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Hallucinations

ClockFaceSenior Contributor03 Mar 2023, 8:57 pm AEDT

Hallucinations

So Im on here a bit at the moment, mainly surrounding my sisters situation.

Personally, I have Bipolar 2 with psychotic features (odd diagnosis I know), Depression and a few Anxiety Disorders. I also have a number of major health issues, I have a procedure on my back next Thursday which hopefully will result in me being pain free for the first time in over 20 years. I have bladder cancer which means regular procedures to check on it and remove tumors if they appear.

I had to go to ER a couple days ago as I have been having really bad chest pain and breathing difficulties a few times, they last for about 10 min. Obviously, I was checked out for heart attacks but it would appear that that wasnt the case. So they have referred me to my cardiologist, my Mum has heditary heart isssues and my sister and I need to be checked regularly. While I was getting checked my sister was having issues, enough the doctor stopped to check on her. She got a call from an ex which sent her into melt down and she ended up being admitted to ER too.

Along with the above I have a number of 'smaller' issues that are managed by medication. Pain, Mental Health and the others combined I take over 20 different medications daily, with more recently added so I dont know where I am currently at.

Anyhow, its the psychotic features that I want to talk about. They have raised their head recently. I have been having audible, visual and tactile hallucinations and Im not really enjoying them.

Ive had hallucinations off an on for a long time and often multiple times a year, they generally seem to be stress induced but I have a standard set of them and the ones Im currently having are not my standard.

Audible is fine, music is my friend there, loud, metal, in your face, obnoxious music. I use headphones. But the ones I am having now is like music or TV in a distant room, barely audible but there. So Im not overly bothered by them.

Visual was ok, I saw a guy standing in the room, I can describe what hes wearing, but he just stood there and then gone. Didnt bother me, couldnt work it out and it had me confused but it was what it was. Today I saw a woman, same deal standing there. This time it was out the front of a shop (I was waiting for my sister). I immediately felt like I was being watched by these people, followed, stalked maybe. I did not feel comfortable at all, I was really insecure and vunerable. I did not like this.

Tactile is hard to deal with. These happen as I get into bed, like within minutes of me doing so, so they arent night terrors etc. They are pretty terrifying and it takes a while for me to calm down after I have one.

A lot of my hallucinations are hell focused, which I put down to my child hood. My parents were very religious in a pentecostal movement. A lot of hell and brimstone. You do wrong, you go to hell. Theres demons and spirital realms etc. So I think thats a huge influence.

I essentially just "experience" the hallucination, try and ride it out, calm down and carry on. Not the easiest thing, especially with the tactile as I am trying to go to sleep. This is mainly because I dont know any other way to confront them. I dont know if there are ways to deal with them in a better way. So thats what I am asking, whats peoples advise for managing hallucinations?

4 replies

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In response to: Hallucinations

tymeModerator04 Mar 2023, 5:19 pm AEDT

Re: Hallucinations

Dear @ClockFace ,

Thank you for sharing what is happening for you.

It sounds like a difficult space to sit in alone. However, it seems like you have found some things that work like listening to music.

I hope others in the community will be able to provide some more insight into your post.

I'll definitely be reading on!

Take care, tyme

In response to: Re: Hallucinations

DogMan79Senior Contributor05 Mar 2023, 1:15 am AEDT

Re: Hallucinations

With the ties to childhood trauma, you might investigate Internal Family Systems IFS Therapy

Which will approach them as a Part Self, which you can learn from and then unblend with the Part

In response to: Hallucinations

justanotherguySenior Contributor05 Mar 2023, 3:51 pm AEDT

Re: Hallucinations

Hi @ClockFace , what you're describing sounds very complicated to an outsider, I would suggest finding a professional mental health service to help you with this, I would start with your GP first.

In response to: Hallucinations

JoleneZachariContributor05 Mar 2023, 6:14 pm AEDT

Re: Hallucinations

Dear friend, it takes immense strength and courage to confront and manage hallucinations. You have been dealing with a lot of health issues and challenges in your life, and I want you to know that you are doing a great job. It's not easy to cope with all of this, but you are persevering and pushing through. I understand that you experiencing some challenges with hallucinations due to medical conditions I want you to know that you are not alone and I am here to offer support and share any thoughts or ideas that may be helpful to you. I have encountered a situation in which my experiences were influenced by both my PTSD and my diagnosis of Schizophrenia, resulting in visual and auditory hallucinations.

I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing hallucinations and that they're causing you distress. It's important to speak to a healthcare professional about this as they can provide you with the appropriate treatment and support, they can work with you to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.In the meantime,here are some general tips for managing hallucinations:

Try to stay calm: Hallucinations can be frightening, but try to remind yourself that they are not real. Take some deep breaths and try to relax.

Distract yourself: Engage in activities that help take your mind off the hallucinations, such as listening to music or watching a movie.

Reality testing: Ask someone you trust if they can see or hear what you're experiencing. This can help to ground you in reality and reduce the intensity of the hallucinations. (Reality test work for me, ask someone you trust )

Challenge your thoughts: Try to challenge any negative or frightening thoughts that accompany the hallucinations.

For example, remind yourself that it's unlikely that someone is watching or following you.
Seek support: Talk to friends or family members about your experiences or consider joining a support group for people who experience hallucinations.

Take your medication: Make sure you are taking your medication as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

Practice good sleep hygiene: Hallucinations can be more frequent when you are tired or sleep deprived, so make sure you are getting enough rest.

Reduce stress: Stress and anxiety can worsen hallucinations. Try to identify and eliminate sources of stress in your life. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to help you manage stress.

Keep a journal: Writing down your experiences can help you identify triggers for your hallucinations and track any changes in their frequency or intensity.

Create a safe and calming environment: Avoid loud noises or chaotic environments that can increase the likelihood of hallucinations. Create a calming space for yourself with soft lighting and relaxing music or soundscapes.

I understand that managing auditory hallucinations takes time and patience. With the right treatment and support, you can learn to manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.

Please know that you are not defined by your diagnosis or symptoms, and that you deserve care and support. You are a strong and resilient person, and I believe in your ability to continue moving forward.I want to remind you that you are not alone, and there are people who care about you and want to support you.

You are a valuable and important person, and your presence in this world is appreciated. Keep fighting, keep pushing, and keep believing that things will get better.

Take care of yourself, and don't hesitate to seek help from professionals if you need it. You are worthy of love and care, and you deserve to live a fulfilling life. Stay strong and keep shining!

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