Why Do I Have Hallucinations?

Do you see things others don’t, like insects crawling on your hand or someone else’s face?

Do you see objects with the wrong shape or see things moving in ways they normally don’t?

Do you see flashes of light, or brightly colored spots?

Do you think a smell is coming from something around you, or from your own body?

Do you feel that something you consume (drink or eat) has a strange taste?

Do you feel you are being tickled even when you are alone, or do you feel like insects are crawling on or under your skin?

Do you feel a blast of hot air on your face that is not real?

Do you hear sounds that feel like they are coming from inside or outside your mind?

Do you hear voices talking to each other in your head or feel like they're telling you to do something?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that you are experiencing hallucinations. Hallucinations are experiences that seem real but are all created in your mind. Hallucinations can be auditory (hearing things), visual (seeing things), olfactory (smelling things), tactile (feeling something) and gustatory (tasting things). There are many things that can cause hallucinations. It can be a mental illness, a problem with the nervous system, substance abuse, and several other factors.

Based on your answers, you are experiencing one or more hallucinations. Hallucinations are not uncommon and can be caused by a number of factors, including mental illness (schizophrenia, delirium, and dementia), substance use, not getting enough sleep, and medications. If you feel like you are experiencing unreal things, it may be important to visit your doctor. Your doctor will do various tests to find out where your symptoms are coming from. Only by knowing the cause, your doctor will be able to give you the right advises. Remember that hallucinations are not necessarily related to a disorder or to drugs.

Unfortunately, based on your answers, it seems like you are experiencing several types of hallucinations. It may be important to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Hallucinations can be caused by several problems. Only by getting a diagnosis, the underlying cause will be determined and a solution for your symptoms can be found. Not all hallucinations need treatment, especially if it happened just one time. Hallucinations are also no medical emergency, but only your doctor will understand if it’s a sign of a serious health problem. Treatment may include medication and changing lifestyle habits (such as avoiding alcohol and sleeping more).