Do you feel the touch when you see someone touching you? (Mirror-Touch Synesthesia) Let's talk about it!

Imagine you're watching a movie on TV. Suddenly, someone taps the main character on the right shoulder. At the same time, you feel as if someone has tapped your left shoulder. But there's no one around you. Or, when you see someone hugging someone, do you also feel that warm embrace? If you've had experiences like this, you have a very special, and perhaps a little strange, brain activity. This is what we're talking about today.

Simply put, what is Mirror-Touch Synesthesia?

Mirror-touch synesthesia is when you see someone else touch you and feel the same touch on your body. This is a very strange thing. Normally, our senses work differently. We see with our eyes and feel with our skin. But in a condition called synesthesia, when one sense is stimulated (e.g., seeing with our eyes), another unrelated sense (e.g., touching our skin) is activated at the same time. It's as if the 'wires' inside our brains are intertwined.

For some people, this experience is very comforting. They feel the same comfort when they see someone being hugged. But for others, this can be very disturbing and frightening. Imagine, if you saw someone get into an accident and get injured, you felt the same pain? It would be difficult to bear, wouldn't it? This situation may occur occasionally for some, while for others, it may have to be experienced repeatedly throughout the day.

There are two main types of this.

Researchers have found that there are two main types of touch, depending on where you feel it. See the table below to understand this.

Why does this happen to us? What happens inside the brain?

Researchers have not yet found a definitive cause for this, but they believe it is caused by the overactivity of several specialized cell systems in our brains.

Simply put, when we see someone touching someone, several parts of our brain become activated.

• Mirror neurons: These are a very special type of brain cell. Their job is to prepare our brain to imitate an action we see. Like when we see someone smile, we smile too.
• Somatosensory cortex: This is the main center in our brain that processes the sensation of touch. Normally, this part only activates when someone touches us. However, in people with mirror-touch synesthesia, this part activates even when they see someone else touch them.
• Anterior insula: This part of the brain processes our emotions and helps us understand the emotions of others.

Some research suggests that this condition may be caused by genetic factors, and that it may also be caused by an injury to the brain or certain medications.

Is there a connection between this and 'empathy'?

This is a very important question. Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of another person and to think from their perspective. We say "putting ourselves in someone else's shoes," that's what it means.

Mirror-touch synesthesia and empathy are very similar. Both involve feeling what the other person is feeling. But there is a slight difference.

• Mirror-touch synesthesia: This is where physical touch is felt.
• Empathy: This is where the emotional feeling is felt.

Research has found that people with mirror-touch synesthesia may have a higher level of empathy, or the ability to feel the pain and happiness of others, than others. However, this is still being researched.

Does this condition require treatment?

In most cases, if this condition does not interfere with your daily life, you will not need any treatment. Some people enjoy this experience. However, if it causes you to feel depressed, anxious, or afraid to go out in public, it is very important to talk to a doctor about it.

Your doctor may recommend things like:

• Therapy: You may find help with therapies, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. A psychiatrist or counselor can help you distinguish between your own feelings and those of others.
• Medications: If you are experiencing extreme anxiety or depression due to this condition, your doctor may prescribe medication to control those symptoms.

When should I see a doctor?

Be aware of these things. If any of these apply to you, definitely talk to a doctor.

• If this condition makes it difficult for you to carry out your daily activities . For example, if you are afraid to go to crowded places, if you cannot go out with your family.
• You feel pain , not just a touch. This is called mirror-pain synesthesia. This means that when you see someone else get hurt, you feel the same pain. This is a condition that should definitely be seen by a doctor.
• If this makes you feel stressed, anxious, or socially isolated .

This is not something you have imagined. This is something that really happens, something that has to do with brain function. This experience can be healing at times, and it can feel like suffocation at times. There is no right or wrong response to it. The important thing is, if this is bothering you, don't be afraid to ask for help.

Mirror-Touch Synesthesia, synesthesia, brain function, nervous system, sympathy, empathy, feelings, mental health