Hallucinations involve sensing things that aren't there while a person is awake and conscious.
Alternative Names
Sensory hallucinations
Considerations
Common hallucinations include:
Feeling a crawling sensation on the skin
Hearing voices when no one has spoken
Seeing patterns, lights, beings, or objects that aren't there
Hallucinations related to smell or taste are rare.
Many recreational drugs, including drugs such as LSD and certain strong types of marijuana, may cause hallucinations. Hallucinations related to these drugs tend to involve seeing things, and may include patterns or haloes around lights. People who have such visual hallucinations after taking drugs usually know that their perception is distorted.
Hearing things (auditory hallucinations) is more common in psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia, although it may sometimes occur with high doses of cocaine, amphetamines, or other stimulants. High doses of stimulant drugs can make you feel as though there are bugs crawling on or just under the skin.
In some cases, hallucinations may be normal. For example, hearing the voice of, or briefly seeing, a loved one who has recently died can be a part of the grieving process.
Common Causes
There are many causes of hallucinations, including:
Being drunk or high, or coming down from such drugs as marijuana, LSD, cocaine or crack, heroin, and alcohol
A person who begins to hallucinate and is detached from reality should get checked by a health care professional right away, because many medical conditions that can cause hallucinations may quickly become emergencies. A person who is hallucinating may become nervous, paranoid, and frightened, and should not be left alone.
Call your health care provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if someone appears to be hallucinating and is unable to tell hallucinations from reality.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
The health care provider will do a physical examination and take a medical history. Blood may be drawn for testing.
Medical history questions may include the following:
Schizophrenia (1 image)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it difficult to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations. Reviewer: Christos Ballas, MD, Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/06/2008
Psychosis(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Psychosis is a loss of contact with reality, usually including false ideas about what is taking place or who one is (delusions) and seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations. Reviewer: Christos Ballas, M.D., Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/06/2008
Alcoholism (7 images)
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Alcoholism is drinking alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities. Reviewer: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/15/2009
Marijuana intoxication(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Marijuana ("pot) is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. The drug is primarily smoked, sometimes eaten. Its intoxicating effects include relaxation, sleepiness, and mild euphoria (getting high. Marijuana can cause undesirable side effects, which increase with higher doses. These side effects include dry mouth, red eyes, impaired perception and motor skills, decreased short-term memory, paranoia, mood swings, and hallucinations. The amount and effect of these side effects varies from individual to individual, as well as the amount of marijuana used. Related topics: Drug abuse; Drug abuse and dependence; Drug abuse first aid. Reviewer: John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Samaritan Regional Health System, Ashland, Ohio. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 01/30/2009
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