Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder

Causes

100

HPPD most often follows use of this psychedelic drug

LSD

200

This common hallucinogenic drug can trigger HPPD

Psilocybin mushrooms

300

MDMA, also known as what street name, could also be linked to HPPD

ecstasy

400

HPPD is not caused by brain damage,but by changes in these brain pathways 

neurotransmitters

500

Some researchers believe HPPD may result from overstimulation of this system in the brain 

visual system

Risk factors/Triggers

100

 Using hallucinogens at this stage of life may increases the risk of developing HPPD.

adolescence or a young adulthood 

200

HPPD is more likely to occur after the repeated use rather than after this kind of single exposure 

one time use or single trip 

300

People with these pre-existing mental health condition may be at higher risk for

anxiety or mood disorders

400

Stress and fatigue can act as these, worsening HPPD symptoms 

triggers 

500

Even people who have never used hallucinogens again can experience HPPD after this long

months or years later 

Symptoms

100

seeing objects with bright colors with halos or bright outlines is known as seeing these

auras 

200

People with HPPD sometimes see colors "bleeding" with other colors, also called

colors bleeding 

300

patients often report seeing trails behind moving objects, also called 

tracers 

400

describe small dots moving across their vision, also called 

visual snow 

500

A common symptom of HPPD is distorted perception of these two basic elements of vision 

size and shape

Diagnosis

100

Doctors may use this type of imaging tests to rule out epilepsy or seizures

EEG

200

An eye doctor might perform one of these exams to check for retinal problems 

eye exam

300

HPPD is often confused with this serious mental illness involving hallucinations 

schizophrenia

400

To diagnose HPPD, doctores rely primarily on this type of patient account 

symptom history 

500

HPPD is listed under this broader category of mental health conditions in the DSM-5 

hallucinogen related disorders 

Treatments

100

This class of anxiety medications, including clonazepam, is sometimes use to treat HPPD

Benzodiazepines 

200

This type of therapy helps patients manage stress and anxiety linked to HPPD

CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy)

300

Doctors recommend avoiding category of substances to prevent worsening symptoms

Hallucinogens (recreational drugs)

400

Some patients find symptoms improve when they reduce 

caffeine 

500

because treatment is still limited, many patients rely on this supportive type of care 

lifestyle management or coping strategies