Anomalous Experiences Questionnaire

The Examination of Anomalous Self-Experience (EASE) and the Examination of Anomalous World Experience (EAWE) are tools developed by researchers and clinicians to explore how people with schizophrenia spectrum conditions sometimes experience themselves and the world in deeply unusual ways. These tools are not checklists for diagnosis, but structured interviews designed to help uncover subtle, often hard-to-describe changes in one’s sense of identity, perception, and understanding of the surrounding world.

The EASE focuses specifically on anomalies in basic self-awareness—how we experience ourselves as subjects of our own lives. These experiences might include feeling disconnected from one’s own thoughts, body, or emotions. The EAWE, on the other hand, investigates how a person perceives the external world: other people, time, language, social situations, and the very atmosphere of reality itself. Both tools were developed based on rich first-person accounts from people who live with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, offering a phenomenological perspective that reaches beyond clinical symptoms.

Inspired by these tools, I’ve reformulated many of the experiences described in EASE and EAWE as simple, clear questions that can be used in a self-report format. These questions are designed for people who may be wondering if their experiences are just unusual—or possibly indicative of something deeper. This quiz is not a test with a score or a verdict. Instead, it's a starting point for reflection. It may help you recognize patterns in your experiences, give you language for things you’ve struggled to explain, or simply let you know that what you’re going through is not unheard of.

Importantly, neither the EASE nor the EAWE is meant to serve as a stand-alone diagnostic instrument. They don’t provide a diagnosis—but they can provide understanding. If you’ve ever felt that something about your perception, your thoughts, or your sense of self doesn’t quite match what others seem to experience—these questions might resonate. They’re here to offer insight, not answers. And most importantly, they’re here to remind you: you are not alone. Many others have experienced things that felt unreal, confusing, or isolating. These experiences can be shared, understood, and worked with—especially with the support of professionals who are trained to listen. If what you read here strikes a chord, it may be worth seeking out someone to talk to. There is no shame in asking questions about your mental health, and taking the step to explore what’s happening in your inner world is already an act of courage.

Quiz: © Unite My Heart 2025