Empirical research on déjà vu experiences: a review

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Sno, H.N.^; | Schalken, H.F.A. | de Jonghe, F.

Affiliations: University Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Note: [] Correspondence to: H.N. Sno, Academic Medical Center, Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract: A déjà vu experience is a dissociative phenomenon, which can be characterized as a subjectively inappropriate impression of familiarity of the present with an undefined past. This paper reviews empirical studies on déjà vu experiences and summarizes the most salient findings. Overall, the findings appear to be inconsistent and inconclusive. The authors conclude that the available empirical research is of limited significance due to various methodological and conceptual issues. In order to evaluate the clinical psychiatric relevance of déjà vu experiences, further research which also addresses its qualitative features is warranted.

Keywords: Clinical Psychiatry, Déjà vu experiences, Dissociative phenomena, Empirical Research

DOI: 10.3233/BEN-1992-5303

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 155-160, 1992