In severe cases, the individual not only loses his or her memory of past, painful events, or periods of time, but also loses his or her identity. He or she believes that the events that led up tothis memory loss, occurred to another individual, and assumes a new identity. Though he or she functions within societal boundaries, this individual lives only in the present, and has no recollection of the past.

Recoveries, and recovery times, vary from person to person, and either occur instantaneously, or with the assistance of a psychiatric specialist. The amnesiac, fortunate enough to overcome this condition, however, has no memory of the events that transpiredwhen he or she suffered the memory loss.

One must keep in mind that amnesia uncommon, and is not the "normal" reaction to emotional or physical distress. Common reactions to emotional pain, such as fright, stress, hurt, and anger, are dealt with in ways such as bursting into tears, breaking into a cold sweat, or blushing like a new bride.

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