Language, Cognition, and Hallucination: How Reddit Posts Offer Insight into the Social Realities of Life with Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder

Language, Cognition, and Hallucination: How Reddit Posts Offer Insight into the Social Realities of Life with Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder

Karsten Allendorfer

This study delves into the nuanced implications of linguistic expression and its impact on the diagnosis and stigmatization of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), an illness in which the once-intended psychoactive effects of hallucinogenic substances continue to affect an individual’s perception after the drug’s physical effects have worn off. Utilizing discourse analysis of personal narratives from the r/HPPD Reddit community, this study uncovers the inadequacies of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ current diagnostic criteria in addressing the multifaceted perceptual nature of HPPD, revealing a broader spectrum of symptoms than currently recognized and highlighting the negative implications for affected individuals. This research positions the complexity of HPPD’s symptomatic language as both a diagnostic tool and a barrier to genuine understanding within the biomedical framework. The findings suggest the need for a revised diagnostic approach that encourages the adoption of the terminology used by individuals to describe their experience with HPPD, aligning clinical terminology with patient-reported symptoms. Finally, this study contributes to recent conversations concerning the potential of patient-led online communities in informing and enriching clinical understandings of health and illness.