Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Mistaking objects for people (self.Blind)
submitted by kelpangler
Does anyone mistake objects for people due to your vision loss? I have enough vision left to see general objects but of course everything is blurred. In addition I have problems with depth perception, color deficiency, and light/dark perception.
Because of this I sometimes think I see a person out of the shape of an object (or multiple objects). For example, if I’m walking down the sidewalk I might mistake a fire hydrant, a telephone pole, and a bush for a person. It could be just a momentary glance, the way they’re lined up, their shading, etc.
Is there a specific term for this? I found something called pareidolia which seems to be about seeing faces in everyday objects, but that’s not quite what I’m experiencing. It’s like my brain is willing my eyes to see people. But as I get closer I realize it’s something else.
I also found something called Charles Bonnet syndrome which is seeing hallucinations of people but I’m pretty sure that’s not this.
Is there a term for what I’m experiencing?
Because of this I sometimes think I see a person out of the shape of an object (or multiple objects). For example, if I’m walking down the sidewalk I might mistake a fire hydrant, a telephone pole, and a bush for a person. It could be just a momentary glance, the way they’re lined up, their shading, etc.
Is there a specific term for this? I found something called pareidolia which seems to be about seeing faces in everyday objects, but that’s not quite what I’m experiencing. It’s like my brain is willing my eyes to see people. But as I get closer I realize it’s something else.
I also found something called Charles Bonnet syndrome which is seeing hallucinations of people but I’m pretty sure that’s not this.
Is there a term for what I’m experiencing?
KillerLag 6 points 2y ago
Charles Bonnet syndrome is something different.
I don't think there is a specific medical term for that. It is common for people to mistake things for other things when people have enough vision loss. For example, shadows can make it look like there is something on the floor.
I don't think there is a specific medical term for that. It is common for people to mistake things for other things when people have enough vision loss. For example, shadows can make it look like there is something on the floor.
retrolental_morose 3 points 2y ago
we're designed to find patterns in things I think, as an evolutionary sort of thing.
I asked a horse for directions once, but I have no sight and just heard some breathing...
I asked a horse for directions once, but I have no sight and just heard some breathing...
tahtihaka 2 points 2y ago
This is accurate, we're particularly biased toward seeing human figure, especially face, in practically everything.
Answer to the OP's question, yes I do, and sometimes I mistake people for objects, too.
Answer to the OP's question, yes I do, and sometimes I mistake people for objects, too.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
I’ve done that before or just talked to a wall.
dunktheball 5 points 2y ago
I've thought objects were people before when walking outside. I think I even said excuse me to a sign before or something. haha. And I'm not close to totally blind, am legally blind, though, and that is tough enough to tell who or what something is from any distance at all sometimes.
BlindFuryC 3 points 2y ago
I get this. More often when brushing up against an inanimate object and apologising to it because you mistake it for a person, hey maybe objects have feelings too!
I’m not sure there’s a term per se, but I agree it’s probably our brain trying to find useful patterns with limited info.
I’m not sure there’s a term per se, but I agree it’s probably our brain trying to find useful patterns with limited info.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
I am totally blind and occasionally have this happen oh the humor when you appologize to a fire hydrant. Haha!
kelpangler [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yes! I said excuse me to a trash bin while walking around the block. Also, I’ve given an electrical box a wide berth and what’s funny is that it’s on a frequent path that I take.
noaimpara 2 points 2y ago
Fuck yes this happens all the time. And repeatedly to! Like on my way to uni there’s this street sign or whatever it is, I can’t really identify what it is, and whenever I pass by I’m like,, is that,, is that,, a person taking a shit on the ground? But it never is. It’s always that damn mysterious inanimate object.
blackberrybunny 2 points 2y ago
Legally blind here. I have a memory of the first time it happened to me, when it was so embarrassing to me at the time. I was 19 or so. I was walking with my friend, between some apartment buildings, when I saw a white object and started bending down, saying, "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty" with all seriousness. The white cat didn't move. My friend burst out in loud hysterical laughter, and I was like, "What?! What's so funny?" I realized the white "cat" was just a really large white PVC pipe sticking about one foot out of the ground. I couldn't help then but laugh at myself. And this kind of thing has happened to me quite a lot in my 52 years....
I once walked my face smack into the bucket hanging off of the back of a bucket truck. The truck was parked, and the bucket and boom were down, in their nestled correct position. My white cane couldn't alert me to the danger. Nearly knocked myself out!
I think the term for what we are experiencing when we think we see another human, animal, or object, and it's not what we thought, it simply: Blindness.
I once walked my face smack into the bucket hanging off of the back of a bucket truck. The truck was parked, and the bucket and boom were down, in their nestled correct position. My white cane couldn't alert me to the danger. Nearly knocked myself out!
I think the term for what we are experiencing when we think we see another human, animal, or object, and it's not what we thought, it simply: Blindness.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
[deleted]
awesomesaucesaywhat 1 points 2y ago
Fucking mannequins
jenncork 1 points 2y ago
When I walk our dog (not a guide dog - regular, pet dog who likes to jump on people), I'm always hyper-aware of people approaching. And for the first few months we lived in our current place, I had to take mental note of the locations of several tall electrical boxes, because I kept thinking they were people.
kelpangler [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yup, electrical boxes get me too!
Mendy3273 1 points 2y ago
I've apologized to mannequins, my reflection, and displays. It always makes me laugh when I realize my mistake.
brimstone_tea 1 points 2y ago
Happens all the time - pairs GREAT with my PTSD :D
kelpangler [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Sounds scary. Do you mind sharing the outcome of such a mix?
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