Despite there being no known straightforward medical test for schizophrenia, experts say this optical illusion can detect if you have the serious mental health condition. The earlier it is identified the quicker it can be treated.
Figures show 685,000 Brits are plagued by the condition. Now, scientists in Germany say the 'hollow mask' video can help decipher if you are a sufferer of the disorder, reports Derbyshire Live.
The odd clip features a white face mask rotating in mid-air, with the majority of viewers appearing to see the hollow part at the back rotating the opposite way. The nose seems to point outwards but is actually pointing in, with experts saying those with schizophrenia won't be fooled by the illusion.
However, the rest of us will be - as when aware of the illusion, you will still be unlikely to make out the back of the mask. The reason behind it is that it has been designed to target the way the brain processes visuals.
This is because the human brain draws on its own lived experience to conclude faces are convex - or point outward - so we process the image in a way that makes sense - our own expectation is so powerful we simply can't override it.
Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental health condition that causes a range of psychological symptoms, including hallucinations - hearing or seeing things that do not exist outside of the mind - delusions, muddled thoughts, disinterest in everyday activities, withdrawing from people and social isolation.
Doctors often describe the illness as a type of psychosis, which means a person may not always be distinguish their own thoughts and ideas from reality.
Danai Dima of Hannover Medical University said in Journal NeuroImage: "Our top-down processing holds memories, like stock models, - all the models in our head have a face coming out, so whenever we see a face, of course, if has to come out."
Those who have schizophrenia are said to be able to see the hollow side of the face because the sensory and conceptual parts of their brains process things differently. Additionally, if you are drunk or high you can also supposedly beat the illusion.
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