What is it called in psychology when someone mixes up their senses?

Question

I read this a long time ago when I was researching schizophrenia and delusional disorders and now I cannot find the name for it any where. From what I remember of the condition is like when a person hears something and then gets a certain taste in their mouth. Or when they associate colors with numbers or something like that. I think it can be any mix of the senses though. Basically when your senses are confused :-) Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

Synesthesia

Techically defined as when one sensory/cognitive pathway leads to automatic and involuntary in another sensory/cognitive pathway. The word means "with sensation" in ancient greek, roughly. It's usually neurologically based (and not, in itself, a disorder as it is notg dehabilitating or distressing and actually those who have it often enjoy it immensely). It is also not a common symptom of schizophrenia or delusions; although some drugs can create a similar but short-term effect.

Yes, it can be any mix of sense. Even words or numbers (grapheme) can evoke colour/taste. Grapheme-colour (letters/numbers/words) is the most common.