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Writer's pictureDr Bakshi

Hallucinations





Do you have also heard about the word ‘Hallucinations’?


Recently, Manish experienced a sense of being followed and about to be killed, but when he stopped and went outside, all that was in front of him was a shadow of himself.


Not only does he feel as though someone is watching him, but there is also something much worse about him: He constantly hears whispers that someone is trying to blackmail him over the same issue.


He told his buddies about his experience, and they all told him there was nothing like it; nonetheless, he did not believe it. Even though the local authorities did not take his actions into consideration, he filed a FIR against the fake person later, he has been advised to consult a professional and after greater evaluation and studies it was shown that Manish was diagnosed with auditory and visual hallucinations


What are hallucinations?

What is the disorder which Manish is diagnosed with?


Hallucination is a false belief or perception about certain objects, senses, sight, touch, feelings, or taste. hallucination itself believes deception or disbelief which is not real, but it seems that it is real.


Hallucinations can also happen because of medical ailments such as eye disease and neurodegenerative diseases, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, and personality disorders. This disconnects from reality could happen for a variety of reasons.


What are the types of Hallucinations?


Hallucination is a psychological disorder that affects our five senses of ours. There are different types of Hallucinations mainly as follows,


1. Auditory Hallucination


One of the most typical types of hallucinations is auditory. You may hear someone talking to you or directing you. The voice could be irate, unflappable, or friendly.

Hearing sounds, such as someone strolling in the attic, or recurrent clicking or tapping noises are further examples of this kind of hallucination.


2. Visual Hallucinations


Visual hallucinations involve vivid imagination of scenes, figures, animals, or humans. these visions can elicit a variety of responses, such as fear, joy, or indifference. Typically, the hallucinations are described as colorful and include average-sized persons and objects.


3. Olfactory Hallucinations


Your sense of smell is involved in olfactory hallucinations. When you wake up in the middle of the night, you can smell something unpleasant or think your body smells horrible even when it doesn't. Smells you appreciate, like the aroma of flowers, can also appear in this kind of hallucination.


4. Gustatory Hallucinations


Like olfactory hallucinations, gustatory hallucinations affect your sense of taste rather than smell. These flavors are frequently odd or disagreeable. Gustatory hallucinations, frequently with a metallic taste, are typical epilepsy symptoms.


5. Tactile Hallucinations


In tactile hallucinations, your body may feel touched or move. For instance, you can have sensations of bugs crawling on your skin or the movement of your internal organs. Also possible is the sensation of imagined hands touching your body.


Two types of Hallucinations are sleep related.


Hypnagogic hallucination


Hypnagogic hallucination is a type of sleep-related hallucination wherein people experience hallucination while they are being asleep.

There is no sign of a mental disorder in these hallucinations. Although experts are unsure of their specific origin, they are aware that they are not causing alarm. They are merely activities that your brain might engage in when you go off to sleep.


Hypnagogic hallucinations occasionally coexist with a paralyzing sleep condition. Your body's muscles will remain immovable, and you won't be able to move if you have sleep paralysis. It might be terrifying to be immobile when experiencing hallucinations. Your muscles may not fully recover for up to several minutes.


A Hypnic Jerk


A hypnic jerk, often known as a sleep start, is another typical occurrence as people go off to sleep. You can feel like you're dreaming about falling as you nod off or you might be aware of a falling sensation. You can be startled awake by your body. Most likely safe, their sleep commences.


Myoclonus, an uncontrollable muscle spasm, causes hypnic jerks. Another manifestation of myoclonus muscle spasm is hiccups.


Causes of hallucinations





1. Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are examples of mental health conditions

2. alcohol and drug use

3. Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease

4. a modification in vision or loss of eyesight, like Charles Bonnet syndrome

after surgery and anesthesia, medication side effects may include anxiety, despair, or bereavement.

5. Dementia

6. Parkinson's condition

7. Seizures

8. Migraines

9. Brain tumors and lesions

10. issues with sleep

11. drugs that cause hallucinations

12. metabolic issues

13. brain tumor

14. borderline personality disorder

16. temporal lobe seizure

17. sinus diseases



How are hallucinations diagnosed?


If the situations of your perceptions or delusions not been real and persist for more than a month then it is better advised to consult a mental health professional who will aim to clear out all the problems and delusional thoughts which are caused due to these unreal perceptions and help you to come out of this situation.


How are hallucinations treated?





Both psychosocial interventions and antipsychotic medications may play a significant role in the individual's management plan. Understanding, stress management, and medication compliance can be improved with the aid of psychosocial methods, such as education, counseling, and support for the individual and his or her family.



Talk therapy or counselling


Your treatment strategy may also include counselling. This is especially true if a mental health issue is the root cause of your hallucinations.


You can better comprehend what's going on for you by talking to a counsellor. Additionally, a counsellor can assist you in creating coping mechanisms, particularly during times when you feel terrified or uneasy.


Medications





Your hallucinations' underlying cause will determine how they should be treated. For instance, if you're experiencing severe alcohol withdrawal hallucinations, your doctor can recommend medication that calms your nervous system.


The same type of drug may not be helpful in a dementia patient whose hallucinations are brought on by Parkinson's disease; instead, alternative medications may be utilised.

The key to effectively treating the illness is a precise diagnosis.



When you decide to seek help, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bakshi.



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