A fugue state (also known as a 'psychogenic fugue' or
'dissociative fugue') is a term in psychology which describes a
state of mind where a person experiences a dissociative break in
identity and attempts to run away from some perceived threat,
usually something abstract such as the person's identity. People
who enter into a fugue state may disappear, running away to a
completely different geographical region and assuming another
identity. A bewildered facial expression is a common symptom of the
condition that can involve both physical and psychological escape
from a stressful environment.
A fugue state is often triggered by stress. The condition often
follows interpersonal events in which a person is exposed to rage,
threats to their self-esteem and challenges to habitual patterns of
impulse control.