What do hallucinations feel like

I send the drawings to a friend, and he says they are cute. But, to me, they are really scary. When a hallucination scene is unfolding before my eyes, the scene does not interact with anything of the environment, rather, they behave within the reality, as if I am accessing two dimensions at once.

My hallucinations never pick up objects or pay regards to any law of physics. They do not walk with gravity. Perhaps there are different degrees or types of hallucinations, experienced differently by everyone. I do not know, and it feels like no one else does, either. It is still difficult for me to understand the nature of hallucinations, even though they are a part of who I am. So I can imagine how difficult it is for society to understand.

However, it is important for people like me to work toward increasing that understanding, even if it feels strange to be writing about something so unique and personal. Hopefully, by taking the time to think about what it really means to be symptomatic, we may gain a more thorough understanding of hallucinations and the experiences of those who have them. Sarah works at the intersections of art, technology and science.

She is earning a Master's degree in behavioral neuroscience, and she is a nonfiction writer who writes about mental illness, science, skepticism, and human rights.

She has been published at Huffington Post, Free Inquiry, Eclectica Magazine, and more for her writings on mental health. Visit her website sarahanmyers. We feature the latest research, stories of recovery, ways to end stigma and strategies for living well with mental illness. Most importantly: We feature your voices. Search Close Menu. Sign In About Mental Illness. About Mental Illness Treatments.

About Mental Illness Research. Your Journey Individuals with Mental Illness. Your Journey Family Members and Caregivers. Your Journey Identity and Cultural Dimensions. Your Journey Frontline Professionals. Get Involved Become a Fundraiser. Some people with visual impairment may experience temporary visual hallucinations. This is known as Charles Bonnet syndrome and it tends to affect older people who have started to lose their sight, although it can affect people of any age.

The hallucinations usually last for about 12 to 18 months and can take the form of simple, repeated patterns or complex images of people, objects or landscapes. Hallucinations can sometimes occur in frail older people who are ill.

The hallucinations may start before other signs that the person is unwell. They may be caused by a chest infection or urine infection , for example.

Call the GP or if your elderly relative suddenly develops hallucinations, particularly if they appear unwell in any other way. Page last reviewed: 5 February Next review due: 5 February Home Mental health Feelings, symptoms and behaviours Feelings and symptoms Back to Feelings and symptoms. Hallucinations and hearing voices. For example, they can occur as a result of: taking illegal drugs or alcohol a mental illness, such as schizophrenia 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.

It covers: hearing voices drug-induced hallucinations hallucinations and 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. Hearing voices Hearing voices in the mind is the most common type of hallucination in people with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia.

Practical advice If you're hearing voices, discuss any concerns you have with your GP. You may also find the following advice helpful: talk to other voice hearers — the Hearing Voices Network is a UK-based charity that can give you help and support, and put you in touch with other people in a similar situation to you be open to discussing your voices try to understand where the voices come from, why and what triggers them The Mental Health Foundation has more information and practical advice about how to deal with hearing voices.

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. Medication Various prescription medicines can occasionally cause hallucinations.

Hallucinations and sleep Some people experience hallucinations just as they're falling asleep hypnagogic , or as they start to wake up hypnopompic. Hallucinations in children with a fever Hallucinations can sometimes occur in children who are ill with a fever. Read more about fever in children. Charles Bonnet syndrome Some people with visual impairment may experience temporary visual hallucinations. Some of the most common causes of visual impairment include: age-related macular degeneration AMD — where the central part of the back of the eye the macula, which plays an important role in central vision stops working properly cataracts — when changes in the lens of the eye cause it to become less transparent clear glaucoma — where fluid builds up inside the eye, damaging the optic nerve which relays information from the eye to the brain diabetic retinopathy — where blood vessels that supply the eye become damaged from a build-up of glucose In the UK, around , people are thought to be affected by Charles Bonnet syndrome.

Hallucinations in older people with delirium Hallucinations can sometimes occur in frail older people who are ill. Additional tests might include a blood or urine test and perhaps a brain scan. In some severe cases, fear and paranoia triggered by hallucinations can lead to dangerous actions or behaviors.

Stay with the person at all times and go with them to the doctor for emotional support. You may also be able to help answer questions about their symptoms and how often they occur. Treatment for your hallucinations will depend entirely on their underlying cause.

Counseling might also be part of your treatment plan. This is particularly true if the underlying cause of your hallucinations is a mental health condition. Recovery from hallucinations depends on the cause. If your condition is caused by a mental illness, like schizophrenia, taking the right medications can improve your hallucinations significantly.

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