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Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

binghamton.edu

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Re: Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

#71

Post by Izkata »

a9h74j wrote: post #59
swagasaurus-rex wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've always had visual glows when I close my eyes. Not eye floaters, I only see those when my eyes are open. When I close my eye, I usually see an outline of bright/dark somewhat matching what I last saw, but desaturated and splotchy. If I keep my eyes close, the patches kinda drift around. It's kinda fun to watch sometimes but I get bored eventually open my eyes. I've always assumed its my eyes just adjusting to the…

I always remember the term 'eidetic' and always think I am misremembering the correct term, but it is "eidetic imagery" I am searching for. To me this refers to the phenomenon of seeing above-threshold-of-perception patterns or motions, such as lava-like swirling. As you say, such things can be interesting for a time. This following link discusses the phenomenon in terms of phosphenes: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/…

> with gurus allegedly claiming that they enable these unexpected experiences for their disciples

I can voluntarily cause a burst of those color patterns by, after closing my eyes, relaxing all my facial muscles and letting my eyes go unfocused. Works best when trying to fall asleep, so I can imagine people unintentionally doing the same during, say, meditation and correlating it with their spiritual leader.

Re: Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

#72

Post by a9h74j »

Izkata wrote: post #71
a9h74j wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always remember the term 'eidetic' and always think I am misremembering the correct term, but it is "eidetic imagery" I am searching for. To me this refers to the phenomenon of seeing above-threshold-of-perception patterns or motions, such as lava-like swirling. As you say, such things can be interesting for a time. This following link discusses the phenomenon in terms of phosphenes: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/…

> with gurus allegedly claiming that they enable these unexpected experiences for their disciples I can voluntarily cause a burst of those color patterns by, after closing my eyes, relaxing all my facial muscles and letting my eyes go unfocused. Works best when trying to fall asleep, so I can imagine people unintentionally doing the same during, say, meditation and correlating it with their spiritual leader.

A sort of natural prior is that when you close your eyes, it must be black, right? But it is not, as you observe.

A sociologist who studied the spiritual cultures concluded there were many conformity-related behaviors at work. Oh, yea, I had the experience.

Re: Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

#73

Post by euthymiclabs »

handol wrote: post #20
GavinMcG wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Psychosis and psychopathy are distinct, for what it's worth.

The article seems to treat psychosis, psychotic symptoms, and Schizophrenia as though they all refer to the same thing.

Which is how people think clinically. Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are the most common forms of lasting psychosis. Psychopathy isn't related.

Re: Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

#74

Post by meowface »

throwuxiytayq wrote: post #44
anyfoo wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you elaborate a bit? I don't remember hallucinating when growing up[1], so I'm interested what this would look like. I don't doubt that it may still be common without everyone experiencing it. [1] Or ever, really, unless fever dreams when being really sick count. Though, without any reference point to compare to, they really seemed more like intense dreams.

I consider myself to be a very mentally-stable person, but I have encountered occasional hallucination-like experiences. They're very brief, and my brain seems to correct itself retroactively , which makes them somewhat difficult to notice. For example, a soft noise could be vividly interpreted as someone calling my name, but when it becomes apparent that this didn't happen, my brain files the experience as "probably…

Yes, these are quite common. I believe persistent, full-on visual hallucinations tend to be rare among the general population, assuming you're sober and not sleep deprived or in a half-asleep state or in the process of waking up.

Re: Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

#75

Post by meowface »

anyfoo wrote: post #38
colechristensen wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They seem to be lumping things together pretty widely which is a disservice to people like you. A bit of hallucinating here and there is quite common especially as you age and isn't a big deal (though if it happens suddenly go see a doctor, it can be a symptom of something happening), being unable to determine what is and is not real can be quite a problem.

Can you elaborate a bit? I don't remember hallucinating when growing up[1], so I'm interested what this would look like. I don't doubt that it may still be common without everyone experiencing it. [1] Or ever, really, unless fever dreams when being really sick count. Though, without any reference point to compare to, they really seemed more like intense dreams.

The parent poster mentioned having taken LSD and later experiencing HPPD (hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder). Visual disturbances and distortions are often associated with both. In rare cases it can last for months or years, if the HPPD is severe.

Re: Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

#76

Post by ma2rten »

nextaccountic wrote: post #53
handol wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article seems to treat psychosis, psychotic symptoms, and Schizophrenia as though they all refer to the same thing.

Psychopathy isn't a medical diagnosis but it generally refers to antisocial personality disorder, which doesn't include psychosis in its diagnosis criteria.

I think it's a common misconception that Psychopathy refers to antisocial personality disorder. It's a related but distinct concept.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy_Checklist

Re: Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

#77

Post by perl4ever »

colordrops wrote: post #5

I have always had these distortions throughout my life. I sometimes feel like high-functioning psychotic. I recall the story of that researcher James Fallon that found out he was a psychopath when he scanned his own brain. Everything feels intellectualized rather than a concrete physical reality.

>Everything feels intellectualized rather than a concrete physical reality

I'm not sure what this means, but you might read

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depersonalization

It is said to be a common phenomenon that most people experience at one time or another, and can be associated with a great many conditions or events, from head injuries, to schizophrenia, to drug use.

Re: Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

#78

Post by maxerickson »

heavyset_go wrote: post #24
colordrops wrote: post #5

I have always had these distortions throughout my life. I sometimes feel like high-functioning psychotic. I recall the story of that researcher James Fallon that found out he was a psychopath when he scanned his own brain. Everything feels intellectualized rather than a concrete physical reality.

One feature of psychosis and mental illness, in general, is a lack of insight into one's own condition, or the lack of a complete picture into how symptoms impact one's thoughts and behaviors. In psychosis, this very pronounced because many of those who experience psychosis don't know they're experiencing delusions or hallucinations. It's all very real to them. The fact that you have an awareness of your distortions…

My understanding is that the clinical definition of a delusion is a concrete, false belief. There's no insight, by definition.

People can have hallucinations that aren't delusions (in that they recognize them for what they are).

Re: Perceptual distortions in late-teens predict psychotic symptoms in mid-life

#79

Post by colordrops »

perl4ever wrote: post #77
colordrops wrote: post #5

I have always had these distortions throughout my life. I sometimes feel like high-functioning psychotic. I recall the story of that researcher James Fallon that found out he was a psychopath when he scanned his own brain. Everything feels intellectualized rather than a concrete physical reality.

>Everything feels intellectualized rather than a concrete physical reality I'm not sure what this means, but you might read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depersonalization It is said to be a common phenomenon that most people experience at one time or another, and can be associated with a great many conditions or events, from head injuries, to schizophrenia, to drug use.

Yeah that might be it. What I mean is that I don't feel like I'm actually here - everything feels flat and dream like, rather than in the moment planted in a physical space. I thought this was normal though, aren't most people constantly in that state due to worry about the future or obsessing over the past? And that's the point of meditation, I think... To bring yourself into the here and now. I do some regular meditation and get glimpses of feeling more awake and present, but nothing persistent so far.
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