Transcript
Participant _41 Vision explanation
I started to see a large monster-looking creature, but with some human characteristics, dressed in ancient Aztec or Mayan clothing. He had a distorted face, but human-like body and was at least 8 feet tall and very broad.
My thoughts were – How come I’m not overly freaked out by this? Why am I hallucinating like this? I did not tell anyone.
I really cannot make any solid connection to cause of why I’m seeing this specific image.
Am I seeing this vision because there’s a Mayan figurine on the mantle of my fireplace? They don’t actually look alike and I don’t necessarily think that there is a correlation. I mean there’s just no rhyme or reason for it whatsoever.
I mean it was, very, very vivid, but not something that really freaked me out. Nothing that I talked about either, – really – for a few reasons. I want to be clear that early on I did not know about Charles Bonnet syndrome until nine months into my phantom image experiences.
So, I just let it be and I sort of—I don’t want to use the word “enjoy” —but I just sort of went with it.
Participant _48 Vision explanation
I’ll describe a couple. My favourite vision was the time I saw my wife wearing Groucho Marx glasses and nose putty.
We were standing three meters apart in our kitchen. I don’t remember what she was saying but, – she had her usual sparkling wit and humour. I just couldn’t concentrate and said, “I’m so sorry, I’ve got to tell you what I see going on.”
It makes me laugh.
I have no problem telling people that as fortunately, you know, it’s still hilarious to this day.
It’s like a constant struggle between brain and body. Body saying, ‘I know this isn’t real’, and your brain is going, ‘I don’t care’.
For example, it might be a lovely warm sunny day. There’s no possible way the ground is frozen. Maybe it was raining the night before, so the pavement is kind of darker, or it could be just with the lighting.
My brain will say – this is ice and it’s very slippery, even though it feels warm, and you know there’s no possible way. Irrespective of the cues and the information I’m taking in, that’s just how the information is being processed. You need to take care of yourself and protect your body like you’re walking on ice.
Participant _50 Vision explanation
Why am I seeing this, what is happening to me, am I going daft?
I have sight loss but didn’t associate it with that, until I told my optician what was happening. Once I knew what was happening, they were beautiful little drawings. A lot like those my grandchildren and children drew when they were young. It’s usually when I wake up in the morning after I’ve got up and I’m coming back into the bedroom. Then in the room, the ceiling, the wall, the carpet, and the bed is covered from top to bottom … it was like a checkerboard. That was a bit spooky. Children’s drawings of houses, gardens, and parks. All very brightly coloured: pink, blue, yellow, green, orange, and purple. The visions where pleasant once I realised what was happening. They come in as flash cards – dogs and cats, anything! Very vivid.
It’s a peculiar scene I hadn’t anticipated at all.
I try and explain to people, but they really don’t get it. It’s frustrating, really frustrating! I just acknowledge them and talk to them and then they seem to go away.