Paula Gordon
I almost forgot – Mom's word-visions 1/4
Today’s words:
DEWBERRY (in the seam of a pillowcase),
COO (in a piece of matzo),
MOOSE (in a chocolate cookie).
Today she was seeing the word first, or extrapolating it from a few letters that were visible to her. She was doing this all day, but these were the only words she could piece together when encouraged.
I do love dewberry!
#OldOld #OldBrains #SeeingThings
Jan 11, 2023 at 6:51amWeb
Show threadPaula GordonJan 11, 2023
2/4 She was pondering a piece of matzo and I asked if it was saying, “Eat me!”
She laughed, then squeaked out in a funny voice, “Eat me!”
I told her that I wasn’t worried about her seeing words in things, but if she started to hear objects talking to her, then I would worry. She laughed and said if that happened she probably wouldn’t tell me about it. And I said I hoped she would tell me about it, that I want to know, even if it makes me worry. #OldOld #OldBrains #SeeingThings #caregiving
Show threadPaula GordonJan 11, 2023
3/4 BTW, I found a possible medical description of her behavior: Visual release hallucinations aka Charles Bonnet Syndrome
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_release_hallucinations
The article doesn’t mention letters, but says the images are tiny. Today the letters were the size of the holes in a piece of matzo. Approx 1-2 mm in size. Another similarity: my mother has macular degeneration and is functionally blind in her left eye. (Right eye works.)
#CharlesBonnetSyndrome #AMD #OldOld #OldBrains #SeeingThings
Visual release hallucinations - Wikipedia

Show threadPaula GordonJan 11, 2023
How I found the page: I had my own visual hallucination, a kaleidoscope image, first with eyes closed and, alarmingly, persisting when I opened them. The image was superimposed over everything. I seemed to be looking at a baby’s limbs thru a #kaleidoscope, image bright and crisp and spinning rapidly.
I’m guessing it was a #migraine #aura b/c it resolved into a more standard (for me) #scintillation, like looking through flowing water. It was on waking from a vivid dream (not about babies). 4/4
Show threadmellow kismetJan 11, 2023

@dbaplanb
All 4 posts very interesting! I do love "dewberry." Re your own experience, there is also something called hypnopompic hallucinations that occur right after waking up.
(I should maybe clarify that I'm not trying to diagnose anything here -- just adding to the convo a bit of related info. Please check w your dr for any professional advice. 😄 )

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/hypnopompic-hallucinations

Hypnopompic Hallucinations

Hypnopompic hallucinations are generally harmless hallucinations that occur as a person wakes up. They're more common in people with certain disorders, however.

Sleep Foundation