through our Linktree.