Hallucination
A hallucination is a false perception of objects: all of sence may involved: sight, sound, smell, touch ,taste.
Hallucinations for person seem real, but they’re not sence by other people and it is created by patients mind
In fact patient hear a voice or see an image that isn’t real.
This false sence named hallucination.
Some times hallucination caused by: mental illnesses such schizophrenia, medications, epilepsy, brain tumor, alcohol abuse.
In these patients need to visit by psychiatrist and neurologist.
several types of hallucinations
including:
sound hallucinations:
is the most common type, person can hearing sounds that aren’t real, such person sound, nature sound .
Sometimes these sound may command patient to do something that is harmful .
sight hallucinations:
seeing things that aren’t real touch hallucinations: patient feel touch on or in his body.
Smell hallucinations:
smells that don’t exist
taste hallucinations:
cause strange or unpleasant.
There are types of hallucinations that are sleep-related:
Sometimes when person wakes up from sleep, Hypnopompic hallucinations occurs and it is considered normal
Hypnagogic hallucinations occurs when person falls asleep.
Abnormalities in chemical reaction in patient brain cause hallucinations.
For Treatment, medication usage is necessary.
Delusions: untrue beliefs
patient thinks that he has special powers or he is being poisoned but these beliefs aren’t true.
Hallucinations are a perception not based on sensory input, whereas illusions are misinterpretations of sensory inputs.
you might mistake a black tiger behind window but with further examination, you realize that it’s a black cat ,This is an illusion.
How do I know if I’m hallucinating?
It’s possible to experience hallucinations while being aware that they aren’t real.
some people grieving the death of a loved one may hear their loved one’s voice or see them, but they know it is impossible.
possible causes of hallucinations?
1) mental disease such Schizophrenia, Delusional disorder, Brief psychotic disorder, Bipolar disorder, Major depression
2) neurological disease such Parkinson
3) Alzheimer
4) medications.
Alcohol or drugs, marijuana, LSD cocaine, amphetamines, heroin or ketamine.
fever, dehydration, Sleep deprivation, Migraine ,Trauma Severe pain
Grieving, Infections, Recovering from anesthesia
Treatment of Hallucination
caused by temporary conditions, such as high fever, severe dehydration or infection,
Certain medications including:
first-generation and second-generation antipsychotic medications
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Nursing patient is experiencing hallucinations:
–Develop a trust relationship with patient
–Anxiety and stress control
–Medication reminder and regular usage
–Good diet, exercise, not smoking
–Help the patient with social and support network.
–Support and promote self care.
–Provide family members and carers about hallucinations
Encourage family members and careers to look after themselves and seek support and Be aware of your own feelings when caring for a person experiencing hallucinations. May caregiver to these patients need support and clinical supervisor or an Employee Assistance Service counsellor is necessary for these nurses or caregivers.
Also read: Dementia in the elderly
