a different reality

8/13/2019 A Different Reality

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Definition: Hallucinations are false or

distorted sensory experiences that appear to

be real perceptions. These sensory

impressions are generated by the mind

rather than by any external stimuli, and

may be seen, heard, felt, and even smelled

or tasted.


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Patients sufferingfrom dementia and psychotic

disorders suchas schizophrenia frequentlyexperience hallucinations.

Hallucinations can also occur inpatients who are not mentally illas a result of stress overload or

exhaustion, or may beintentionally induced through the

use of drugs, meditation, orsensory deprivation.


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Hallucinogenics such as ecstasy, mescaline and psilocybin (ormushrooms) trigger hallucinations. Other drugs such as marijuana havehallucinatory effects. Certain prescription medications may also cause

hallucinations. In addition, drug withdrawal may induce tactile and visual

hallucinations; as in an alcoholic suffering from delirium tremens (DTs)


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Prolonged or

extreme stresscan impedethought

processes and

triggerhallucinations.


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Physical and emotional exhaustion caninduce hallucinations by blurring the line

between sleep and wakefulness.


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When the brain lacks externalstimulation to form perceptions, it may

compensate by referencing the memoryand form hallucinatory perceptions. This

condition is commonly found in blindand deaf individuals.


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A hallucinatory sensationusually involving touch

called an aura, oftenappears before, and gives

warning of, a migraine. Also,auras involving smell and

touch (tactile) are known to

warn of the onset of anepileptic attack.


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Up to 75% of

schizophrenicpatients admitted

for treatment reporthallucinations.


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Lesions or injuries tothe brain may alterbrain function and

produce hallucinations.


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More than one event suggests a person should seek

evaluation. A general physician, psychologist, orpsychiatrist will try to rule out possible organic,environmental, or psychological causes through adetailed medical examination and social history. If apsychological cause such as schizophrenia issuspected, a psychologist will typically conduct an

interview with the patient and his family and administerone of several clinical inventories, or tests, to evaluatethe mental status of the patient.


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Occasionally, people who arein good mental health will

experience a hallucination. Ifhallucinations are infrequentand transitory, and can be

accounted for by short-termenvironmental factors such

as sleep deprivation ormeditation, no treatment may

be necessary. However, ifhallucinations are hampering

an individual's ability tofunction, a general physician,psychologist, or psychiatrist

should be consulted topinpoint their source and

recommend a treatment plan


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Hallucinations that are symptomatic for a mental illness such asschizophrenia should be treated by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Antipsychotic medication such as thioridazine (Mellaril),haloperidol (Haldol), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine

(Clozaril), or risperidone (Risperdal) may be prescribed.


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In many cases, chronic hallucinations caused by schizophrenia or someother mental illness can be controlled by medication. If hallucinations

persist, psychosocial therapy can be helpful in teaching the patient thecoping skills to deal with them. Hallucinations due to sleep deprivation or

extreme stress generally stop after the cause is removed.

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