Do you feel a shiver down your spine as you watch someone get a hug? Or while watching a movie, when you see someone wince in pain, you also feel the very ache yourself? This is not a script from a science fiction movie but a condition known as mirror touch synesthesia.
This unique and rare phenomenon involves ‘feeling’ another person’s movements and actions: in other words, the observer actually gets to experience the same sensations as the one being observed. So without further ado let’s know more about what is mirror touch synesthesia!
What Is Mirror Touch Synesthesia?
People who experience mirror touch synesthesia symptoms get pain, ache, or heat when they watch someone being touched on their body. For instance, those suffering from this condition can also feel a hand tapping them on the shoulder when they see somebody else being tapped on the shoulder.
It is because these individuals have very strong activity of the mirror neurons in the brain that are involved in the theory of mind and empathy.
Read more here: Maladaptive Daydreaming: 5 Warning Signs That Your Inner World Is Distracting You
Is Mirror Touch Synesthesia Real?
If you’re wondering “is mirror touch synesthesia real?” Then, yes, it does exist and is acknowledged by researchers although its occurrence is rare. This condition affects about 1.6% of the people.
In reports inclusive of those of neurologist Dr. Joel Salinas who has mirror touch synesthesia and has also studied this condition, the areas of the brain that process touch are also activated when such people observe another person touched by some object.
4 Identifying Symptoms of Mirror-Touch Synesthesia
1. Tactile Sensations
Pain, touch, or any physical attribution is accepted where the observer has witnessed any type of brutal action to another or has seen someone being touched. You may, for instance, feel someone poke you in the arm the moment you perceive that another one’s arm has been poked.
2. Hyper Empathy
People with mirror touch synesthesia can psychically feel what other people are feeling, they tend to have excessive compassion toward other people.
Sometimes this condition may lead to emotional exhaustion, especially in circumstances where there are a lot of people who are in pain or suffering.
3. Increased Social and Emotional Challenges
When empathy becomes excessive, normal social functioning becomes difficult because of the propensity to feel for others.
It is not uncommon that mirror-touch synesthetes seek to shield themselves from situations where they anticipate seeing other people in pain or suffering might affect them greatly.
4. Difficulty Differentiating Self from Others:
One of the mirror touch synesthesia symptoms is finding it hard to distinguish between their own emotions and the emotions of others. The creation of a psychosocial boundary is crucial in taking up the responsibilities of living with other members of society.
Are You Living With Mirror-Touch Synesthesia?
Living with mirror-touch synesthesia can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it is great for people who like building connections with others. People with this condition often become natural caregivers, as they can intuitively understand what others are feeling.
On the other hand, the constant barrage of sensations can be overwhelming, leading to stress, anxiety, and empathy overload.
So, if you think you might have mirror-touch synesthesia, it’s important to talk to a medical professional and understand the ways to manage the condition or minimize its impact on your daily life.
Some techniques like mindfulness and grounding exercises can help you stay connected to your own body and emotions.
Read more here: How Do Some People ‘Hear’ Colors And ‘See’ Sounds? — A Look Into Synesthesia
Share your thoughts on this rare condition. Tell your thoughts or share stories if you know someone who might relate to this!
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