HPPD means hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, notice the word perception? It's about having visual effects that don't do away, it has nothing to do with mood, concentration or cognitive problems that may arise from psychedelic use, or having problems reintegrating and connecting back with reality or your own self / sense of personality
I would be a little more careful, Solipsis, about pronouncing "it has
nothing to do with..." and seeming so utterly certain in your knowledge, which is apparently not as complete as you believe.
According to
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucinogen_persisting_perception_disorder
The visual problems of HPPD can occur along with other mental ailments. Of these, the most prominent are anxiety, panic attacks, depersonalization disorder, and depression. In the sample of Baggott and colleagues, hallucinogen users with persisting and severe visual problems were significantly more likely to report anxiety and depression diagnoses than hallucinogen users without serious visual problems. For example, 25.9% of hallucinogen users with visual problems reported current or past diagnosis of depression. While it is difficult, if not impossible, to establish a clear relationship between the visual and mental symptoms, those with HPPD often testify that a connection indeed exists. For example, anxiety can cause the visuals to become more prominent and vice-versa. Anecdotal wisdom thus maintains that there is a synergistic link between the two
That is VERY VERY different than your absolutist "has nothing to do with" assertion. Furthermore, the list of possible visual aberrations is large, and I thought mrdocat mentioned some visual effects like trouble with bright lights, hazy vision, trouble recognizing things (himself!) in mirrors etc.
I don't feel you ought to be shooing him away from a diagnosis of HPPD when you are not a doctor and have not seen him in person nor conducted an extensive survey/interview. Dispensing serious medical advice like this based on someone's random internet postings about his condition, which may well be incomplete, is a BAD idea. So is trying to diagnose himself, btw. I know you just are trying to help, but he really needs to have this thoroughly considered by an psychiatry professional with experience in HPPD. You really ought not be telling anyone what they have is or is not definitely this or that, this is going over the line IMO, you are not a physician and this is not a doctor's office.
It IS included in the official list of medical diagnoses and syndromes, and while it is still unknown what causes it and the full range of impacts, it seems to me like hppd, or something similar, or a variation that may result from the same alterations in brain functioning (not "damage" just changes in manner of operating) COULD WELL have to do with what is wrong with him.
"HPPD is a DSM-IV diagnosis with diagnostic code 292.89"
He should be able to get more information by just googling HPPD, but it is VITAL that he not attempt to diagnose himself and start trying random treatments by illicitly obtaining powerful possibly dangerous prescription meds like those discussed.
PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT... ***NOT*** endless whining and chatter on the net is what he need to be doing immediately!!! He needs to find someone with expertise in HPPD and see them and be HONEST about his one use of LSD.... they will NOT get him in legal trouble, it is VERY common to experiment at his age, and ALL professionals involved will I am sure be entirely concerned ONLY with making him better. Since he is 18 and of legal age, he also need not worry about them revealing anything he does not want revealed to his parents or anyone else... I would be sure that since he is an adult, the caregivers are going to be BOUND by MEDICAL PRIVACY LAWS to keep ALL discussions and diagnoses completely confidential. He can tell his family anything he wants about why he is seeking help if he wishes to not reveal the drug use. The doctors are PROHIBITED BY LAW from telling them even if they ask and even of they are paying for the treatment. But it is probably a good idea to tell any doctor he sees of his wishes for everything to remain totally PRIVATE, and to remind them of his legal age.
AND: even if it is NOT strictly HPPD, perhaps it is something related but as yet undocumented, and surely psychiatrists/psychologists with expertise in HPPD would ALSO have expertise in other related problems, and ARE the proper place to begin.
Enough dicking around on the web, mrdocat. See a professional with EXPERIENCE in these issues pronto... NOT just your general doctor who probably has ZERO training in such matters. Good luck, sweet dreams
