Hallucinations
Introduction
Source: NHS
In this topic (5)
Hallucinations are where someone sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels things that don't exist outside their mind.
They're common in people with Schizophrenia , and are usually experienced as hearing voices.
Hallucinationscan befrightening, but there's usually an identifiable cause. For example, they can occuras a result of:
- taking illegal drugs or alcohol
- a mental illness, such as schizophrenia or dementia
- a progressive neurological condition, such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease
- loss of vision caused by a condition such as macular degeneration this is known as Charles Bonnet syndrome
See your GP straight away if you're experiencing hallucinations and you're worried about them.
Hallucinations can make you feel nervous, paranoid and frightened, soit's important to be with someone you can trust.
The following information explains the typical types of hallucinations, including why they occur and what you can do. It covers:
- hearing voices
- drug-induced hallucinations
- hallucinationsand sleep
- hallucinations in children with a fever
- Charles Bonnet syndrome
- hallucinations in older people with delirium
Hallucinations can also occur as a result of extreme tiredness or recent bereavement . However, these and otherrarer causes aren't covered here.
Articles for Hallucinations
Drug-induced hallucinations
Illegal drugs and alcohol People can experience hallucinations when they're high on illegal drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, LSD or ecstasy. They can also occur during withdrawal from alcohol or
Hallucinations and sleep
It's relatively common for people to experience hallucinations just as they're falling asleep (hypnagogic), or as they start to wake up (hypnopompic). The hallucination may take the form of sounds, o
Hallucinations in children with a fever
Hallucinations can sometimes occur in children who are ill with a fever. Call your GP if your child is unwell with a body temperature of over 37.5C (99.5F) and you think they're hallucinating. In the
Hearing voices
Hearing voices in the mind is the most common type of hallucination in people with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia. The voices can be critical, complimentary or neutral, and may make po
Introduction
Read about hallucinations, including the possible causes and practical advice about what to do if you experience them.
