- Hallucinogen Persistent Perception Disorder
- Interviews
zanderva's interview
How did all start?
On my second and last time of using LSD, I dosed what I thought to be 275 micrograms. After a 32 hour bad trip, I woke up with visual snow, and a sensitivity to light.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
I don’t have a diagnosis. I’m not sure if getting diagnosed will ensure doctors flag me as a drug user or not. However, given my visual snow and sensitivity to light the day after my LSD trip, I am certain it is HPPD
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
N/A
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
To cope I’ve found not focusing on it is the only mechanism. I’m able to tune out the disturbances pretty well, and my symptoms are quite mild compared to others with HPPD, so I’m quite lucky.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Reading on paper. That said, my HPPD isn’t terrible, as my visual snow isn’t too overwhelming unless I’m extremely sleep deprived and have just taken melatonin.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Nobody knows about it.
What things have you stopped doing?
Doing LSD. I’ve barely done weed, so I’ve just ensured I don’t have it any more.
What do you think about the future?
My VS will hopefully clear up within a year or two.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The last couple years probably. Went to university.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Nothing different.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
A struggle that will resolve.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
If your HPPD is mild like mine, just stay away from any psychoactive substances. We’re lucky as is, don’t make it any worse by going any deeper
