Just wanted to make a post as someone who has had HPPD for the past 16 years.

I did "mushrooms" (not sure what exactly I took, it was a baggie of what I would now think to be penis envy) when I was 16.

I still have HPPD but have learned to deal with it and have even started microdosing with mushrooms(when I am microdosing my HPPD is actually better).

When it first happened I was so terrified I ended up telling my parents what I did and going to the ER. Of course they found nothing and I had further hurt my relationship with my parents. My anxiety was also off the charts at that time, along with depression, and I drank even more because it "mellowed" the symptoms.

I think it took a good 2-3 years to even learn HPPD was a thing.

At the same time I also developed migraines with Auras which I thought were flashbacks.

I did what I could to learn to live with it. I was not sober and have never been 100% sober even with HPPD. I went periods of time without weed or drinking but still have a baseline of symptoms. I still have fairly strong after images, floaters, and closed eye visuals (the snow/static at night only gets bad if I smoke a lot of pot).

It was a big struggle in my life but I did attend university, I have a corporate job, a kid and live a relatively normal life.

Not sure the point of this post other than to give hope even if it doesn't go away.

My only concern is when I get old and if I have other sight issues if it's going to make it even worse. I already have a very strong prescription for my glasses, so further eye issues HPPD make me worried.

I agree with other posts to not focus on it, do what you can to distract yourself. I even considered wearing tinted glasses consistently as it mellows it. Also deal with any underlying issues that got worse because of it (depression, anxiety, addiction, etc.).

Stay strong fellow HPPD sufferers. ❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜