Depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPD) is marked by detachment from oneself, one’s body, and the external world. Paradoxically, this detachment also involves dissolution of the boundary between the self and the object, and creating a sense of unity. The present article explores self-identity in DPD through Eastern philosophical perspectives, especially those derived from Buddhist thoughts and ideas held by the Kyoto School scholars. Using the proposition “I am I, because I am not I” as a central theme, we argue that the self is not a fixed entity, but rather is a dynamic process of division and reconstruction. We propose a model in which the everyday self, typically assumed as “I (A = A),” reveals its inherent indeterminacy and a nature of “non-self” (A ≠ not A, and even A = ∞). Such a self undergoes momentary deconstruction, leading to emergence of a renewed identity. Such fluid and discontinuous processes reflect a transformative nature of selfhood, as seen in depersonalization experiences. Rather than viewing DPD solely as a pathological state, we propose that DPD could be viewed as an encounter with a universal layer of consciousness. By moving beyond a rigid framework of identity—shifting from “I am I” to “I am neither anyone in particular nor anyone at all, and in that sense, I am I”— we propose a new perspective on depersonalization that emphasizes its potential as a profound existential experience rather than a mere psychiatric disorder.

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This study clarifies that there are various types of life review phenomena associated with near-death experiences (NDEs) and related occurrences, grounded in first-person narratives from Japanese experiencers. Recent advances in NDE research have expanded the definition of such experiences beyond states of physical near-death. They now include fear-death experiences elicited by acute psychological crises, as well as near-death-like experiences that occur without any actual threat to life. Although these phenomena may appear superficially similar, qualitative analysis reveals that life reviews reported during deepening NDEs possess distinct phenomenological characteristics that are not found in fear-death scenarios. The study presents explanatory frameworks for each type of experience and concludes that the expansion of conscious awareness during life review may correspond to post-mortem transitional processes. This perspective supports a nonreductive framework for understanding consciousness at the threshold of death and invites further interdisciplinary exploration into the nature of mind and experience.

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