This is called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Most of the time, people are still aware of their surroundings during these flashbacks, which is actually similar to many different types of visual hallucinations. During an HPPD episode, colors may appear brighter, objects may appear an unusual size, or there may be halos of light around different objects.
Causes and risk factors
How HPPD affects you long-term can depend on the type you have. HPPD type 1 is usually short-lived and causes very little distress. It can be harder to get symptoms to go away for type 2, and it may mean you need to treat it for the rest of your life.
- Nonetheless, there is a lot of variation in estimates of the prevalence of perceptual changes and HPPD.
- Thirdly, 2018 research by John H. Halpern and Torsten Passie suggests that one’s risk of HPPD is increased if the psychedelic experience was challenging.
- However, visual disturbances defined as HPPD also occur in people who have never used psychedelics or other drugs, especially those with anxiety disorders.
- The disorder usually resolves in a few weeks to several months, though more severe cases have reported life-long and greatly impairing symptoms.
The Perception Restoration Foundation
- Most people don’t notice these effects, because they are so used to them.
- It can cause ongoing problems with your vision, and come back again and again.
- There is also a correlation between the number of times a hallucinogenic drug is used and the onset of HPPD.
However, many people with HPPD also experience depersonalization/derealization disorder (DP/DR). Depersonalization refers to the feeling of being detached from your body and thoughts while derealization is the sense that the world is unreal. After a period of intense initial distress, many people with HPPD learn to live with the visuals and return to normal life. If appropriate steps are taken, then visuals tend to reduce by themselves over time. In cases where distress is not reported, an alternative label can be used, such as post-drug perceptual changes (PDPCs) or post-psychedelic perceptual changes (PPPCs).
- CBT helps patients identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
- However, many patients find their symptoms can be effectively managed through a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
- HPPD is diagnosed using one or more assessment tools and may be treated with prescription medications.
- HPPD symptoms occur almost entirely outside of clinical settings.
How To Deal With HPPD Symptoms
This means that a person with HPPD just has visual disturbances, such as seeing blurry patterns, size distortion, and bright circles. For example, someone with HPPD may see colors more intensely or notice halos of different-colored light around objects. Objects might also appear either too big (macropsia) Oxford House or too small (micropsia).
Narcolepsy-cataplexy syndrome, a rare type of sleep disorder that can cause hallucinations just before you fall asleep or when you wake up. As hppd symptoms researchers come to understand more about the condition, a more extensive range of treatments may become available. A doctor can help provide advice on managing HPPD symptoms and may prescribe a course of drug therapy to help. Trying mindfulness, yoga, or meditation may help to reduce stress and anxiety.
