[MidnightWalker]

Ok I hope I got the spelling right. I was browsing about trying to find answers to all of my lifes little problems and I came across something that amazed me. I have always for some reason Associated certain letters and numbers with colours I cannot explain it I really cant I thought it was nothing. Its a bit like to me A is red B blue C yellow D is blue/red etc etc.

So I came across a description of this and it came under the category of Synaesthia, what I am wondering basically is where has this come from? Is it linked with OCD or tourettes syndrome at all? Or is it its own personal category. Also is there anything to stop the consistant thought.

Basically if someone says a letter or a date or something like the 6th of april or something like that I will have to skip through all the numbers till I find out to myself "Oh that ones orange" It sounds ridiculous I know. But I am a pretty ridiculous person lol so its a good match =) But either way it is starting to frustrate me more and more and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to kind of...stop it.

[jeNeTeConnaisPas]

i do the exact same thing but only letters and numbers. i imagine them in my head in linear fashion, and they have shades of colour in gradient.. 1 thru 10 are dark to brown, teens are blue twenties yellow..etc.

synesthesea is commonly associated with categorizing musical notes, wher the listener or composer mentally sees associated colors.

its extremely facinating. i belive its a creative way of categorizing information, much like pneumonic device.

im betting some people do it with taste and smell too.

[MidnightWalker]

Originally Posted by jeNeTeConnaisPas

i do the exact same thing but only letters and numbers. i imagine them in my head in linear fashion, and they have shades of colour in gradient.. 1 thru 10 are dark to brown, teens are blue twenties yellow..etc.

synesthesea is commonly associated with categorizing musical notes, wher the listener or composer mentally sees associated colors.

its extremely facinating. i belive its a creative way of categorizing information, much like pneumonic device.

im betting some people do it with taste and smell too.

yeah very similar i know people do it with music aswell onl association i have is if theres like a poppy sorta sound i do tend to see circles i think thats cos pop is like bubbles which are circle. and also triangles i see with crashing sorta sounds no idea why though

[(JD)]

How interesting! I am a synesthete myself.

The word synesthesia comes from two Greek words, syn (together) and aisthesis (perception). Therefore, synesthesia literally means "joined perception." Synesthesia can involve any of the senses.

Here's a good link for more basics. I don't know of any particular link to OCD though, sorry. http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/syne.html

Be well.

[MidnightWalker]

I dont like to bring up old topics but for anyone that replied if you are still worrying I found this link that u can test if you have it. I got 0.94 for a couple of the tests I done Which was numbers to colours musical instruments to colours and patterns to musical notes. Hope it helps some http://www.synesthete.org/

[Locust]

It isn't linked to OCD or tourettes, to my knowledge. It is a neurological difference that causes it I believe- cross wiring in the brain, I think. Very cool. I can imagine it is both a gift and in some cases, a curse. For example, people who have taste or scent with things might not be able to enjoy certain things because they produce nasty tastes or smells, but I don't imagine it's a problem in certain forms of synaesthesia, such as when colors are connected to letters, numbers, or music. That seems more like a gift to me. I associate certain numbers with personalities, but not to the degree it happens in synaesthesia, and I'm not sure if that's a legitimate form of it or not. I can't spell so please ignore my mistakes with the name of the....brain difference. I don't think of it as a disorder, at least not if it doesn't interfere with your life in a neg. way. Some people find it helpful.

[BNLsMOM]

Is it a problem?

I have actually done this my whole life with letters and numbers. Each letter has a color, each number has a color. Sometimes it is the same color with a different shade. Words will take on the color of the first letter usually, unless there is a stronger colored letter within the word.

I am not a musician, but if I picture notes on a staff, they have colors as well. I always thought this came from watching Sesame Street and children's shows as a child as everything is illustrated in colors. Who knows. It seems like a really wonderful thing. I have always had an easy time with writing and being creative, and I think it has something to do with how I see what I am writing or creating.

[Locust]

It sounds like you do have it from the little I know of it, since from what I hear people with this who see words as colored, usually base the color on the first letter of the word, as you say you usually do. Some people do believe it helps them create. If it isn't causing you problems, it isn't a problem. If it's helping you, it's a good thing.