Based on 2 years experience with HPPD, Visual Snow, and Depersonalization Disorder.
References: HPPD - Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder
VS - Visual Snow
DP/DR- Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
There are numerous things that will trigger more vivid HPPD, VS,and DP/DR in a daily lifestyle. The best thing you can do to help aid the process of trying to recover from this disorder is to detox your bodily system as soon as possible. This can be a very difficult task, but excessing in certain things can actually make symptoms prolong and get worse! Here is a current list of things to avoid to help recover from these disorders.
Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, and Sleep Deprivation are key features to avoid, along with refraining from any and all drugs, especially psychedelics and hallucinogens. Continuing use of drugs may severely worsen your symptoms even more permanently.
Things To Avoid:
Obsessing about your symptoms (by looking at blank walls for example)
Fatigue
Alcohol, Cannabis, Psychedelics, or other drugs
Sudden entry into dark or light environments
Stress - Important
Anxiety - Important
Some SSRI antidepressants and other psychiatric medications (such as Risperidone)
Most mind altering medications in general may trigger worsening symptoms.
Caffeine, high levels of sugar intake (including energy drinks, soda, coffee etc.)
Check nutrition labels on drinks before consuming. If they contain rather high levels of sugar or caffeine, that would be a sign to avoid consuming.
NOTE: It is advised to contact a specialist that has experience with HPPD, VS, or DP/DR. I do have a contact list available but will not list them here due to privacy reasons. If you wish for specialist contact information, please fill out the contact form on the right side of the page, or email me directly at: hppdresearchblog@gmail.com, and I will get back with you in a short amount of time. I also am willing to answer any questions you may have regarding these disorders, or your own symptoms that you are experiencing.
Things To Help Improve:
Maintain a sleep schedule of at least 8 hours
Valerian Root can help to aid HPPD (it is a sedative so it is best to take before bed)
Exercise regularly
Drink plenty of water throughout the day and before bed. Hydration is very important to maintain a healthy brain. Do not consume just any drink. I am speaking specifically to purified quality water.
Avoid junk foods if possible and stick to an organic healthy diet. This may seem very difficult and even expensive, but if you cannot stick to organic, at the least, have a well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Keep nerves calm (Potassium can help this)
Maintain a positive mind-set
Learn Meditation
LET YOUR BRAIN PHYSICALLY HEAL!
The first step to guiding you through Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder, Visual Snow, and Depersonalization Disorder is ACCEPTANCE. This may sound very difficult at first but it is inevitably something that you must confront yourself with. You need to know that you are not mentally ill or psychotic, or have schizophrenia.
[UPDATING...]
Glasses:
Shaded Glasses are a practical use for those with Visual Snow/HPPD. Tint from the lenses can help to block out some of the hallucinatory effects, especially the visual static and darting eye floaters. I have found the best practical lenses are those with a light brown tint.
You may also want to get your eyesight tested as well. You may need glasses/contacts, as HPPD and VS symptoms sometimes tend to leave blurry vision.
Side Notes:
Anxiety is a key feature to HPPD and Depersonalization. The more obsessed and aware you are, the worse it gets. Keep yourself occupied with hobbies. Again, DO NOT FOCUS ON IT. The symptoms will be there but if you are sitting down just staring into blank space to see if you can notice your symptoms, you will, and this should be avoided. The less you pay attention the less you will notice. It may take a long time to adjust, but it is not an impossible thing to do. Fight back against it. Accept that it will be there and learn to rule over it, and control your positive thinking.
Take it from me, if you do not focus on the anxiety of the visual disturbances, you eventually get along with it. This will not be the same outcome for everyone but it is based on how positive you view the situation. Remember that you are NOT crazy, or Schizophrenic.
Do we even need to call any of this a disorder? How about Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Awareness? Disorder is such a strong word to use for something such as this.
[LIST TO BE UPDATED]
Thank you for this
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