Hallucinations are perceptual disturbances that cause a person to see, hear, or smell something that is not really there. Hallucinations can be caused by mental disorders, certain illnesses, or side effects of drugs.
Hallucinations can also be accompanied by delusions, namely the belief in something that does not exist or does not correspond to the actual situation. For example, a person may feel that he has power and is very close to famous people, when in reality he is not. Hallucinations accompanied by delusions are usually experienced by people with psychosis and schizophrenia.
It is important to remember, hallucinations need to be distinguished from complaints on the sensory nerves or the five senses called synesthesia.
Symptoms of Hallucinations
Symptoms of hallucinations can be distinguished by type, namely:
- Visual hallucinationsPeople with visual hallucinations will see things that are not really there. Objects seen can be people, objects, or light.
- Auditory hallucinationsPeople with auditory hallucinations will hear voices, commands, or threats that aren't really there.
- Olfactory hallucinationsSufferers of olfactory hallucinations will smell a good smell or bad smell, even though the smell is not really there.
- Taste hallucinationSufferers of this type of hallucination will taste strange tastes, such as metallic tastes, in the food or drink they consume, even though the taste is not actually there.
- Touch hallucinationsThe sufferer feels as if someone is touching or touching him, or feels like an animal is crawling on his skin, when in fact there is not.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience the symptoms of hallucinations mentioned above, especially if they occur frequently and interfere with daily activities.
Seek immediate medical attention if hallucinations prompt you to take actions that are dangerous, both to yourself and to others.
Causes of Hallucinations
The causes of hallucinations vary widely, ranging from mental disorders to physical illness. In addition, hallucinations can also occur as a side effect of drugs used to treat depression, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease.
Mental disorders
Hallucinations can be caused by a number of mental disorders below:
- Schizophrenia
- Psychosis
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression with psychotic disorders
- Delirium or dementia
- Borderline personality disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Physical illness
The following types of illnesses can cause hallucinations:
- High fever (especially in children and the elderly)
- Parkinson's disease
- Alzheimer's disease
- Brain tumor
- Migraine
- Epilepsy
- stroke
- Charles Bonnet syndrome
Condition other
Hallucinations can also be caused by the following conditions:
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Sleep disturbance
- Head injury
Hallucinations Diagnosis
The doctor will ask for complaints and medical history, medication, and the patient's family history, as well as perform a physical examination. After that, the doctor will perform additional examinations to determine the cause of the hallucinations, such as:
- Examination of blood and urine, to see the possibility of infection and alcohol and drug abuse.
- EEG (electroencephalogram), which is an examination of the electrical activity of the brain to see if the hallucinations are caused by epilepsy.
- CT scans and MRI scans, to detect strokes and possible injuries or tumors in the brain.
Hallucinations Treatment
Treatment of hallucinations depends on the cause. Doctors will prescribe medication if the hallucinations are caused by mental disorders, epilepsy, or migraines. However, in hallucinations caused by brain tumors, doctors will perform surgical procedures or radiation.
Doctors will also suggest cognitive behavioral therapy, especially in patients with hallucinations caused by mental disorders. This therapy can help patients to deal with fear or paranoia.
Hallucinations Prevention
Hallucinations can be prevented by having regular check-ups when you have mental disorders or health problems that can cause hallucinations.
In addition, to prevent hallucinations, you are also recommended to:
- Manage stress well, for example by doing relaxation techniques.
- Avoiding the use of NAPZA.
- Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Enough sleep.