Title: Exploring the Link Between Schizophrenia and the Colour Purple: Unravelling the Mysterious Connection (2024)

Introduction

Schizophrenia has long been associated with a variety of images and concepts. This challenging mental illness is distinguished by a distorted sense of reality and weakened cognitive function. In popular culture, the arts, and even in scientific debate, purple has long been linked to schizophrenia. Despite the initially puzzling nature of this correlation, the intriguing relationship between this confusing disorder and the hue purple can be discovered by investigating the possible causes of it.

Meaningful Symbols and Cultural Attitudes

Colours have had symbolic connotations for a very long time thanks to various civilizations and situations. There is a long tradition of metaphorical meaning for purple in particular. It has a long history of being associated with spirituality, grandeur, and mysticism. Due to its high cost and limited availability, purple dye was considered a luxury dye in ancient times. Purple, being a rare colour, radiated majesty and mystery.

Associations with psychology

According to colour psychology, specific colours can trigger a range of associations and feelings. Purple colour typically associated with originality, meditation, and profound thought. It’s a colour that may resemble some of the cognitive and perceptual traits of schizophrenia and that can simultaneously promote imagination and introspection. The condition is characterised by cognitive disruptions, sensory disturbances, and a heightened internal world.

Synesthesia’s Cross-Sensory Associations

Another explanation for the connection between schizophrenia and the colour purple is provided by the phenomenon of synesthesia. Synesthesia is a situation where stimulation in one circuit mistakenly causes experiences in another sensory or cognitive route. Some synesthetes assert that they can relate specific numbers, letters, or sounds to specific hues. Given that synesthesia has been proven to be more prevalent in people with schizophrenia, it is conceivable that some individuals with the illness may associate the colour purple with perception or sensation.

Scientific Restrictions and a Wide Range of Experiences

It’s important to note that the evidence for a connection between purple and schizophrenia is not particularly strong. Because schizophrenia is a complex condition with numerous underlying causes, no single colour or symbol can fully capture all of its complexities. In addition, not everyone who has schizophrenia may associate their condition with the colour purple. Sufferers of schizophrenia may also report a range of experiences.

Conclusion

Despite the lack of a definitive scientific explanation, the symbolism, cultural associations, psychological connections, and creative representations of the association between schizophrenia and the colour purple are noteworthy. The symbolism attached to the colour purple and the intricate and obscure nature of schizophrenia are in some ways complimentary. However, it is important to proceed with caution when establishing this association because schizophrenia comprises a vast range of experiences and cannot be summarised by a single colour. More study is necessary to completely appreciate the condition and its complex relationship with several symbols and meanings, such as the hue purple.

This was written & shared as part of my internship at KRSH Welfare Foundation.