APA Dictionary of Psychology

alien abduction

Updated on 04/19/2018
a claim by individuals that they have been kidnapped by extraterrestrial beings. Although this phenomenon is commonly associated with delusional thinking, posttraumatic stress disorder, and acute stress reactions, many of these individuals have no other clear symptoms of mental disorder. There is no conclusive scientific evidence to support the validity of their claims. Also called extraterrestrial kidnapping.
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