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by locrelite 3039 days ago
Been there.

I refer to it as "losing my fucking mind" but each to his own.

2 comments

Were you diagnosed?

Do you have neurological issues? (or suffer from risk factors? such as high blood pressure, overweight, diabetes, sedentarity) I wonder if that could be related (because of PKD's eventual tragic death by stroke). As far as my tiny medical knowledge goes schizophrenia hallucinations usually auditory in nature and not very explicit. There's also the question of the effect of the drug supposedly taken during his dentist procedure ( a compound which seems to have brain effects https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_thiopental#Side_effects ).

Of course he was probably in general risk for delusional thinking given his job to constantly devise bizarre plots questioning every aspect of reality. But it does make me curious whether he suffered from a neurological condition, or just a psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia.

Hope you're doing well, mental disorders are scary :(

Diagnosed, strapped to a gurney, and popped in the system for a couple of months. It was almost two decades ago, I'm fine. But having seen and thought most of the things people describe in these experiences, I find post facto attempts to elevate them (usually based on a few coincidences) wishful thinking.
Agreed. It's a disordered, scary place to be in. Not something to glorify and fantasize as a mythical or sensory experience (especially since unlike hallucinogen drugs it's not voluntary, it lasts potentially all your life and you're not in control).
You should check out Valis, the book PKD wrote as part of his attempt to deal with his experience.

He was very much aware he was likely going insane.

Well he also says it saved his sons life, so I don’t think it’s that clear to him
Already wrote my own, I'm covered.