Jump to content

Does HPPD increase risk of developing dementia later in life?


Recommended Posts

Does anyone know of any cases of HPPD turning into something more serious as time goes on? I'm not down playing HPPD, it is a serious condition by itself. I'm talking about "not knowing who your wife is" kind of mentally ill This is one of my fears that what I have done to my brain has paved the way to dementia and/or other serious mental illness as I get older.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure how old you are but assuming you're under 50 you have a long ways to go before you should consider yourself "old." In between that time there could very well be a cure or at least some sort of medication that alleviates symptoms enough to function as if you were essentially normal again. However, if you're just talking theory alone, it wouldn't surprise me if this led to some sort of cognitive dysfunction down the road. There's a lot of HPPD symptoms that are interrelated with trauma, PTSD and other forms of mental illness, so clearly we're in that arena. But again, who knows. You're much better off trying to focus on little goals to make it through and worry about other larger issues if they arise down the road. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm 24, but since developing these mental problems I feel like an old man. I don't have the drive that I once did and I look forward to sleep more than anything as it is the only true escape from a distorted reality. I think that having HPPD will put you at an increased risk but there's no point worrying about it. I think it's just one of them things that plays on your mind. I keep asking myself the questions: "will I get better?" "Will I get worse?" "Will my life slowly fall apart?" "Will I get a new awful symptom?" "How much longer will this last?" "Will I be this way for the rest of my life?" I am sure that everyone else on here wonders the same... Only time can answer these questions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is a big concern... Dementia seems to be directly related to dopamine release which is thought to also be related to hppd.

I expect an explosion in dementia as the rave generation of the late 80s / early 90s starts hitting 50+ years old.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is nothing to say because there is nothing we now. Try to enjoy what you have right now and dont worry about it, time will tell. We might ens up fine, we might get cancer and what not. It is not a problem except the worrying so stop worrying :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i felt this way when i had hppd in my early stages...mostly caused by dp/dr..but my point is as long as you worry about it you are not in danger...

 

the other thing is, not so long ago i have read an article about a study in a pharmacy news paper and it said: almost 70% of the people who took substances in thier lives known as so called tranquilizers developed alzheimer in their 60-80s...

so if some of you develop alzheimer later in life you can not know if its just why you took benzos or hppd/dp/dr...

 

i think it makes sense that a substance able to make you forget something you normally cant forget is able to lead to alzheimers (cause the brain gets used to it) where you have no longer the choice to remember or not

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Well I'm in my 50s and I object a bit to being classified by someone here as 'old' ;)

 

However, having had this thing a long time, I can say that one of the positives is mental strength.  I've never read of anyone who gets completely lost in the condition to the point they're roaming the streets ranting.  Aren't we all aware that the symptoms are unnaturally imposed?  One of the annoyingly persistent traits for me is a weird innability to talk properly that I get for a week or two about once a year.  I realize now that it'll just pass and that I have to tough it out and it'll pass.  Those with dementia are unaware of it.  I have become somewhat absent minded the last couple of years but everyone my own age that I know has.

 

As far as worrying about it goes, it certainly isn't worth it.  Worry has been another lasting curse but fuck knows if it's HPPD or if I just have general anxiety.  It runs in my family.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.