Deal With HPPD

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), is a neuropsychological disorder that can occur after taking hallucinogenic drugs. A large percentage of HPPD sufferers developed the condition after a "bad trip", but some report symptoms after entirely positive experiences. A large percentage of those who develop HPPD seem to develop it after their first experimentations with hallucinogens, but some experienced drug-users have also reported it. It manifests as any of a wide range of visual distortions, which may rise and fall in intensity, or may remain constant. It usually declines over time and in many cases disappears completely. It should be considered distinct from the phenomenon of "flashbacks" which are intermittent and short-lived.

It is often accompanied by depersonalisation/derealisation disorder, a terrifying condition in which nothing seems real and one appears to be floating about in a dream. The root of this effect is anxiety or fear, and you can eliminate it by eliminating anxiety.

Little is known medically about HPPD, and there is no permanent cure, but it is completely manageable by following a few guidelines. Luckily for us, the brain is capable of great healing and rerouting, and the human mind of great adaptation.

Steps

 * 1) See a doctor immediately. If your doctor tells you he hasn't a clue, see another one. Some medications you might want to discuss with your doctor are:
 * 2) * Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax or Clonazepam can help to temporarily alleviate symptoms. Do not allow your doctor to prescribe you risperidone (Risperdal) as there are studies to show it makes HPPD worse. There is no cure for HPPD apart from general good living, but benzodiazepines are known to reduce the visual symptoms as well as attack the anxiety that accompanies and worsens HPPD.
 * 3) * Anti-depressants, such as Prozac to help deal with the psychological effects. The psychological effects are what matters, not the visuals themselves - the visual symptoms cannot hurt you.
 * 4) Don't panic. This is not the end of the world. It may feel pretty bad, but you can't die from this, and the real world is still going on as it always was. Remember that if you feel the world is slipping away and have strange thoughts about reality and existence, that it is called depersonalisation and is a symptom of what is happening in your brain. What you are thinking is not Insanity, but it is not Truth.
 * 5) If you take any illegal unprescribed drugs, stop and stop now. This applies especially to visually active drugs like LSD, cannabis and the tryptamine (e.g. Magic Mushrooms) and phenethylamine (MDMA, mescaline) classes of drugs (better known as psychedelics). If you are serious about ever seeing things the way you used to, refrain from all substances. You should also avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco until you have figured out what makes it worse and what doesn't.
 * 6) Get proper sleep - not too much or too little. Either will worsen your vision when you wake up.
 * 7) Meditate and exercise your brain. Since HPPD is a neurological phenomenon that distorts what you really are seeing - reading, writing, meditating, and anything that "exercises" your brain will help it to heal.
 * 8) Take walks in nature (avoid them at night, seeing as to how in the dark HPPD is worse).
 * 9) Eat healthily (vitamins, honey, fruit, salad, etc.).
 * 10) Exercise; you should do anything that will help you feel better as a person. In return your brain will be healing.
 * 11) Stop thinking about it. The more you worry and think about your HPPD, the worse you'll feel about it, and the worse it will become. The symptoms tend to increase when you over think the condition, so try and avoid any thought of it. Instead, focus on something more positive.

Tips

 * Don't spend all your time reading about HPPD on the internet. A lot fewer people post success stories than moan about it all the time, since once they are done with HPPD, they don't care about it anymore. Instead, go out and do something fun as soon as you are able. You deserve it.
 * Light levels may have a big impact on your visuals, and after a while, some people experience visuals only at night or under artificial light. In general, flourescent light is the worst, and natural sunlight is the best, but overstimulation of the visual system may be personally a problem, in which case wearing sunglasses can sometimes help, and also makes you look cool.
 * You can try psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioural therapy with a non-judgemental counsellor if you are finding things difficult, especially if you are also trying to cope with an addiction.
 * It might require some big lifestyle changes to adapt to HPPD, but that has a positive side too.
 * Be prepared for some negative reactions to your condition from other people, especially people opposed to drug use who will show little sympathy. Even many drug users believe HPPD does not exist and may try to lecture you about how it is all in your imagination. A trusted friend can go a long way, however.

Warnings

 * Smoking marijuana will cause you to trip out like crazy if you are in a bad attitude or worry about something but It's generally not a good idea to do this. The visuals get intense when you're high.
 * If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, immediately get in touch with a professional.

Things You'll Need

 * The unwavering belief that this condition can be managed.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Act Sober
 * How to Get Sober with a 12 Step Program
 * How to Be Drug Free
 * How to Beat Drug Addiction
 * How to Get Rid of Drug Dealers in Your Neighborhood