SomebodySomewhere

Yeah but that's also true of r/HPPD and they're far more active then we are.

Especially after the article in The Independent, I don't understand why so few people use this forum, I was expecting an influx of new people joining. I know I must seem obsessed with it, but I realize the reddit sub-forum r/HPPD is very active, but considering what bad/inaccurate advice they give, I feel like it would be worth it to flood them with posts explaining how they don't know what they're talking about, and to come here for accurate info. Obviously any account that does this will be banned, but it's worth it if even a few people see it before the post is deleted, and it's easy to keep signing back up under new free email addresses on Google or whatever and just essentially spam them with this stuff. People with this condition need to be able to get accurate information.

No problem. Anymore questions feel free to ask.

Drinking won't make your HPPD symptoms worse (at least it doesn't for most), but it can be a really easy way to become an alcoholic because it actually tends to reduce symptoms for a short while (because it works on GABA, like Clonazepam does). The only risk besides that is if you were prescribed clonazepam and drank on top of that, that can be dangerous, but it sounds like you have a really good attitude about your symptoms so you might not start taking that anyway. The only other thing I can think of in terms of drinking is that hangovers can temporarily make symptoms worse, so just be aware of that as well.

Hi and welcome, The first thing I wanted to touch on is how you mentioned maybe smoking weed again, let me be clear: you can't use drugs anymore, not even weed. Weed can permanently make your symptoms worse, don't do it. In my own personal experience, HPPD doesn't get worse on it's own, the symptoms you have are the symptoms you have, again, unless you make a bad decision like using weed or any psychedelics ever again. There are medications that can help, I'm not going to push any, I'd suggest thoroughly reading the Medication sub-forum and deciding what sounds best for you if you wish to go that route.

Now, after all these years of being symptom free, I'm experiencing HPPD symptoms again (though I'm thankful it's nowhere near as bad, but that's because I'm on clonazepam). I feel, and my prescriber feels that the return of my symptoms is due to Lexapro, so I'm currently tapering off of it entirely. Anyway, onto computer monitors. I tend to spend a LOT of time on my PC. In the past I would notice it could aggravate symptoms, and sure enough it's happening again. I feel like I'm having to spend less time watching movies and playing games as sometimes it makes it worse. Has anyone found any solutions that work for them for minimizing HPPD symptoms due to using their computer monitor? Anything that you've found helpful in your own experience I'd be happy to hear. I own a high refresh-rate monitor, 144hz, which I feel is a big no-no with HPPD, but luckily I can turn the refresh rate back down to the normal 60hz if I want, and anything in-between. I just wanted to mention that, because if you're considering a high-refresh rate monitor for gaming or whatever, personally I'd advise against it. Another strange thing I've noticed, is that ever since I properly color-calibrated my monitor, that has also made symptoms a bit worse, though I can't figure out why that would be. Damned if you do damned if you don't.

Yes, I did fully read and take in the article. I also agree with what you're saying. Perhaps you didn't read my post carefully or maybe I didn't word it well. *Editing myself as I re-read my own post* My post made zero sense. I don't know what I was talking about/referring to. Sorry for the confusion. *2nd edit* I see now: I was referring to this: ""HPPD" is not a trip that does not end (that's a psychosis).", and I was refuting that. It wasn't addressed to you Jay1. *3rd edit* I'm a moron: you weren't even addressing me xD I need some sleep. Ignore my entire post, lol.

Agreed, off of my clonazepam, that's the perfect description: a trip that doesn't end. Although I don't consider that psychosis, as psychosis involves delusional thinking or being unable to determine if visual phenemonen are real or not, I don't doubt that some HPPD sufferers also have psychosis (especially since it's obvious that psychosis is a separate risk all of it's own of both hallucinogen and cannabis use). I really don't see anything wrong with the article. In fact I shared it with both my parents, who previously had difficulty understanding HPPD, and they apologized profusely to me for not understanding it better before. They feel like now they do understand after reading that article. This journalist deserves praise.

Hi Ben, I've had HPPD since 2007, if you need some advice, support, or just someone to vent to, feel free to message me. I've also met someone IRL that had HPPD and told me about it. He was the guy doing an IQ test/cognitive functioning test on me, and when he read in my chart that I had HPPD he said he did too, from LSD, and that for him it lasted 10 years and then faded away.

Thank you for writing this article. I feel like you covered everything fairly and properly, and more importantly, perhaps the big pro-psychedelic community will be willing to admit that yes it is a risk. Unfortunately I feel many in the drug community are unwilling to accept the reality of it, or will blame it on pre-exisiting mental disorders (something I'd like to say about that: look how common anxiety and depression is, I'd say MOST people already have a mental illness, so the argument is useless). I do have a question about your article though. You mention " Some even report seeing animate beings". As I was telling others here, I haven't done HPPD research in many years, but I have to say that sounds less like HPPD and more like low-level psychosis. Usually HPPD distorts what's already there, at least in my experience. Anyway, thank you so much for this.

Okay. Yeah I must have joined the forum back in 2007 which is why I was asking, and that's when I did the majority of my posting. But yeah, I'm not into fidget spinners, so it wasn't me. I definitely do remember you from back then though.

Not that I can remember. From what I remember, hppdonline is sorta new and it used to be hppdforum, right? I know I had a lot of posts under an account of the same name. I can't remember what avatars I used if any. Do you remember what the 3d graphic looked like?

Interesting responses. I'll need to do more research, as it's been years since I've done any. I wish I understood why some of my HPPD symptoms are coming back, I remember coming here around 2012 announcing that I no longer have it. I guess the clonazepam was just really effective at covering up the symptoms, but it's still there As for reddit, I have a number of issues with that site anyway at this point, so I simply deleted my account there. Nothing specific to r/HPPD, just reddit in general seems to have lots of over-opinionated trolls.

Were you on any other medications at the time of the Tramadol? Tramadol is a strange drug in that in some people it has little if no effect (I'm talking general population right now, not HPPD sufferers), and in other people the euphoria can be on par with Oxy, as well as having big effects on Serotonin, and Neuroepinephrine. I was a Tramadol addict for over a year, and it was the later for me: lots of euphoria, and strong SNRI properties, which is why I didn't take an SSRI I was prescribed while taking it. The reason I'm bringing this up, is due to the fact that in some it exhibits SNRI properties, it can definitely affect other medicines you're taking, especially antidepressants, which can even result in Serotonin Syndrome. Although I never had visual phenomenon from it I'm not surprised that you did.

I've been posting a bit on r/HPPD after discovering it, now that I've had some of my visual symptoms and DP/DR returning (I think it's just due to stress and isolation, but it's the first time I've had symptoms in years: I've been on clonazepam this whole time). Anyway, in the sidebar it reads, in-part: " HPPD, HIPPD, or Hallucinogen (Induced) Persisting Perception Disorder is a purely neurological visual processing disorder caused from drug abuse by various substances like Marijuana, LSD, MDMA, Amphetamine, as well as various SSRI's, Dextromethorphan and Diphenhydramine." During the time I was a member at this forum, I don't remember anyone saying they got HPPD from Amphetamine, and definitely not SSRI's. Is this accurate information that I'm not aware of? I tried asking this question on there and a moderator deleted my post without explanation. Another thing they mention in their rules: " When recommending a drug whether it is a legal OTC (over the counter) or prescription drug- it must relate to HPPD and be beneficial with numerous user reports or documented scientific studies. Benzodiazepines will no longer be allowed for discussion due to the risk of increasing symptoms upon discontinuation, do not recommend them here." The part about benzos possibly increasing symptoms when discontinued is also something I haven't heard of before. I'm wondering if what they are saying is valid, since they provide no evidence to back up what they're saying. I worry that they might have created an outlet for Hypochondriacs with other disorders to think they have HPPD when they don't.

*Snip* The guy I mentioned is becoming a real jerk and is unlikely to be of help unfortunately. I'm expecting he'll be cutting off my Klonopin soon.

I'm referring to the amino acid. It seems to me that if Clonazepam/Klonopin works to reduce symptoms of HPPD, since GABA basically works the same way, maybe that would help. I'm curious if anybody has tried this? I'm already on Clonazepam and I've been symptom-free for a long time (I'm afraid to go off it though), but I just thought this might be a good idea, especially since the patient wouldn't have to worry about benzo addiction.

I recieved my HPPD and DP/DR from a RC called 4-AcO-DMT.

It is a symptom of it but I haven't been on antipsychotics for very long (maybe 4 months), and I had the emotional numbing before that too.

This is the one thing that has not gotten better since recovering from HPPD and DP/DR. It's very hard to show any emotion and people do notice. I just don't feel anything.

WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY!? I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111 Just kidding. I take them of my own free will. I guess I'm just angry at life. I've had so many setbacks that I blame everyone around me for it when really I just need to chill out. The Risperdal helps me do that.

In reading the results of the poll and the replies, no, I don't want to risk it. Tis a shame because I've been having some massive weed cravings for some reason. In terms of anti-psychotics, I'm prescribed them to control my anger. As for drinking, it does what it's supposed to? I get no visuals or dp/dr from it.

I'm just curious, for those of you who've smoked weed after getting HPPD or DP/DR what kind of effect has it had on you? I've been two years without HPPD and I'm considering trying weed again but I have a part of me telling me it's probably a bad idea and the HPPD and DP/DR could come back. However since my HPPD and DP/DR dissappeared I've been able to use SSRI's and anti-psychotics without any flareup or return of symptoms, whereas before both classes of drug were out of the question. Just curious.

I guess I never really considered snow an HPPD symptom but I guess it is. I still have that but it doesn't bother me.

@rollingregret: Thanks for the heads up but I'm well aware of benzo withdrawls and the different taper methods. I used to come here and say that the Ashton Protocol was the only way of doing it. However for me personally I can do about 0.5mg every two weeks with only mild withdrawls. I've done this many times. @cs1234: I had tramadol withdrawls while still having DP/DR. It made me depersonalized as hell. That combined with the opiate and neuropeniphrine caused withdrawls was very unpleasant to put it mildly. Think Trainspotting but with lots of crying and the inability to even leave the house (I was using huge amounts and went cold-turkey). For me the worst of it lasted about three days.