Which term is used to describe the sensation of feeling outside one's body?

The sensation of feeling outside one's body is accurately described by the term depersonalization. This psychological phenomenon involves a sense of detachment or disconnection from one’s self, leading individuals to feel as though they are observing themselves from an external perspective. People experiencing depersonalization may perceive their own thoughts, feelings, or body as unfamiliar or unreal, contributing to the sensation of being outside their body.

In contrast, derealization refers to a feeling of unreality or detachment from one's surroundings, where the environment may feel strange or distorted, but it does not specifically concern a disconnection from the self. Hallucination involves perceiving things that are not present in reality, which can affect any of the senses but does not pertain to the experience of self-awareness. A coma is a state of prolonged unconsciousness, entirely disconnected from conscious experience, rather than an alteration of self-perception. Thus, depersonalization precisely captures the essence of feeling outside one's own body.