Why does it feel like raindrops on my skin when it’s not raining. What causes the sensation of water droplets on skin without actual rain. How can you distinguish between Paresthesia and Dysesthesia. What are the symptoms and treatments for these neurological conditions.

The Phenomenon of Phantom Raindrops: Understanding Paresthesia

Have you ever experienced the peculiar sensation of raindrops on your skin when the sky is clear? This intriguing phenomenon, often described as “phantom raindrops,” is more common than you might think. The medical term for this sensation is Paresthesia, a neurological condition that can cause various unusual sensations on the skin.

Paresthesia is characterized by tingling, burning, or crawling sensations on the skin without any apparent physical cause. These sensations are often painless and temporary, leading many people to dismiss them as a minor inconvenience. However, understanding the underlying causes of Paresthesia can provide valuable insights into our nervous system’s functioning.

What causes Paresthesia?

Paresthesia typically occurs due to pressure on nerves or disruptions in nerve signaling. Common triggers include:

• Prolonged pressure on a body part (e.g., falling asleep on your arm)
• Poor circulation
• Nerve compression
• Certain medications
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Anxiety or stress

In most cases, the sensation of phantom raindrops is harmless and resolves on its own. However, persistent or recurring Paresthesia may indicate an underlying medical condition that requires attention.

Dysesthesia: When Phantom Sensations Become Painful

While Paresthesia is generally painless, a related condition called Dysesthesia can cause more intense and uncomfortable sensations. Dysesthesia is characterized by painful burning, aching, or squeezing sensations that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

How does Dysesthesia differ from Paresthesia?

The main differences between Dysesthesia and Paresthesia include:

1. Pain intensity: Dysesthesia is typically more painful than Paresthesia.
2. Duration: Dysesthesia symptoms often persist longer than those of Paresthesia.
3. Cause: Dysesthesia is often associated with nerve damage or neurological disorders.
4. Impact on daily life: Dysesthesia can significantly affect sleep and overall well-being.

Understanding these differences can help individuals identify whether they are experiencing Paresthesia or Dysesthesia and seek appropriate medical attention if necessary.

The Science Behind Phantom Sensations: How Our Nervous System Plays Tricks

To understand why we sometimes feel phantom raindrops or other unusual sensations, it’s essential to explore how our nervous system processes sensory information. Our skin contains numerous sensory receptors that detect various stimuli, including touch, temperature, and pressure. These receptors send signals to the brain via nerve fibers, allowing us to interpret and respond to our environment.

Why does the brain misinterpret sensory signals?

In some cases, the brain may misinterpret signals from sensory receptors, leading to phantom sensations. This misinterpretation can occur due to various factors, including:

• Nerve compression or damage
• Hyperactive nerve fibers
• Changes in blood flow to certain areas of the body
• Neurological disorders affecting sensory processing
• Psychological factors, such as anxiety or stress

By understanding these mechanisms, researchers and healthcare professionals can develop more effective treatments for individuals experiencing persistent phantom sensations.

Common Triggers and Risk Factors for Phantom Sensations

While anyone can experience phantom sensations like the feeling of raindrops on their skin, certain factors may increase the likelihood of these occurrences. Identifying these triggers and risk factors can help individuals better manage and prevent uncomfortable sensations.

What are the most common triggers for phantom sensations?

Some of the most frequent triggers for phantom sensations include:

1. Prolonged pressure on nerves (e.g., crossing legs for extended periods)
2. Repetitive motions or vibrations
3. Sudden changes in temperature or humidity
4. Dehydration or electrolyte imbalances
5. Certain medications, particularly those affecting nerve function
6. Anxiety or panic attacks
7. Lack of sleep or poor sleep quality

By recognizing these triggers, individuals can take proactive steps to minimize their occurrence and reduce the frequency of phantom sensations.

Diagnosing and Treating Persistent Phantom Sensations

While occasional phantom sensations are usually harmless, persistent or severe symptoms may warrant medical attention. Healthcare professionals use various diagnostic tools and techniques to determine the underlying cause of chronic Paresthesia or Dysesthesia.

How do doctors diagnose the cause of phantom sensations?

Diagnostic methods may include:

• Physical examination
• Neurological tests
• Blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies or underlying health conditions
• Nerve conduction studies
• Imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans
• Psychological evaluation to assess stress or anxiety levels

Once a diagnosis is made, treatment options can be tailored to address the specific cause of the phantom sensations. Treatment approaches may include medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, or psychological interventions, depending on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.

Coping Strategies and Self-Care for Phantom Sensations

For individuals experiencing occasional phantom sensations or mild cases of Paresthesia, several self-care strategies can help alleviate discomfort and reduce the frequency of occurrences.

What are effective ways to manage phantom sensations at home?

Consider the following self-care techniques:

1. Practice good posture and ergonomics to reduce nerve compression
2. Engage in regular exercise to improve circulation
3. Use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to manage stress
4. Maintain a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients
5. Stay hydrated and limit alcohol and caffeine intake
6. Apply heat or cold therapy to affected areas
7. Gently massage or stretch affected limbs to improve blood flow
8. Wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid constricting blood vessels

By incorporating these strategies into daily life, many individuals find relief from mild phantom sensations and improve their overall comfort.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Phantom Sensations

While most cases of phantom sensations are benign, certain symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires medical evaluation. Recognizing these warning signs can help individuals seek timely medical care and prevent potential complications.

What symptoms indicate a need for medical evaluation?

Consider seeking medical attention if you experience:

• Persistent or worsening phantom sensations
• Severe pain accompanying the sensations
• Numbness or weakness in affected areas
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Sensations that spread to other parts of the body
• Phantom sensations accompanied by other neurological symptoms
• Symptoms that significantly impact daily activities or quality of life

Early intervention can lead to more effective treatment and better outcomes for individuals experiencing persistent or severe phantom sensations.

The Psychological Impact of Chronic Phantom Sensations

For some individuals, chronic phantom sensations can have a significant psychological impact, affecting mood, sleep, and overall quality of life. Understanding and addressing these psychological effects is crucial for comprehensive management of the condition.

How can chronic phantom sensations affect mental health?

Potential psychological impacts include:

1. Increased anxiety or stress related to the unpredictable nature of symptoms
2. Depression due to chronic discomfort or limitations on daily activities
3. Sleep disturbances leading to fatigue and irritability
4. Social isolation if symptoms interfere with social interactions
5. Reduced self-esteem or body image issues
6. Frustration or anger about the persistence of symptoms
7. Fear of developing more serious health conditions

Addressing these psychological aspects through counseling, support groups, or mindfulness practices can significantly improve overall well-being for individuals dealing with chronic phantom sensations.

Emerging Research and Future Treatments for Phantom Sensations

As our understanding of neurological processes continues to advance, researchers are exploring innovative approaches to treating and managing phantom sensations. These emerging therapies offer hope for individuals who have not found relief through conventional treatments.

What are some promising areas of research for phantom sensation treatment?

Exciting areas of research include:

• Neuromodulation techniques to regulate nerve activity
• Gene therapy targeting specific nerve pathways
• Advanced imaging technologies for more precise diagnosis
• Virtual reality-based therapies for pain management
• Personalized medicine approaches based on genetic profiles
• Novel pharmaceutical compounds targeting specific neural receptors
• Regenerative medicine techniques to repair damaged nerves

While many of these treatments are still in the experimental stage, they offer promising avenues for future management of phantom sensations and related neurological conditions.

Living with Phantom Sensations: Personal Stories and Coping Strategies

Hearing from individuals who have successfully managed their phantom sensations can provide valuable insights and inspiration for others dealing with similar experiences. These personal accounts highlight the diverse ways people cope with and overcome the challenges posed by unusual sensory experiences.

How do individuals successfully manage chronic phantom sensations?

Common strategies shared by those living with phantom sensations include:

1. Developing a strong support network of family, friends, and healthcare providers
2. Exploring alternative therapies such as acupuncture or biofeedback
3. Engaging in hobbies or activities that provide distraction from symptoms
4. Practicing mindfulness and acceptance of sensations without judgment
5. Keeping a symptom journal to identify patterns and triggers
6. Advocating for oneself in healthcare settings to ensure comprehensive care
7. Participating in clinical trials or research studies to contribute to scientific understanding

By sharing these experiences and strategies, individuals living with phantom sensations can help reduce stigma, increase awareness, and provide hope for others facing similar challenges.

The Role of Technology in Managing Phantom Sensations

Advancements in technology are opening new avenues for managing and monitoring phantom sensations. From wearable devices to smartphone apps, these innovations are empowering individuals to take a more active role in their health management.

How can technology aid in managing phantom sensations?

Technological solutions for phantom sensation management include:

• Wearable devices that deliver targeted electrical stimulation to affected areas
• Smartphone apps for tracking symptoms and identifying triggers
• Virtual reality programs for pain management and relaxation
• Telemedicine platforms for remote consultations with specialists
• Smart clothing with built-in sensors to monitor nerve activity
• Artificial intelligence-powered diagnostic tools for more accurate assessments
• Online support communities for sharing experiences and coping strategies

As technology continues to evolve, these tools are likely to become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, offering new hope for individuals dealing with phantom sensations and related neurological conditions.

Educating Others: Raising Awareness About Phantom Sensations

One of the challenges faced by individuals experiencing phantom sensations is the lack of understanding from others. Raising awareness about these neurological phenomena can help create a more supportive environment and reduce the stigma associated with invisible symptoms.

How can we effectively educate others about phantom sensations?

Strategies for raising awareness include:

1. Sharing personal experiences through social media or blogs
2. Participating in community health fairs or educational events
3. Collaborating with healthcare providers to develop informational materials
4. Advocating for increased research funding and attention to neurological conditions
5. Engaging with local support groups or patient advocacy organizations
6. Encouraging open discussions about sensory experiences in various settings
7. Supporting efforts to improve medical education on neurological symptoms

By fostering greater understanding and empathy, we can create a more inclusive society that recognizes and supports individuals dealing with phantom sensations and other neurological conditions.

Have You Ever Thought Why It Feels Like Raindrops On My Skin, But No Rain?

“Keep calm and love rains” the saying feels deep. Like most people and me, you must love the rain. The feeling of raindrops falling on your skin sure is mesmerizing. But have you ever faced such a sensation without the rain?! “Why it feels like raindrops on my skin even though it’s not raining?”- have you ever asked such a question to yourself?

The feeling of water droplets on our skin without any actual water might result from a term called Paresthesia. Medics use this term to denote abnormal sensations in our bodies.

Do stick along if you have this type of sensation and are eager to discover the mystery. Let’s dive deeper into the realm of such an untypical feeling.

Feels Like Raindrops On My Skin Without Any Rain

Have you felt like a sudden itch or something crawling on the skin? Or felt like raindrops on your skin without any apparent reason? If so, you might have experienced an abnormal nervous activity.

Senses are just responses of our body sensors to the outside world interactions. These senses are then transported to our brain via the nervous system. Our brain catches the signal, and viola, we feel senses.

However, due to abnormal responses of your nervous system, your brain can get misinformation related to senses. “Why it feels like raindrops on my skin?” can be the result of such an action.

This abnormal nervous system activity in your body mainly occurs on your arms, legs, feet, or hands. You might also feel it in your other body parts as well.

However, what is that neurological condition is: is it Dysesthesia or Paresthesia? Let’s see what these conditions are and what is causing your raindrop sensations.

What Is Paresthesia?

Paresthesia is the painless feeling of tickling, burning, or feeling something crawling on your skin. People also use “pins and needles” to describe the temporary Paresthesia.

You can feel temporary Paresthesia due to putting pressure on your nerves. You can feel it if you have fallen asleep on your hand or if you have sat, placing stress on your legs.

But as the pressure is released, you will feel the tingling feeling disappear.

What Is Dysesthesia?

Dysesthesia is also similar to Paresthesia. It usually feels like painful burning or aching feeling. Besides your hands and legs, which are most commonly affected, you can also feel the effect on your chest or abdomen.

You can feel as if something is squeezing you tightly, almost as if you are being tightly hugged. For this reason, some people also refer to this as “MS hug.”

The painful feeling of Dysesthesia can be temporary. However, it can also stay for a couple of whiles. The pain can start from a normal change in your sensation. It can also come out of completely nowhere.

Though you feel the pain in your legs, arms, or other places, that’s not actually where the problem is. Like Paresthesia, this is also the result of your nervous system sending signals to your brain without apparent reason.

So, is Dystesthesia similar to Paresthesia? Let’s find out.

The Raindrops Sensation: Paresthesia VS. Dysesthesia

Feeling of water drops on skin anxiety results from the nervous system’s abnormal response. You can feel tingling, burning, itching, or feel like something is crawling on your skin.

Paresthesia is mostly a painless feeling which makes you feel the sensation of tingling or water droplets on your skin. You can feel it if you have put pressure on your legs, arms, etc.

The pressure on the nerves causes them to send an abnormal signal to your brain, and you feel the strange sensation. Most people face temporary Paresthesia. You might have figured that the feeling occurs with a pattern if you have noticed closely.

After sleeping on your arms or sitting with your legs under pressure, you might have felt the tingling, itching feeling. However, it fades away as you release the tension. The feeling is similar to “pins and needles” on the skin.

Dysesthesia, on the other hand, is a result of nerve damage. It also affects the legs, arms, and other parts of your body. However, unlike Paresthesia, the feeling is not painless. If you face the abnormality, you will feel burning, stabbing, or electrical sensations on your body parts.

Dysesthesia is also not temporary as Paresthesia but chronic. The severity is also higher in this case. Due to the severeness, it can affect your sleep and your day-to-day living quality.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Paresthesia and Dysesthesia are almost similar. You generally feel an abnormal sensation on your legs, arms, or feet.

The main similarity between the two abnormal nervous conditions is in the severity. Paresthesia is generally temporary, whereas Dysesthesia is quite chronic. You can also check symptoms to figure out which one you are facing.

Paresthesia

It generally happens when you put pressure on your limbs. Like most other people, you have fallen; you may feel it. If you have sat in an abnormal position, you can also feel uneasy. The symptoms include-

• Numbness
• Feeling like water droplets
• Tingling
• Itching
• Skin crawling

Paresthesia is usually painless. Since it occurs due to abnormal pressure on your limbs, the uneasy sensation disappears as you relax your muscles.

Dysesthesia

Dysesthesia is chronic primarily. Unlike Paresthesia, it is painful and can affect your day-to-day activities, including sleep quality.

It occurs due to nerve damage. The reasons may include-

• Autoimmune disease
• Diabetes
• Certain types of stroke

These can cause your nerves to get damaged and behave abnormally. The symptoms of Dsysesthesia are-

• Burning
• Ice cold
• Stabbing
• Prickling
• Pain with light or no touch
• Stabbing

Diagnosis

Paresthesia and Dysesthesia are first suspected to be fundamental skin problems as the skin on your limbs feels affected. However, that is not where the problem lies, and often it isn’t easy to figure this out in the first place.

Therefore, the diagnosis begins with essential skin checkups. After your doctor has crossed out all the dermatological diseases, you should diagnose the abnormal nervous activities.

The diagnosis begins with a blood test. Your doctor can refer you to different types of tests, including-

• Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
• Complement (C3, C4)
• Glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c)
• Viral hepatitis
• Heavy metal levels
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

Your doctor would suggest you other physical exams as well, along with a thorough checkup of your medical history. Other diagnosis procedures might include-

• Skin biopsy
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and cervical spine 
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis 
• X-rays of the cervical/thoracic spine

Treatment

If you are tired of asking yourself, “why it feels like raindrops on my skin without any rain?” you should start with your treatment ASAP. After confirming whether you are facing Paresthesia or Dysesthesia, you should move on with your treatment accordingly.

Your treatment can vary according to your symptoms and the place of occurrence. However, the primary treatment would include-

• Local anesthetic patches
• Topical amitriptyline 1% with ketamine 0.5% for forearm itching
• Propranolol
• Antiepileptics – Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Carbamazepine
• Capsaicin cream

Alongside these medications, your doctor might also refer-

• Physiotherapy
• Botulinum-A injections 
• Physical constraints to prevent scratching and rubbing
• Narrow-band ultraviolet radiation
• Transcutaneous electrical muscle stimulation (TENS)

Doctors at My Concierge, MD, are experts to guide you through all the procedures flawlessly.

Lifestyle Modification to Manage Raindrops Sensation

The feeling of raindrops on your skin occurs due to neurological conditions primarily. However, the issue originates mainly from an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. Therefore, lifestyle modification can be your first step, controlling the troublesome sensation.

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet, especially food containing anti-inflammatory substances – leafy greens, fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc.
• Avoid spicy, sugary, fatty, and fried foods – red meats, sweets, white flour, soft drinks, processed foods, etc.
• Hydration is crucial – a minimum of eight to ten glasses daily.
• Keep moving, exercise – especially aerobics or brisk-paced walking for thirty to forty minutes five days a week.
• Stress control is crucial – practice yoga, meditation, etc.
• Pay attention to sound sleep.
• Stay positive and pleasant – socially active, focused, and confident.

Final Words

Abnormal nervous responses are pretty common. They can be the obvious answer to the question, “why it feels like raindrops on my skin but no rain?”. Though the reason may sound complicated, it is not something to worry about.

With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can quickly get rid of the effects of Paresthesia and Dysesthesia.

Doctors at My Concierge, MD, are always ready to guide you to ensure you get the best treatment. So no need to worry anymore; maintain a healthy life and follow your doctor’s advice and be back in your flawless life in no time.

Meaning of Feeling Water Drops on your Skin – Spells8

Written by Francisco Huanaco Posted on January 29, 2023 in Spells8 Blog

Have you ever awakened to the feeling of a drop of water hitting your skin? It feels so cold and real that it startles you awake – but as you instinctively try to wipe it away – it’s gone. You’re not alone. Reports of unexplained water droplets, sometimes associated with paranormal activity or spiritual significance, are surprisingly abundant. But what do these phantom water droplets mean exactly? From tales tying them to visits from departed loved ones to theories about banishing negative energy or divine blessings coming into fruition, today we tackle the unique phenomena commonly known as “phantom water droplets” and explore their possible meanings.

Water Elemental Invocation

Phantom water droplets are a phenomenon in which a person experiences the feeling of a cold drop of water hitting their skin. However, when that person goes to wipe the water away, they quickly discover that there is none to be found. Some even report that the sensation lingers on their skin long after the alleged initial contact. But, having no physical proof of this experience can leave many scratching their heads.

A person may experience the sensation of phantom water drops while asleep or wide awake. Mediums, empaths, and people who are more spiritually aligned may be more susceptible to experiencing phantom water drops.

These ghostly droplets may seem to rain down from above, but in some cases, witnesses have reported water droplets that completely defy gravity – floating upwards or flying from one side of the room to the next.

Such was true for the case of Don Decker, also known as the “Rain Man” of Stroudsburg, who was blamed for a harrowing event witnessed by several family friends and police officers who were called to the scene.

When officers arrived, they observed vast amounts of water flying through the room and dripping from the walls with no discernible cause. Decker believes the event to be paranormal in nature, having occurred shortly after the death of his grandfather. He also claims to have been attacked by an unseen force moments before the phantom water droplets began to fill the home.

Witnesses claim that Decker caused the incident and was capable of summoning streams of water at will. The case was so strange that it was featured on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries.

What Does It Mean If You Experience Phantom Water Droplets?

Experiencing phantom water drops can signify that an otherworldly entity is near. While it may seem scary at first, this phenomenon is often experienced by a person whose spirit guides are trying desperately to contact them or get their attention.

Water is a conduit between the physical and spiritual worlds. When a spirit guide (or other entity) is feeling overly emotional(i.e. pride, joy, or even wrath in regard to the work that you are doing here on the physical plane), this can manifest physically in the form of phantom water droplets.

Get Answers with Incense

When this happens, it’s very likely that a spirit guide or entity is trying to contact you. Once you have determined that this is indeed the cause, there are a few ways to determine the message that your guide is trying to send you. Be wary – not all spirits who reach out are exactly who or what they say they are.

How To Tell If A Spirit Is Malevolent:

1. Insects, spiders, or other wildlife naturally flee from its presence. Spirits who do not mean us harm will also appear less frightening to the creatures who surround us. If it seems that local wildlife is avoiding a specific location or presence, then there is a chance that they are sensing some ill intent.
2. Items go missing inexplicably. This is another sign that a spirit does not mean well. While this practice is considered common for fae-like spirits, it can also indicate the presence of a powerful spirit trying to get your attention.

Types of Fairies

It’s important to remember that your spirit guides mean the best for you – and wouldn’t go around hiding things that you need (unless they are doing so to protect you, such as hiding your keys during a snowstorm, for example). When this occurs frequently to items you know couldn’t have gone missing any other way, it’s safe to assume this entity isn’t trying to help you.

3. Pungent smells. Powerful entities may even carry strong, unpleasant odors (like sulfur and decay).

All in all, it is clear that phantom water drops have a deeper meaning than we can see on the surface. While they may trigger discomfort or fear for those who experience it, there are other significant facets to consider, such as the relation to spiritual growth, divine guidance, and healing. That said, you can never know what lies beyond the veil, so always take time to determine if an entity is a guide or one that means you harm before attempting contact.

Ready to Contact the Otherside?

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Senestopathies

Senestopathies (Greek koinos – general, aisthesis – feeling, sensation, pathios – suffering, illness) – pathological sensations, the development of which is not associated with somatic disorders and external effects on the organs of sensitivity. The following terms are also used: coenesthesia, sensations, psychosomatic sensations, somatic hallucinations, somatoform disorder, bodily illusions, dissomesthesias. Described by E. Dupre and P. Camus in 1907. Diagnostic criteria for senestopathy are as follows:

Polymorphism is extremely diverse, in which almost all modalities of sensations are represented, as well as numerous submodal sensations. Patients themselves prefer to call them “pains”, although, strictly speaking, senestopathy itself is very often not pain, this is easily found out during targeted questioning. Quite often, patients change the description of senestopathy every now and then, as if they could not find their exact verbal formula. Quite often at the same patient various senestopathies are presented;

Unusual, sometimes very strange, pretentious nature of sensations , which sharply distinguishes them from natural painful sensations caused by somatic pathology. The impression of unusualness is largely due to the fact that the localization, projection, configuration and interpretation of senestopathic sensations are very different from what somatic patients usually report. Along with senestopathies, patients may present quite typical complaints of a somatic nature; this circumstance indicates the preservation of the normal process of formation of sensations. At the same time, many patients describe ordinary somatic complaints in a rather strange way. The latter circumstance requires caution in assessing the somatic complaints of patients;

Painful affective tone of senestopathic sensations . This is manifested, firstly, by the fact that senestopathies are often a source of extreme suffering for patients, sometimes leading to suicidal thoughts. There are cases when, according to patients, they have not experienced anything more painful in their entire lives. Secondly, various fears are often associated with senestopathies, for example, the fear of a serious illness, insanity, death. This long-known fact was called by German authors “fear in the head”;

Persistent, as if relentless, persistent or even haunting character of senestopathic sensations . It seems to patients that senestopathies have the property of forcibly attracting their attention to themselves. In other words, patients describe in this way a symptom of painful reflection;

Depressed mood usually associated with senestopathies. Depression prevails, combined with anxiety and fears. Depressed mood, meanwhile, is not always recognized by patients. Typical for most of them is a tendency to psychologize their condition. In the view of such patients, the cause of depressed mood is exclusively senestopathies:

“What can be the mood when it hurts.” It is often possible to trace that the dynamics of senestopathies is parallel to mood swings. In particular, senestopathies can occur in attacks, accompanied by panic fear. Such senestopathic attacks are more often regarded as a manifestation of affective pathology, i.e., as panic attacks. Cases of mania with senestopathies are very rare;

Uncriticality of patients , who usually believe that senestopathies, even the most unusual ones, are not a sign of mental, but of some kind of somatic, sometimes serious disease. Sometimes there are patients with senestopathies and delusions of a somatic disease thematically associated with them;

The area of ​​sensitivity in which senestopathies develop is someesthesia. Painful phenomena in exteroceptive modalities of sensation, similar to senestopathies, are unknown. In other words, such a cross-modal relationship, in which the painful qualities of interoception would be reflected in violations of exteroception, apparently does not exist.

There are different approaches to the systematization of senestopathies. One of them is anatomical. So, A.K.Anufriev (1979) distinguishes the following five types of senestopathies: cardiovascular, central neurological, abdominal, musculoskeletal, and skin-subcutaneous. The author notes that senestopathies localized in the region of the head and heart are especially common.

This approach, and this is its undoubted advantages, is most appropriate in cases of senestopathies with resistance and a certain localization. Perhaps it also reflects the point of view, according to which senestopathies are somehow connected with actual or previous somatic pathology. In addition, one cannot exclude the possibility that the localization of senestopathies to a certain extent reflects the patients’ opinion about the significance of the functions of certain organs for him, i.e., emphasizes the role of psychological factors in the genesis of senestopathies. Some observations have shown, for example, that the localization of senestopathies in the genitals is prognostically unfavorable.

Another approach to the systematization of senestopathies is associated with the clinical and psychopathological assessment of the latter. The central idea of ​​this approach is that the severity of lesions in senestopathies can be established by signs indicating their place in the well-known scale of productive mental disorders, which was presented by A.V. Snezhnevsky in 1983. According to this scale, the severity of a symptom is determined by the structure of which syndrome this symptom is included in (it is included and thus modified in one way or another, and not just accompanies the main psychopathological syndrome).

Meanwhile, a number of researchers have established that signs of depersonalization, delusions, hallucinations, phenomena of mental automatism and even paraphrenia can be detected in senestopathies (Ushakov, 1973; Ostroglazov, 1975; Eglitis, 1977; Anufriev, 1978; Guteneva, 1979, 1980; Basov, 1980, etc.). Thus, it becomes possible to systematize senestopathies, depending on how deep the brain damage that gave rise to them is. This approach is the basis of the present description of senestopathies. The following types of senestopathies will be mentioned: simple, psychosensory, interpretative, hallucinatory and paraphrenic.

Simple senestopathies

Their characteristic features are:

• clear and usually monomorphic perceptual modality. These are pains, thermal sensations, tactile sensations, pressure sensations, vibrations;
• localization limited to certain topographic zones;
• a projection corresponding to such a modality of one or another type of sensitivity in the norm;
• significant similarity with general somatic painful sensations;
• the presence of subdepressive mood with depression and anxiety-phobic inclusions. Probably, the aggravated emotional reaction of patients to the fact of senestopathy is connected with this; any inadequate interpretations, however, are not revealed. Simple senestopathies in this sense can probably be designated as depressive.

Some authors present simple cenestopathies differently. So, M.I. Rybalsky (1983) refers to them “real sensations, usually monomorphic, caused by organic changes, somatic suffering, but not quite familiar, causing an increased reaction of the patient in the form of anxiety, fear and not accompanied by a thought disorder.” The second group of senestopathies by M.I. Rybalsky is “illusory senestopathies”, i.e. “perverted real sensations … with a significant involvement of the thought process up to the formation of obsessive and overvalued ideas.”

In these definitions, the author combines two things: real sensations of somatic suffering and disturbances in the perception of these sensations. He calls real or hallucinatory senestopathies fanciful, usually polymorphic, sensations that do not have an organic basis and external causes, accompanied by impaired thinking. M.I. Rybalsky points out the important fact that patients with simple and especially illusory senestopathies may misperceive real sensations, including those arising from somatic illness. But this is a separate question, not entirely clear, by the way. The author, we note, does not directly state anywhere that erroneously realized normal sensations can also be senestopathies.

The essence of the problem of cenestopathy is, we believe, to find the right answer to the following three questions:

1. Whether senestopathies are normal perceptions of ordinary or abnormal sensations in one way or another;
2. Do they represent a painful perception of real, real sensations, including those characteristic of somatic pathology;
3. Are they imaginary painful sensations?

If it turns out, let’s assume that the correct answer to the third question is in the affirmative, then in fact this means that genuine senestopathies are a hallucination of sensation, that is, exclusively a symptom of the pathology of self-perception. If they represent a distorted perception of real sensations, then they should be considered as a receptive illusion, the main thing in which is again the pathology of self-perception. In the same case, if the perception of sensations in itself is not disturbed, then it should then be recognized that senestopathies are only abnormal sensations and nothing else, they are, therefore, a consequence of the pathology of the organ of sensitivity itself.

The last answer would probably mean only one thing, namely: senestopathy is a symptom of an organic, local damage to receptors, sensory conductors, the thalamus, or cortical zones of sensitivity. Neurological pathology has no such precedents, as is known. The second answer could mean that patients with senestopathies are characterized by both a violation of the awareness of real sensations and a pathology of the formation of sensations. There is currently no evidence that such a form of pathology exists. In other words, so far there are no facts that indicate that patients with senestopathies experience loss of sensitivity, and the vacant place is occupied by senestopathies. One thing remains: senestopathy is an imaginary feeling of somatic distress.

In other words, such patients simultaneously have two streams of sensations that do not merge anywhere: one is ordinary, normal, including those caused by somatic pathology, the other is pathological, imaginary. This is the same situation as in hallucinations, when patients correctly perceive real things and at the same time produce imaginary visual images. But the main thing is that, regardless of whether we are dealing with receptive illusions or hallucinations, the essence of the violation comes down to one thing – the pathology of self-perception.

Let us describe some types of simple senestopathies, assuming that their number can be significantly increased.

Algic senestopathies, or senestoalgias – imaginary pain sensations. Earlier it was mentioned about the existence of various phenomena of hyperalgesia, which have little in common with senestopathies. The following illustrations reflect the difference between senestoalgia and hyperalgesia and real pains: “The heart hurts, aches, squeezes, expands, it seems to be about to burst . .. It hurts behind the sternum, somewhere in the depths, the pain is tearing, restless, groaning, impossible . It gives like a sledgehammer, and then the whole body groans … Incredible aching in the head … Wild pains inside the head, I seem to go crazy … The pain in my heart is cracking, breaking … The pain in my head is a stake … Pain in the chest, as if it had been pierced with something … The heart hurts, squeezing, flattening … Walking pains in the chest … The whole body hurts, there is no living place, then it hurts in one place, presses, squeezes, then in another, the whole body is sorted out … The head hurts in different parts, it moves here and there … It presses, it hurts in the side, as if squeezing something out from there … For three years it hurts in the back, it gnaws, it gnaws next to the vertebrae.

The fact that these are senestoalgias is convinced by such signs. Senestoalgia, firstly, is distinguished by an incredible variety of shades of pain. These pains are drilling, breaking, gnawing, groaning, pressing, cutting, shooting, itching, twisting, twisting, cracking, breaking, bursting, tearing, crazy, wild, breaking and many others. etc. At the same time, such polymorphic pains often occur in the same patient. Pains, secondly, can be persistent, stubborn, localized in one place for many years, or they seem to move, “wander”, “walk”, “shimmer” from place to place. Thirdly, often the pains have a shade of synesthesia – “groaning pain”, “cracking pain”, etc. Fourthly, senestoalgias clearly show a tendency to develop into more complex senestopathies – the heart “flattens”, the pain – something is “squeezed out”, etc. Quite often, fifthly, along with senestoalgias, very strange, elaborate senestopathies are revealed.

And, finally, a tendency to unusual localization of senestoalgia is often revealed – pain “inside the head, near the spine”, etc. The final judgment about the fact of senesthopathy can be made only after a thorough somatic examination. Usually the latter does not reveal any pathology, or, which happens especially often, the identified pathology and senestoalgia do not have a causal relationship with each other, although, and this should be noted, there are often cases where the localization of senestopathies is tied to foci of any physical damage in past. Often there are considerable difficulties in distinguishing between the complaints of patients with senestoalgia and the physical complaints of hysterical patients. The main distinguishing feature, perhaps, is that in the complaints of hysterics there is too much indefinite, not amenable to analysis, such, in particular, as just given. Tantrums, in addition, complain “easily”, they do not show that they suffered greatly from pain.

Thermal senestopathies – imaginary sensations of burning and, less often, cold: “Burning of the soles… How it burns between the shoulder blades… The whole body burns, as if scalded with boiling water… The whole body burns with fire, but inside it is cold. .. The cheek seems to freeze over … The lower back burns as if they had been whipped with nettles … The forehead burns as if on fire … The heels freeze. Descriptions of patients with senestothermia differ from those of dystermesthesia in that senestopathies occur autochthonously, outside and independently of thermal stimulation.

There are other disorders that must be distinguished from thermal senestopathies. This is, for example, the syndrome of paroxysmal hypothermia described in neurotics (Polzien, 1962). The disorder is manifested by episodically occurring states with a decrease in body temperature by 0.7–1.3 ° C. Patients experience a sensation of heat. At the same time, hyperhidrosis, tachycardia, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, a sense of fear for health occur. A painful episode after a few hours ends with a feeling of coldness in the body or chills, as well as weakness.

Senestopathies in the form of paresthesias or senestoparesthesias are experienced by patients as sensations of crawling, tickling, itching, tingling, electrification, numbness: “Goosebumps in the groin, they rise from below, then blur in different directions . .. Itching in the legs below the knees … Tickling on the head… The hands are numb and poking with needles… Pinching in the tongue… The skin seems to be electrified… Tingling in the legs, as if piercing through.”

Simple senestopathies, at first predominantly static, subsequently become mobile, as if migrating: “Burning spreads around, appears in different places … Pains walking, floating, wandering … Walking pains in the chest. Goosebumps rise from the sacrum to the back of the head. At the same time, a tendency to more and more unusual localization is revealed: “Pain in patches on the head … Skin hurts … Pain inside the head … Pain in the bones … Spinal pain … Superficial burning in the skin of the forearm … Pinching around eye”. In addition, there is a tendency to change the projection of sensations: “Numbness somewhere inside in the arms and legs … It tingles somewhere in the depths … The pain in the head is acute, it pierces like an awl.”

Psychosensory senestopathies

Psychosensory senestopathies – imaginary painful sensations with clearly expressed spatial characteristics, i. e. with signs of volume, dimension, direction of movement: “In the chest it swells, expands, increases, stretches … Something comes out of the back of the head out. The head is pressed from the inside … The head is bursting from the inside, it seems to burst … It hurts in the head, and something turns over in the temples … It is as if a knot is tied in the stomach … The veins are pulled, twisted … Something inside it twists, folds, shrinks, gathers into folds … Presses on the forehead from the inside out … In the head, as if something rotates, spins … Presses on the head from the outside towards the center … The pain is oblique, goes to the left and up”. Simultaneously with senestopathies, patients often have episodic symptoms of autometamorphopsia: “Pain in the joints, twisting them in the other direction … Squeezing the head, and feeling that it is decreasing in size … Bursting in the chest, and the chest rises … Stretching pain in the legs, the legs seem to be stretched out . .. It pulls the skin of the face, the nose seems to be pointed. Violations of the body scheme itself, not associated with senestopathies, can also be detected. Symptoms of allometamorphopsia are much less common.

Hermeneutic senestopathies — imaginary painful sensations, accompanied by various interpretations regarding their topic and causes of development. Often these interpretations come to the fore, so that the actual sensations remain in the descriptions of patients, as it were, in the shadows. Interpretations of patients are very reminiscent of delusions of hypochondriacal content and ideas of dysmorphomania. Depending on the emphasis in this interpretation, the following senestopathies can be identified.

Organotopic senestopathies – pathological sensations that are localized by patients in some organs: “Pain inside the orbits … The eardrum vibrates … The vessel in the head itches … Under the skull, the vessels pulsate . .. The vessel under the skin breaks .. By evening, the eyelids begin to hurt… The inner plate of the frontal bone hurts… Burning in the pericardium and at the top of the heart… Pain in the three thoracic vertebrae… Pain along the ureter… Top of the left lung freezes… Pain on the base of the skull between the hemispheres … Pain in the walls of the stomach … The surface of the cerebral hemispheres tingles and goes numb … The cerebellum burns.

Associated senestopathies and – pathological sensations that patients combine into a kind of structure: “Pain from the arm goes up in a line, hits the back of the head, then compresses the heart, and then diverges in the abdomen in different directions … Pain from the sternum moves to the tonsils, from there goes to the heart, and from the heart rises to the head … Pain from the legs stretches up two lines along the back, passes to the neck, where it ends with two blurry points … Numbness of the lower leg turns into a sensation of pain at a point on thigh, then the inguinal arteries begin to hurt, and then the pain becomes subconscious . .. The central nervous system sends an impulse to the stomach, the stomach contracts, the shocks are given to the groin, from the groin through the vein they pass to the leg, and then to the big toe of the left foot, from where they return back, in the groin. It turns out a vicious circle that must be broken, and then I will be healthy. To break the connection between the thumb and the central vein through which the finger affects the groin, the thumb must be removed. With this request, I have repeatedly turned to the surgeon.

Delusional senestopathies – pathological sensations with imaginary causal connections established by patients: “Blood does not enter the rectum … Vessels burst … Vessels are thrombosed and the brain does not receive nutrition … The brain lacks oxygen due to lung disease … The veins in the head swell, the outflow of blood is disturbed … The blood flow is slowed down, therefore it freezes, shivering and metabolism is disturbed . .. Dull pain in the heart due to relaxation of the heart muscle … Pain in the cerebral cortex of an inflammatory type. These formulations of patients arise, most likely, from misunderstood explanations of doctors, read medical literature, sometimes they are borrowed from other patients, which patients subsequently forget and pass off as their own.

Hallucinatory senestopathies are characterized by the presence of distinct discriminatory elements in the sensations of interoception, which makes senestopathies somewhat similar to various perceptual deceptions.

Geometric senestopathies are described by patients as having a certain shape, flat or voluminous: “Burning on the back in the form of a triangle … Pain in the form of a flat circle … Headaches of the grid type – it hurts along the perimeter of the cells, but there is no pain in the middle of them … Burning in the side like an elongated oval… Pain at a point under the skin of the back of the head… Pain from the point radiates in different directions. .. Pain from the fingers goes up to the shoulder along two parallel lines… Stripes of cold in the frame heat … Burning in the form of stars … Headache in the form of a triangle convex upward … Pain in the center of the head in the form of a luminous point … The skull hurts along the line under the ears – even chop it off in this place … The pain slips zigzags like lightning … A circle the size of a two-kopeck coin freezes … Points under the nails of the index fingers hurt … Ball-shaped pain … The pain rises in bubbles from the bottom up.

Senestopathies with the nature of tactile hallucinations: “It’s as if a hat is on the head … My head hurts, it’s like being squeezed by a fire helmet … It burns the skin as if mustard plaster had stuck or a red-hot iron was applied … It hit my head like a stick … The head is freezing, as if blown by a cold wind … It seems that the crumbs stuck to the throat … Feeling as if someone is pulling the hair … It’s like a cigarette stuck to the lip . .. As if water is flowing on the skin … All over the body, as if droplets of sweat came out … As if someone tickles.

Often, imaginary tactile and other external sensations are projected onto the area of ​​interoception: “It tickles in the head, as if with a runny nose or allergies … Numbness in the head … Tickling in the chest … Itches, itches in the head … The intestines seem to sort out someone with hairy hands… Burning inside the head… Hot blood spills in the stomach… Something crawls in the head… Pain in the heart like from a dagger, the end of which sticks out under the shoulder blade, and I want to pull it out.. There is a hard lump in the chest… The head is filled with something… Pain from the heart bubbles up… Pain in the spine, as if it had been pierced by a tube with a diameter of 5-6 mm. Senestopathies of this type are very reminiscent of visceral hallucinations.

Senestopathies with the nature of hallucinations of transformation: “The brain is like a jelly-like mass. .. The brain seems to be liquid and gurgles… The brain is squeezed into a ball… The brains are moving… The brain seems hot and small… The heart seems to be divided into parts. .. How the muscles are stratified… The heart seemed to come off and fell down… The brain seemed to separate from the skull and dangle in it.

Senestopathies with the nature of kinesthetic hallucinations: “It is as if the legs are pulled up to the body … It brings the arms, legs, mouth together, the head seems to be thrown back up … The lips are pulled inward … The head seems to be swaying back and forth … It feels like my eyes begin to squint to the side … There is such tension in my hands, as if I am holding a heavy load.

Sometimes hallucinatory senestopathies are supplemented by acoustic, gustatory, olfactory or visual elementary hallucinations of the imagination: “The brain is precisely separated from the membranes – you can hear how they come apart … Something squelches in my head, I hear it . .. Pain stretches along the threads and I can hear them rattling… Something sickly sweet is spinning in my head… Inside everything burns, burns, I feel the smell of burnt… It hit my head, the pain flew from left to right and flashed like during a thunderstorm ” . At the same time, fragmentary perceptual delusions that are not associated with senestopathies are revealed in most patients.

Paranoid senestopathies

Paranoid senestopathies are pathological sensations observed in the structure of the syndrome of mental automatism. Usually these are various “made”, “induced” painful sensations: “They burn the skin with rays … They act with electric current, its impulses pass through the body … They direct psi-energy to internal organs … They cause irritation in the genitals, like they rape” . Senestopathies of this type are also known as senestetic hallucinations. There are also cenestopathies with the experience of their alienation: “Burning inside, but like another person, not me. ” There are senestopathies with the experience of transitivism: “It hurts not only me, other people too.”

Paraphrenic senestopathies

Paraphrenic senestopathies are pathological sensations of fantastic content, with the experience of incredible changes in internal organs and parts of the body: “They suck out the brains … Replace the bones … They take away my internal organs, insert mechanisms in their place.”

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Mysterious drops of water falling on you from an invisible and incomprehensible source

“It happened one day when I was sitting on the sofa. It was a small pinkish drop. I still don’t know where it came from. Everything what I know is that my cat was absolutely scared of the basement in this house”

A Reddit user wrote a post saying that drops of moisture repeatedly fell on him from somewhere above indoors and outdoors and he could not find a logical source of this moisture.

In response to this post, he received a lot of comments from people who experienced similar things.

Some users indicated that in outdoor cases it could be bird urine, but others reasonably noted that birds do not produce separate urine, their waste is mixed and excreted through one hole in the form of white liquid droppings, which is not at all like on transparent drops of water.

One user suggested that it was water molecules that condensed in the air and formed droplets. However, this is difficult to sum up for cases inside the house, since the microclimate inside small rooms, where there is no high humidity, is usually insufficient to create concentrated water droplets.

Another user discovered that mysterious water drops falling from above from an invisible or incomprehensible source are actually not the first time seen on the net, there are at least a few videos on Youtube about this, where the phenomenon is called phantom water drops (Phantom Water Drops).

“Throughout my life I have experienced strange phenomena where a single drop of water hits my face (sometimes on my arm/shoulder) when I am inside the house, or when going outside, and it was not raining or

These drops always leave a wet spot, so I know it’s not just some kind of tactile error. water

By the way, I also regularly experience other weird things like intense déjà vu, synchronicity, and UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena). Has anyone else experienced this?”

Some have written that they mostly experienced it as a child and much less frequently as an adult. Generally, people agreed that these mysterious drops most often fall on the face, hands and sometimes on the neck.

“Yes, it definitely happened to me and I would never have thought to write about it here. Sometimes they appear just randomly, usually just one or two, but sometimes up to a dozen. When it happens outside, I usually attribute it to the occasional splash from the rain or a passing bird, but when it happens indoors, I can safely rule out rain, birds, or someone spitting. It’s unexplainable. I call it “unexplained dripping objects” (UDO)”.0005

“I’ve never experienced it, but my daughter has spoken about it at least twice. And I’m pretty sure she was either in the car or in the house both times, so it couldn’t have been rain. ”

“Wow – no one ever talked about it. It happened to me twice in my life and both times it hit my forehead and there was no leak anywhere. Very strange!”

“It happened one day when I was sitting on the couch. It was a small blob of pinkish color. I still don’t know where it came from. All I know is that my cat was absolutely scared of the basement in this house and stood guard at the top of the stairs, rising from the cellar.”

“Almost always they fall on my nose. And it always scares me. Once it happened even when my face was turned down and somehow a drop of water fell on my nose. Maybe we all really are in some kind of coma and they are trying to throw water in our faces to wake us up… (just kidding).”

“This happens to me regularly at least once a week. Crazy feeling.”

“Yes, I’ve experienced that! And not only do I feel dripping drops on my skin (what could be a neurological phenomenon?), but I also hear them randomly. Sometimes I’ve even noticed the sound of dripping drops on audio recordings. ”

“Yes, I feel this all the time when I’m indoors.”

“Same. I was sitting in my living room one day and felt one drop hit my hand. Since then I have regularly checked the ceiling for water leaks, but it has always been the usual dry, cracked surface. I have also experienced this on there was no rain at the time.”

“I saw something similar, but not exactly. About three weeks ago, I was walking home and I passed by a church surrounded by a terribly ugly parking lot, which is always full of puddles. The weather was overcast, but it did not rain. And I passed two separate puddles that are about one meter apart, and in one of them a ton of drops of water suddenly fell from above, as if rain had fallen right over this puddle.I looked at all the other puddles, and none of them was”.

“Wow. This just started happening to me this year. But always outside. It happened maybe three or four times. Last time I started to wonder what exactly was going on. I have no idea. My thoughts are “It’s either an insect or a bird dropping something. I live in North Texas and we have tons of cicadas in the trees. I’m not sure if they can release any liquid, but I thought maybe it’s the case in that?”

“It happened to me. Rarely these days, but 15 years ago it happened indoors all the time. A couple of times lately. I keep wanting to collect some of these drops for analysis, but I was never ready for it. I think you you have to keep a small sealed container in your pocket. Will it be saline? What are the contaminants in it? The problem is that you scrape it off your contaminated skin.”

“I had this strange experience when I was talking to my brother and all of a sudden a jet of water gushed from the ceiling, as if from an open faucet, and instead of splashing on the floor, it just disappeared. There was nowhere for him to go and nowhere to go.” was to go. The water just appeared and disappeared before our eyes.”

“I myself have experienced this many times. Especially after the loss of a loved one, so I always wondered if it was a spiritual thing, as it seemed to be due to hypersensitivity to the supernatural. My strongest memory of this incident was a few years back when I was sitting on the couch and felt a heavy drop of water hit the top of my head and slowly felt its coolness on my scalp through my thick hair. No water was found anywhere.”

“This happens to me a few times a year. The strangest thing was when I was in bed and a drop of water fell on my nose and left a wet, damp stain. One story house, no leak above me. SO STRANGE. Glad that I’m not the only one. I have no idea what it is.”

“Yes, it happened to me twice. I have no idea what caused it, but it wasn’t sweat or rain. The first one was many years ago, the last one was last month, on my birthday. I saw it, when a drop fell on my right hand I didn’t want to but had to taste it to make sure it wasn’t my sweat even though I wasn’t sweating It wasn’t salty I don’t know why it happened The second time it was was when I thought about my father, who died last December.