Hallucinogenic persisting perception disorder, or HPPD, can develop as a result of long-term use and abuse of hallucinogenic drugs. HPPD can occur in combination with other mental disorders, such as panic disorder, alcohol use disorder, and depression, according to the DSM-5. Some types of therapy used to treat those conditions may be helpful in managing HPPD symptoms as well. HPPD patients appear to be sensitive to first-generation antipsychotics at low doses, requiring monitoring of extrapyramidal side effects. Haloperidol 69 and Trifluoperazine 70 were reported to be helpful.
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The common term “trip” refers to a drug-induced inner neurological experience in which sensory perception is altered while taking hallucinogenic drugs. In the integration phase, the patient expresses the thoughts, feelings, and questions that have arisen following the dosing session(s). It is important to note that in contrast to classical psychotic disorders, patients with HPPD recognize the unreal nature of their visual disturbances which qualifies them as pseudohallucinations. Certain medications have proven to be highly detrimental when prescribed to certain individuals suffering from HPPD.
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder Treatment
Along with that, lamotrigine is widely known for its neuroprotective effect. It is assumed that lamotrigine’s excitotoxic destruction of inhibitory interneurons may be responsible for at least some of the visual symptoms of HPPD 11. The use of second-generation antipsychotics in HPPD patients without comorbid psychotic disorders is debated.
Pseudo Flashbacks
Throughout the session, the therapist will monitor a client’s physical and emotional state to ensure their well-being, potentially adjusting the course of the session according to the individual’s responses to treatment. Depending on the therapeutic style applied in the treatment, the therapist can take a more or less directive approach to guide the patient through the experience. During the drug application sessions, patients typically lay in a comfortable position surrounded by a soothing environment that is decorated more like a living room than a medical office. The sessions also often make use of eyeshades and specific instrumental music that has been clinically tested and selected to evoke the transformative experiences aimed at in PAT.
Psilocybin
The therapist may additionally ask hppd symptoms about the client’s experiences with psychedelics to gauge the individual’s familiarity and comfort level with altered states of consciousness. Like psilocybin and LSD, MDMA is a highly illegal substance that the US government recognizes as having no medical use and a high potential for addiction. However, MDMA shows remarkable potential as a therapeutic drug for helping those who suffer from PTSD, certain eating disorders, and anxiety experienced as a result of living with life-threatening illnesses or autism. Symptoms related to HPPD can have different possible causes, and therefore it is very crucial to rule out all possible underlying causes before diagnosing.
Conditions
- We present a clinical case report of a patient who qualifies to have met with the diagnosis of HPPD despite having a past psychiatric history by ruling out all possible causes.
- Indeed, anxiety has been implicated in visual perceptual effects similar to HPPD,17 and authors have recognized the crucial role of attending to underlying anxiety and panic in recovering from the disorder.
- Some of the most crucial side effects affect the mind, producing perceptual distortions.
- This wide spectrum of disorders encompasses different subtypes, ranging from HPPD I to HPPD II, according to our hypothetical distinction.
- Avoiding drug use, seeking therapy, staying connected to support systems, and practicing stress-reducing techniques can help manage HPPD symptoms.
- Scientific sources suggest that HPPD may affect more than 50% of hallucinogen users and this disorder is often underdiagnosed.
According to DSM-5, Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder is the recurrence of perceptive disturbances that firstly develop during intoxication. The contents of the perception and visual imagery range extensively 17,19. DSM-5 and previous DSM editions report a list of the most common symptoms experienced by HPPD patients, but only a few symptoms have been described in the professional literature. The main group of symptoms reported by Criterion A of the DSM-5 are visual disturbances. In fact, as in the vast majority of induced psychoses, visual hallucinations are notably more common than auditory 3.
What Is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)?
These elements are meant to encourage the patient to direct their attention inward, facilitating introspection and exploration of thoughts, feelings, and memories that may surface during the experience. Nevertheless, the main objective of PAT, in a general sense, is to have the psychedelic substance and psychotherapy work together to create long-lasting psychological and behavioral changes for the good of the patient. While the application of psychedelic therapies is limited to isolated clinical trials and can be practiced according to radically diverse methods and contexts, some standard phases can broadly characterize the PAT treatment process.
- In fact, as in the vast majority of induced psychoses, visual hallucinations are notably more common than auditory 3.
- When the person with HPPD experiences a flashback, loved ones can help them feel safe and remind them that symptoms are temporary.
- Also called “magic mushrooms,” these psychedelic drugs look just like ordinary mushrooms.
- As a result, it’s important to develop a plan of action to respond when they do.
Additionally, psychological assessments and possibly imaging tests may be recommended. It’s important to be open and honest with your healthcare provider to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Lamotrigine is a widely used antiepileptic and mood-stabilizing drug which acts by blocking sodium and voltage-gated calcium channels and inhibiting glutamate-mediated excitatory neurotransmission. Additionally, there are data supporting a neuroprotective effect Halonen et al. 2001. Lamotrigine has also been shown to reduce symptoms of depersonalization and derealization Sierra et al. 2001, although the same group was unable to reproduce their results in a placebo-controlled follow-up study Sierra et al. 2003.
Reaching an HPPD diagnosis may be easier if your doctor is familiar with the condition and your past drug use. Your doctor will want to know your personal health history, as well as a detailed account of what you’ve experienced. If you experience unexplained hallucinations, it’s important to see a doctor. The doctor may perform an examination, obtain laboratory tests, and take an image of your brain. Researchers and doctors do not yet have a solid understanding of who develops HPPD and why. The strongest connection points to a history of drug addiction treatment hallucinogenic drug use, but it’s not clear how the type of drug or the frequency of drug use may affect who develops HPPD.