Wow, HL - your description was amazing and really resonated with me. All of my perceptions are *completely* off when I'm in an episode, though again you put it so eloquently. One of the strongest things that are warped (and in overdrive) for me are my memories (virtually all memories), which has always been tough to deal with since, outside of depressive episodes, I've had a very happy, full life (i.e., no abuse, childhood traumas, etc.). It's so strange, because I'm always able to look back fondly on (almost) all of my memories when I'm not in the "other" dimension.

PS This is my very first post here so please correct any... missteps.