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What are these called?

9 replies

beavis123 · 11/07/2014 21:01

I experience quite often visual misinterpretations, where I see, for example, a body laying on the floor. I close my eyes and when I look again it is a pile of towels. A dirt spot on the floor looks first like a spider.
I am just wondering if there is a name for this kind of experiences.

OP posts:
UncrushedParsley · 11/07/2014 21:25

Hallucinations maybe?

beavis123 · 11/07/2014 21:52

I did some googling and found this
" illusions in which real perceptions are misinterpreted"

OP posts:
settingsitting · 11/07/2014 21:54

Not being funny, but you may need an up to date eye test just to rule out anything optical?

Chimchar · 11/07/2014 21:58

I sometimes have this too...they are usually quite grim things I 'see'.

It's usually in poor light....I see human faces jumping out from things often.

But I have ishoos.....

Have NO idea what it's called, but I'm glad it's not just me!

beavis123 · 11/07/2014 22:09

What is ishoos?

OP posts:
Chimchar · 12/07/2014 08:32

Sorry. It's a silly way of saying issues.

foolonthehill · 12/07/2014 08:44

Visual/optical illusions are associated with some mental illnesses but they can also be normal. There is an increased likelihood of illusions if you are sleep deprived, highly anxious, or with some medications and alcohol. They are more likely to happen in poor light conditions or if your vision is impaired.

Visual misinterpretations is a good name for them. The brain works by using a "fast scan" to interpret visual data.In Illusions it misinterprets the data and then you refocus to find the real image that the spider is dust, the body is a shadow etc etc.The image is in the environment the interpretation is from the brain

This is not the same as hallucinations where the brain makes up an image and places it in your vision; if you refocus the image will either disappear completely (transitory hallucination) or remain there/transform. The image is in the brain not in the environment.

beavis123 · 12/07/2014 08:58

Thanks for clarification! I have had real hallucinations and on meds, but just wondering what these visual misinterpretations were.

OP posts:
foolonthehill · 13/07/2014 19:39

If you are unwell and on a state of high alert either as part of your illness or because you are frightened of what is happening to you this will make illusions more frequent and usually more frightening...which makes them more frequent.

Relaxation and "mindfullness" type exercises might help you to reduce your high alert status and breathing through the fear.

They don't mean you are getting more ill or that hallucinations are more likely.

best wishes

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