“How’s your nervous system handling that JPG?”

Mar 31, 2025 | SOT Resources | 0 comments

While most viewers report calming, focusing, or energizing effects, certain individuals—especially those with specific neurological or psychiatric profiles—may experience unwanted or destabilizing reactions. Given that SOTs can be designed with varying parameters, we must anticipate that not all SOTs in the future are universally safe.

Based on Harati’s experiential and clinical understanding of neurotypes, both adults and children, and each one’s susceptibility to illusory visuals (even though it’s a static JPEG image) and potential risk, we have compiled a non-exhaustive mitigatory design guide for future creators to create SOTs mindfully. We will append/edit this as we progress.

Saba Harati is a clinical psychologist with a Master of Clinical Psychology (UOC) and MEd (Guidance and Counselling)(USM) and five years of clinical psych assessments and therapy administration with diverse clientele.

Neurotype / Condition

Potential Risk

Notes & Suggested Mitigation (For designers/administrators)

Schizophrenia / Schizoaffective

May amplify delusional ideation, reference hallucinations, or pattern paranoia

Avoid layered illusions with faces, motion, or perceived codes; always introduce in safe, grounded, therapist-supported settings

OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

Repetitive visuals may trigger counting, checking, or scanning compulsions

Use minimal, asymmetrical, or softly-structured SOTs; offer context that there is no “solution”

Delusional Disorders

SOTs may be interpreted as containing hidden messages or surveillance cues

Avoid illusions with strong symmetry, “portal” metaphors, or exclusive/in-group framing

Epilepsy (Photosensitive)

Rapid flickering or high-contrast motion patterns may trigger seizures

Do not use flashing SOTs; test any new illusion in controlled environments with prior screening

Autism (ASD)

May overwhelm sensory integration or provoke intense focus/fixation

Use slow, gentle transitions and regulate exposure time; allow user to self-pace

PTSD / Trauma

Certain visuals may unexpectedly activate fear memories or dissociation

Introduce in trauma-informed environments with clear grounding text and support options

You feel too much because you are too much, in the way that rare things are too much.

Update soon, friends. Remember… breathe with a smile. Just because you can.

 

 

 

 

    A simple, anchoring SOT that intends not to overstimulate.

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