Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Auditory Hallucinations: Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23233-auditory-hallucinations

  Auditory hallucinations happen when you hear voices or noises that dont exist in reality. […] Auditory hallucinations are often associated with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions, but they can happen for several other reasons, such as hearing loss, and arent always a sign of a mental health condition. […] Approximately 75% of people with schizophrenia experience auditory hallucinations usually hearing voices. […] Schizophrenia is a chronic condition that may progress through several phases, although the length and patterns of the phases can vary. […] People with other mental health conditions can experience auditory hallucinations. […] Auditory hallucinations occur in 16% of adults with hearing impairment, which can take two forms: simple hallucinations (tinnitus) and complex hallucinations (speech and music).

• #2 Hallucinations and hearing voices – NHS

  https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/hallucinations-hearing-voices/

  Hallucinations are where you hear, see, smell, taste or feel things that appear to be real but only exist in your mind. Get medical help if you or someone else have hallucinations. […] You may have hallucinations if you: hear sounds or voices that nobody else hears […] Hallucinations can be caused by many different health conditions that affect the senses. […] Common causes of hallucinations include: mental health conditions like schizophrenia or a bipolar disorder […] Sometimes hallucinations can be temporary. They can happen if you have migraines, a high temperature or just as you wake up or fall asleep. […] Treatment for hallucinations will depend on what’s causing it. […] For example, if you have a mental health condition like schizophrenia, you may be given therapy or medicine to help reduce your hallucinations.

• #3 Hallucinations: Definition, Causes, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23350-hallucinations

  Hallucinations are false perceptions of sensory experiences. Some hallucinations are normal, such as those caused by falling asleep or waking up. But others may be a sign of a more serious condition like schizophrenia or dementia. […] Hallucinations are typically a symptom of a psychosis-related disorder, particularly schizophrenia, but they can also result from substance use, neurological conditions and some temporary situations. […] Hearing voices is the most common type of hallucination in people with these mental health conditions. […] Schizophrenia is the main mental health condition that causes hallucinations. Schizophrenia refers to both a single condition and a spectrum of conditions that fall under the category of psychosis-related disorders. These are conditions where a person experiences some form of disconnection from reality (psychosis), which can include hallucinations.

• #4 Hallucinations: Causes, Types, Diagnosis, Treatment

  https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/what-are-hallucinations

  Hallucinations are false perceptions, where you sense an object, person, or event even though it is not really there or didn’t happen. It seems very real to you. […] Hallucinations most often result from: […] More than 70% of people with this illness get visual hallucinations, and 60%-90% hear voices. But some may also smell and taste things that aren’t there. […] Many mental health conditions may involve hallucinations. It’s most common to hear voices. Schizophrenia is the main one. […] Hallucinations can happen just before you fall asleep or right after you wake up. […] Hallucinations can affect any of your five senses and have several types. […] You may sense that the sounds are coming from inside or outside your mind. You might hear the voices talking to each other or feel like they’re telling you to do something.

• #5 Auditory Hallucinations – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557633/

  Auditory hallucinations are the sensory perceptions of hearing noises without an external stimulus. This symptom is particularly associated with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders but is not specific to them. […] Auditory hallucinations can refer to a plethora of sounds; however, when the hallucinations are voices, they are distinguished as auditory verbal hallucinations. This specific subset of paracusias is particularly associated with schizophrenia but is not specific to it. Nonpsychotic disorders associated with auditory verbal hallucinations are affective, trauma-related, substance-related, and neurological disorders. […] The prevalence of auditory hallucinations in the general population ranges from 5% to 28%. Auditory hallucinations are most prevalent in patients who have psychosis. They are observed in 75% of individuals with schizophrenia, 20-50% of individuals with manic depression, 10% of individuals with major depression, and 40% of individuals with PTSD.

• #6 Psychiatry.org – What is Schizophrenia?

  https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia

  Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects less than one percent of the U.S. population. When schizophrenia is active, symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, trouble with thinking and lack of motivation. […] Hallucinations are the experience of hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or feeling things that are not there. They are vivid and clear with an impression similar to normal perceptions. Auditory hallucinations, or hearing voices, are the most common in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. […] When the disease is active, it can be characterized by episodes in which the person is unable to distinguish between real and unreal experiences. […] Symptoms of schizophrenia usually first appear in early adulthood and must persist for at least six months for a diagnosis to be made.

• #7 Hallucinations: Types, causes, and symptoms

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327014

  Hallucinations can be a sign of a mental health illness, but they do not always mean a person is unwell. Hallucinations are, in fact, relatively common. […] One 2015 study from Europe found that 7.3 percent of people reported a life-long experience of hearing voices. A further study from South Africa on hallucinations in the general population put the rate higher at 12.7%. […] Scientists do not fully understand why some people have hallucinations, and others do not. Neither do they know what triggers hallucinations in people with conditions such as schizophrenia. […] Hallucinations can happen any time there is a change in brain activity. For example, some people are more vulnerable to hallucinations when they are falling asleep or partially waking. […] There are many different types of hallucinations, including auditory hallucinations: These are when someone hears something that is not there, such as a voice or radio.

• #8 Symptoms – Schizophrenia – NHS

  https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms/

  Hallucinations are where someone sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels things that do not exist outside their mind. The most common hallucination is hearing voices. […] Hallucinations are very real to the person experiencing them, even though people around them cannot hear the voices or experience the sensations. […] Research using brain-scanning equipment shows changes in the speech area in the brains of people with schizophrenia when they hear voices. These studies show the experience of hearing voices as a real one, as if the brain mistakes thoughts for real voices. […] Some people describe the voices they hear as friendly and pleasant, but more often they’re rude, critical, abusive or annoying. […] The voices might describe activities taking place, discuss the hearer’s thoughts and behaviour, give instructions, or talk directly to the person. Voices may come from different places or 1 place, such as the television. […] The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can often appear several months or years before somebody experiences their first acute schizophrenic episode with symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. […] Symptoms during the prodromal period usually appear gradually and slowly get worse.

• #9 Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

  https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/auditory-hallucinations

  Auditory hallucinations are when you hear voices or other sounds that no one else hears. They can be stressful, especially if the noises never stop or the voices say mean things to you. But auditory hallucinations aren’t always scary. […] Up to 80% of people with schizophrenia say they have auditory hallucinations, with hearing voices being the most common. These are usually different from the inner voice that nearly everyone has. […] Auditory hallucinations with schizophrenia are often threatening or abusive but can sometimes even be pleasant or encouraging. […] Schizophrenia is one of the most common causes of auditory hallucinations, but there are many other reasons you might hear things that aren’t there, including: […] Hearing voices can sometimes happen with other mental illnesses as well, including: anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizoaffective disorder.

• #10 What Does “Hearing Voices” Mean?

  https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/mental-health-symptoms/hearing-voices/

  Hearing voices is a very common experience. Hearing voices can be a symptom of some mental health problems, but not everyone that hears voices are unwell. […] Hearing voices is not always a sign of a mental health problem. […] Up to 1 in 10 people hear voices. Hearing voices is a very common experience. […] Hearing voices may be a symptom of a mental illness. A doctor may diagnose you psychosis or bipolar disorder. But you can hear voices without having a mental health diagnosis. […] Research shows that many people hear voices or experience other types of hallucinations. It is not always a sign of being unwell. […] Voices can interrupt the thought process and make it difficult to concentrate. They can be overwhelming and intrusive, which can make it difficult to communicate or focus on things you are trying to do.

• #11 Auditory Hallucinations in Adult Populations

  https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/auditory-hallucinations-adult-populations

  Auditory hallucinations refer to auditory percepts that a person experiences when awake that are not elicited by an external stimuli. […] The intensity and frequency of symptoms fluctuate during the illness, but the factor that determines whether hallucinations are central to the clinical picture is the degree of interference with activities and mental functions. […] A significant proportion of persons with schizophrenia also experience nonverbal hallucinations (music and other sounds). […] The frequency of hallucinations increases with the progression of the disease and is associated with greater distress in the caregiver and higher mortality. […] People who experience auditory hallucinations do not necessarily suffer from a mental illness. […] Descriptive studies have since showed remarkable similarities to hallucinations reported by persons with schizophrenia (in acoustic quality, direction, linguistic details, etc), but with key differences: hallucinations in persons without mental illness are less frequent, less intrusive, of shorter duration, and more positive than in persons with schizophrenia.

• #12 Hearing voices | Mental Health Foundation

  https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/hearing-voices

  Hearing voices can be a symptom of some mental health problems, not everyone who hears voices has a mental illness. Hearing voices is actually quite a common experience: around one in ten of us will experience it at some point in our lives. […] Hearing voices is sometimes called an auditory hallucination. Some people have other hallucinations, such as seeing, smelling, tasting or feeling things that don’t exist outside their mind. […] Sometimes hearing voices can be upsetting or distressing. They may say hurtful or frightening things. However, some people’s voices may be neutral or more positive. You may feel differently about your voices at different times in your life. […] Its common to think that hearing voices must be a sign of a mental health condition, but many people who are not mentally unwell hear voices.

• #12 Hearing voices | Mental Health Foundation

  https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/hearing-voices

  People may hear voices because of traumatic life experiences, which may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder, stress or worry, lack of sleep, extreme hunger, taking recreational drugs, or as a side-effect of prescribed drugs, mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression. […] If your voices are the result of a mental health condition, you may be offered talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT can help you learn what triggers your voices and how to manage them. […] Medication, most likely an antipsychotic drug, may stop the voices, make them quieter or make you feel less concerned about them. […] Understanding how your voices relate to your life may help you to manage their voices. […] Some people find that standing up to the voices, choosing when to pay attention to them and when to ignore them, and focusing on more positive voices can help them feel more in control.

• #13

  https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/schizophrenia/

  Hallucinations are when you see, hear, smell, taste or feel things that do not exist. The most common hallucination is hearing voices. […] Hallucinations are very real to the person having them. Even though people around them cannot hear the voices or experience the sensations. […] Brain-scanning has shown there are changes in the speech area of the brain when someone with schizophrenia hears voices. This means their brain may mistake thoughts for real voices. […] Some people describe the voices they hear as friendly and pleasant. More often they’re rude, critical, abusive or annoying. […] Voices may come from different places or one place in particular, such as the television.

• #14 Auditory Hallucinations: Causes, Symptoms, Types & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23233-auditory-hallucinations

  If you experience auditory hallucinations while youre wide awake, it may be but isnt always a symptom of a mental health or neurological condition. […] The treatment for auditory hallucinations depends on the cause. […] Auditory hallucinations have several causes some of which are normal and harmless.

• #15 Hallucinations and hearing voices

  https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I/Hallucinations-and-hearing-voices

  Hallucinations refer to the experience of hearing, seeing or smelling things that are not there. […] Hearing voices speaking when there is no-one there is known as an auditory hallucination. Voices can talk about very personal matters, which can be quite frightening. […] Hallucinations occur frequently in psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic disorder and borderline personality disorder, as well as in other disorders such as dementia and Parkinsons. […] For many, however, hallucinated voices or visions can be distressing and worrying. […] There are different treatment options depending on the cause of hallucinations. […] It is possible to lead a productive and meaningful life with hallucinations.

• #16 Auditory hallucinations, not necessarily a hallmark of psychotic disorder | Psychological Medicine | Cambridge Core

  https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/auditory-hallucinations-not-necessarily-a-hallmark-of-psychotic-disorder/FA5721C751DEE83F9A43C89AE6302429

  Adhering to these more stringent criteria may help to distinguish between individuals with persistent AH which are part of a psychotic disorder, for whom antipsychotic medication may be helpful, and individuals with AH in the absence of such a disorder who may benefit from other approaches (e.g. different pharmacological interventions, improving coping style, trauma-related therapy). […] It is widely recognized that AH can accompany virtually all psychiatric disorders, including borderline personality disorder and dissociative identity disorder (40%), unipolar depression and bipolar disorder (45%), anxiety disorders (14%), autism (6%), and post-traumatic stress disorder (15%). […] Even though such AH can also present with significant impairments in social, occupational and other areas of functioning, they are not always accompanied by problems with reality testing, lack of insight or disturbed beliefs, and therefore cannot be considered as part of a psychotic disorder.

• #16 Auditory hallucinations, not necessarily a hallmark of psychotic disorder | Psychological Medicine | Cambridge Core

  https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/auditory-hallucinations-not-necessarily-a-hallmark-of-psychotic-disorder/FA5721C751DEE83F9A43C89AE6302429

  Auditory hallucinations (AH) are often considered a sign of a psychotic disorder. […] Many people who seek treatment for persistent AH have no other psychotic symptoms, have preserved reality-testing capacities, and will never develop a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. […] Instead, hallucinations may be the result of many different causes, including borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hearing loss, sleep disorders or brain lesions, and they may even occur outside the context of any demonstrable pathology. […] In such cases, the usage of the DSM-5 diagnosis of OSSSOPD would be incorrect, and it may prompt unwarranted treatment with antipsychotic medication. […] We therefore argue that a DSM-5 diagnosis of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder (or any other type of psychotic disorder) characterized by AH should require at least one more symptom listed under the A-criterion (i.e. delusions, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior or negative symptoms).

• #17 Hallucinations: Definition, Causes, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23350-hallucinations

  Neurological conditions that may cause hallucinations include: Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, Lewy body dementia, epilepsy, and narcolepsy. […] The treatment for hallucinations depends on the cause. Hallucinations caused by temporary conditions, such as high fever, severe dehydration or infection, will resolve once the underlying condition has been treated. […] If you or someone you know is experiencing hallucinations and is detached from reality, you or they should get checked by a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

• #18 Hallucinations/Delusions | Parkinson’s Foundation

  https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/hallucinations-delusions

  Psychosis can vary from severe confusion (disordered thinking) to seeing things that arent there (hallucinations) to believing things that are not true (delusions). […] It is important to report any hallucinations or delusions to your medical team, even if they are not bothersome. […] Between 20-40% of people with Parkinsons report the experience of hallucinations or delusions. […] When followed as the disease progresses over the years, this number increases. […] Hallucinations are when someone sees, hears or feels something that is not actually there. […] Hallucinations are most often a side effect of medication and are not necessarily a sign of a decline in cognitive abilities. […] Most hallucinations experienced by people with PD are fleeting and non-threatening. […] Visual hallucinations are more likely to occur in low light or low visibility situations.

• #19 Hallucinations and delusions | Stroke Association

  https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/effects/cognitive/hallucinations-and-delusions

  A stroke can sometimes lead to hallucinations or delusions, and may happen in up to one in 20 people. […] Some symptoms can start soon after a stroke, but they can also start weeks or months later. […] Hallucinations and delusions are also known as 'psychotic symptoms’. […] A hallucination is when you perceive something that isn’t there. It can affect any of your senses. You may see things (visual hallucinations), or hear sounds or voices (auditory hallucinations). […] Hearing sounds and voices (auditory hallucinations) can include hearing voices, which may seem to come from inside or outside your head. […] Hallucinations and delusions usually become less intense over time.

• #20 Brain Tumors and Hallucinations: What You Need to Know

  https://www.ctbta.org/news/blog/brain-tumors-hallucinations-what-you-need-to-know

  Brain tumors can sometimes lead to hallucinations, which are sensory experiences that appear real but are created by the brain. Hallucinations are directly tied to the location of the tumor and how it disrupts the brain’s normal functioning. […] Tumors that grow in areas responsible for processing sensory input are more likely to cause hallucinations. For instance, a tumor in the occipital lobe may lead to visual hallucinations. […] Similarly, a tumor in the temporal lobe can result in auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices or music. […] Seizures caused by tumors are a common example of this miscommunication, often accompanied by sensory distortions. […] Pressure and inflammation caused by the tumor’s growth can further intensify hallucinations. […] Hallucinations, including visual, auditory, or even olfactory experiences, are sometimes linked to tumors, depending on their location.

• #21 Hallucinations: Types, causes, and symptoms

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327014

  People with anxiety and depression may experience periodic hallucinations. The hallucinations are typically very brief and often relate to the specific emotions the person is feeling. […] Withdrawal from alcohol can cause hallucinations, especially in people who experience a severe withdrawal syndrome called delirium tremens. […] Dementia progressively damages the brain, including regions involved with sensory processing. People in mid to late stage dementia may experience auditory and visual hallucinations. […] Sometimes hallucinations are a symptom of a seizure disorder. A person may experience hallucinations during or after a seizure. […] Some people experience hallucinations that doctors associate with sleep disorders. The hallucinations commonly appear as a person falls asleep or wakes. […] It is sensible to see a doctor following any hallucination, even if there are no other symptoms. […] Hallucinations are more common than many people might realize. Although they can be frightening, they do not always mean a person has a serious brain disorder or mental health issue.

• #22 Why are auditory hallucinations called 'Hearing Voices’?

  https://www.amplifon.com/uk/audiology-magazine/auditory-hallucinations

  Psychological problems are among the most common causes of auditory hallucinations. However, there are many other reasons, including: Tinnitus. Doctors do not consider the usual buzzing or hissing of tinnitus to be a hallucination. Nevertheless, this condition can increase the risk of experiencing auditory hallucination, especially in the presence of depressive symptoms. […] Hearing loss. People with hearing loss in one or both ears can hear anything from sounds, music and voices that aren’t real. […] Intense stress. Severe stress, particularly following a traumatic injury, can cause auditory hallucinations. It is also especially common to hear the voice of a loved one after his or her recent death. […] Migraines. Some people with severe migraines experience auditory hallucinations, usually in the form of voices. […] Sleep problems. It is quite common to hear noises just as you fall asleep or wake up. However, this is usually nothing to worry about. If you fall asleep in random times and places (narcolepsy) or have difficulty falling asleep (insomnia), this is much more likely to happen.

• #23 Hear Voices in Your Head? When to Be Concerned

  https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/i-hear-voices-in-my-head

  Symptoms of schizophrenia and related conditions typically appear in early adulthood. They’re characterized by a disconnect from reality, which usually includes auditory or visual hallucinations as well as delusions. […] Some people hear voices after experiencing a traumatic event. PTSD often causes extreme physical and emotional distress, so it can have a big impact on daily life. […] It’s possible to have auditory hallucinations with many different mental health conditions, though not everyone with these conditions will ever hear voices. […] You could hear voices with health conditions that affect the brain or nervous system, including meningitis, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, temporal lobe epilepsy, migraine, a brain tumor. […] You could experience hallucinations when you don’t get enough of certain vitamins, including vitamins D and B12.

• #24 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/health/Hallucination-Stages.aspx

  Hallucination refers to when a person sees, smells, hears, feels or tastes something that does not exist. […] Hallucination is a common feature of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and dementia but can also occur as a result of extreme fatigue or bereavement. […] The most common type of hallucination is the auditory hallucination seen in schizophrenia, where patients experience invasive thoughts and start to hear voices. Hallucination can occur at different levels, ranging from mild to severe. […] Stage 2 hallucination is also called the condemning stage. Anxiety is felt to a greater degree than in stage 1 and the sufferer purposely prepares to listen to the hallucination. […] At this stage, the hallucinations can last for hours or days if the patient is left untreated and they may start to feel suicidal or violent.

• #25 Knowing the SignsKnowing the Signs – The Ottawa Hospital

  https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/clinical-services/deptpgrmcs/programs/champlain-district-regional-first-episode-psychosis-program/knowing-the-signs/

  Experiencing changes in behaviour […] Before the symptoms described above set in, there will have usually been some changes in the person’s behaviour. These changes are very hard to attribute to psychosis. They can sometimes develop so slowly that families and friends can miss them. Or they may notice the changes but think that they’re caused by other things, like changing schools, making new friends, events in the family, stress, drug use or the normal changes of adolescence.

• #26 Schizophrenia – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443

  Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how people think, feel and behave. It may result in a mix of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behavior. Hallucinations involve seeing things or hearing voices that aren’t observed by others. […] Hallucinations usually involve seeing or hearing things that other people don’t observe. For people with schizophrenia, these things seem real. Hallucinations can occur with any of the senses, but hearing voices is most common. […] Symptoms can vary in type and how severe they are. At times, symptoms may get better or worse. Some symptoms may be present at all times.

• #27 Understanding Psychosis – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/understanding-psychosis

  People with psychosis typically experience delusions (false beliefs, for example, that people on television are sending them special messages or that others are trying to hurt them) and hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others do not, such as hearing voices telling them to do something or criticizing them). […] In some cases, a person experiencing a psychotic episode may behave in confusing and unpredictable ways and may harm themselves or become threatening or violent toward others. […] A qualified mental health professional (such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker) can provide a thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis. […] With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, it is possible to recover from psychosis. Some people who receive early treatment never have another psychotic episode. For other people, recovery means the ability to lead a fulfilling and productive life, even if psychotic symptoms sometimes return.

• #28 Voluntary control of auditory hallucinations: phenomenology to therapeutic implications | Schizophrenia

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41537-020-0106-8

  Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) have traditionally been thought to be outside the influence of conscious control. […] Recent work with voice hearers makes clear that both treatment-seeking and non-treatment-seeking voice hearers may exert varying degrees of control over their voices. […] Non-treatment-seeking voice-hearing populations also consistently endorse a higher degree of control over their experiences than their treatment-seeking counterparts. […] Some individuals in non-treatment-seeking groups report an ability to control the onset and offset of their voices, which may make the experience of living with these voices significantly less disruptive and distressing. […] Control over AVH has been reported repeatedly in the literature, but there has been little in-depth examination of its meaning, its development, or its cognitive, computational, and neural bases.

• #29 Psychosis (and hearing voices) – CAMHS

  https://hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/issue/psychosis/

  Unusual experiences called hallucinations, such as seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or feeling something that is not really there, can also be a symptom of psychosis. […] Although psychosis is rare, many people may hear voices that other people cannot hear or experience other hallucinations. Hearing voices or having other hallucinations does not mean that a person is definitely experiencing psychosis. […] If you are hearing voices or experiencing other types of hallucinations which you are finding confusing or worrying, it is important to let someone know and get help, support and advice. […] Alcohol and drugs can make symptoms such as hallucinations or not being sure what is real or not real, worse. […] Lack of sleep or disrupted sleep, not eating or drinking properly or high levels of stress can also make hallucinations worse.

• #30 Voluntary control of auditory hallucinations: phenomenology to therapeutic implications | Schizophrenia

  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41537-020-0106-8

  Regardless of type, degree of perceived control over the voice-hearing experience appears to be critical for the level of distress or dysfunction experienced by the voice hearer. […] Birchwood et al. first identified that distress among patients with psychosis is potentially related to a perceived lack of control over their illness, including hallucinations. […] A recent systematic review found that, of the 12 studies identified at that time to have compared perceived control in these two groups, 10 found non-treatment-seekers to have higher endorsed control, while 2 showed no difference. […] The ability to exert some degree of control over aspects of one’s auditory hallucinations may be important for long-term outcomes and overall functioning.

• #31 Understanding voices – Living With Schizophrenia

  https://livingwithschizophreniauk.org/information-sheets/understanding-voice-hearing/

  If you have schizophrenia then using alcohol or street drugs will make your voices worse. […] Some studies have found that when people with schizophrenia use alcohol or street drugs their voices will often get worse, and as with the other psychotic symptoms the voices will also get worse when the sufferer is under pressure emotionally and psychologically, particularly if they are experiencing open hostility. […] About 70-80% of people with schizophrenia will experience an improvement in their symptoms when they take anti-psychotic medication. […] Even in cases where schizophrenia has not been diagnosed, voice hearing should be taken seriously as recent research has suggested that voice hearers who are not suffering from a psychotic illness are twice as likely to take their own life as those in the general population.

• #32 Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia

  https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/auditory-hallucinations

  You may need medications for auditory hallucinations. Your doctor might prescribe medication to help control the condition that’s causing you to hear voices or sounds, including antipsychotics. […] Treatment for auditory hallucinations depends on what’s causing them. […] If left untreated, auditory hallucinations may cause problems in your life or the lives of your loved ones. […] Not all auditory hallucinations are linked to a psychiatric disorder or medical issue. Sometimes, there’s no clear explanation. However, do consult your doctor to check for any health issues that might need attention. […] You might hear voices if you have a condition that affects how your brain works, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, or other dementias. […] Treatment depends on the cause. Antipsychotics are often used to manage auditory (or visual) hallucinations caused by mental health conditions like schizophrenia.

• #33 The Propensity to Hear “Voices” in Schizophrenia May Be Established by Infancy, Many Years Before Symptom Onset | Mount Sinai – New York

  https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2019/the-propensity-to-hear-voices-in-schizophrenia-may-be-established-by-infancy-many-years-before-symptom-onset

  Some people suffering from severe mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, hear “voices,” known as auditory hallucinations. This symptom, which afflicts more than 80% of patients, is among the most prevalent and distressing symptoms of schizophrenia. […] Auditory hallucinations, which usually begin in adolescence and young adulthood, “sound” very real to patients and can have a devastating impact on their quality of life because the “voices” are typically distressing and distracting, sometimes compelling the sufferer into suicidal or violent actions. […] The study findings suggest that the vulnerability to develop “voices” is probably established many years before symptoms begin. […] Because the tonotopic map is established when people are still infants and remains stable throughout life, our study findings suggest that the vulnerability to develop “voices” is linked to a deviance in the organization of the auditory system that occurs during infancy and precedes speech development and the onset of psychotic symptoms by many years. […] According to the authors, in addition to helping doctors spot people who are likely to experience hallucinations before the symptoms appear or become severe, the auditory cortex may be an area of consideration for novel neuromodulation methods to help patients who already have symptoms.

• #34 Hearing Voices – Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

  https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/symptoms-and-conditions/hearing-voices

  Seek prompt medical care if you are being treated for a condition associated with hearing voices and your symptoms are persistent, worsen, or otherwise cause you concern. […] Hearing voices may accompany other symptoms that vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. […] Hearing voices may be caused by psychiatric conditions including: bipolar disorder, psychotic depression (depression with disordered thought processes), schizoid personality disorder (disorder characterized by detachment and isolation), schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder (disorder characterized by a need for isolation, odd beliefs, and disordered thinking). […] Hearing voices can have other causes including: brain tumors, delirium, dementia, hearing loss, medication side effects, seizure disorders, severe fatigue, sleep deprivation, substance abuse. […] In some cases, hearing voices may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting.

• #34 Hearing Voices – Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

  https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/symptoms-and-conditions/hearing-voices

  The specific cause of hallucinations, including hearing voices, is not known. […] Hearing voices can be a symptom of serious, and even life-threatening, conditions. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you cannot distinguish the voices from reality or if the voices are accompanied by bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails; chest pain or pressure; cold, clammy or dry, hot skin; confusion or loss of consciousness for even a moment; high fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit); persistent vomiting; rapid, slow or absent pulse; respiratory or breathing problems, such as rapid or slow breathing, shortness of breath, or no breathing; seizure; serious injury; severe abdominal pain; or threatening, irrational or suicidal behavior. Also seek immediate medical care if the voices you hear are telling you to harm yourself or others.

• #35 HealthtalkHallucinations & delusions | Real People. Real life experiences. | Healthtalk

  https://healthtalk.org/experiences/mental-health-ethnic-minority-experiences/hallucinations-delusions/

  These visual hallucinations seem very real to people, and can be very frightening or distressing, affecting their sleep and other behaviour, especially if they believe the person or thing they ‘see’ is trying to harm them. […] One woman said that seeing ‘creepy crawlies’ that weren’t there was sometimes ‘really funny’ and annoying at other times, including when she’s walking, driving or reading. […] People also described feeling as though they were being touched, grabbed, pushed or punched by something that wasn’t there. […] Delusions are beliefs that aren’t based on reality or explained by someone’s usual cultural or religious beliefs. […] Some people talked about having delusions including believing they were God or Jesus, that the TV or radio was talking to them or giving them special messages, believing that aliens were coming to earth, feeling as though they were being watched or followed, or having plans for world domination. […] People also described experiencing disturbed thinking, including having ‘weird’ thoughts or disorganised, ‘muddled’ thinking.

• #35 HealthtalkHallucinations & delusions | Real People. Real life experiences. | Healthtalk

  https://healthtalk.org/experiences/mental-health-ethnic-minority-experiences/hallucinations-delusions/

  Here, people talk about what it’s like to experience symptoms associated with schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder and psychosis. Two types of symptoms are associated with schizophrenia: so-called ‘positive’ symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disturbed thinking and paranoia, and ‘negative’ symptoms, including tiredness, loss of concentration, lack of energy and motivation, few facial movements and flat emotions. […] Many people talked about experiencing hallucinations: hallucinations are something that you hear, smell, feel or see – when there isn’t anything or anyone there to explain where it came from. […] Most of the people who described hallucinations had been diagnosed with some form of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder. […] People said hearing voices was like: ‘a song that keeps on coming into your head’, ‘it’s not like it’s your own thought, it’s as if something has been saying something to you’, ‘I could hear it from within me like my own spirit saying something to me’, and ‘it’s like my own kind of thinking but it sounds like it’s outside of my head’.

• #36 Psychiatry.org – What is Schizophrenia?

  https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia

  Symptoms fall into three major categories: Positive symptoms (those abnormally present): Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things that do not exist, paranoia and exaggerated or distorted perceptions, beliefs and behaviors. […] Symptoms of schizophrenia usually first appear in early adulthood and must persist for at least six months for a diagnosis to be made. Men often experience initial symptoms in their late teens or early 20s while women tend to show first signs of the illness in their 20s and early 30s.

• #37 Knowing the SignsKnowing the Signs – The Ottawa Hospital

  https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/clinical-services/deptpgrmcs/programs/champlain-district-regional-first-episode-psychosis-program/knowing-the-signs/

  Hearing things that no one else can hear […] One of the clearest signs of psychosis is when people have hallucinations. When they hear things that others do not hear, they are experiencing auditory hallucinations. They may hear voices telling them to do things, murmuring, commenting on what they are doing and/or saying bad things about them. These voices can be disturbing and confusing. When they are hearing voices, they will often seem to be distracted and won’t be focussing on what you’re saying to them. They may turn their heads or look around as if responding to a voice. […] Experiencing changes in thinking or speech […] More subtle signs, such as changes in thinking, may also happen, but these are harder to identify as possible symptoms of psychosis. You may begin to see that the person is having trouble communicating; for example, speech may be rambling and difficult to follow. The person might also have trouble concentrating or remembering things or difficulties organizing, planning and completing tasks.

• #38 Hallucinations: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

  https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/mental-health-and-behavior/hallucinations

  Hallucinations can also occur with high fevers. […] Some people abuse certain medications and substances because those items can cause hallucinations. Other substances, such as alcohol, can cause hallucinations when used in large quantities or during withdrawal. Hallucinations can be side effects of some medications and may occur with visual or hearing loss. Sleep deprivation or severe fatigue are also hallucinations causes. […] Hallucinations may accompany other symptoms that vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the brain may also involve other body systems. […] Hallucinations may accompany other psychological or cognitive symptoms including: Anxiety, irritability or agitation, Changes in mood, personality or behavior, Confusion, forgetfulness or disconnectedness, Delusions, Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing or reading, Heightened arousal or awareness, Mood depression or elevation, Mood instability, Poor judgment, Sleep disturbances, Withdrawal or depression.

• #39 What Does “Hearing Voices” Mean?

  https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/mental-health-symptoms/hearing-voices/

  People who hear voices are at a higher risk of suicide. This may be because sometimes people hear voices that tell them to harm themselves. […] It can be common to hear unkind, negative and critical. Sometimes voices can bully you and tell you to do things you don’t want to. This can have an impact on your sense of self-worth and motivation.

• #40 Auditory Hallucinations – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557633/

  Complications occur when the hallucinations command the patient to hurt himself or others. The paracusias can also be so self-deprecating that they cause the patient to attempt suicide. […] The outcome of auditory hallucinations depends upon each caregiver’s coordination and promptness during the care process.

• #41 Symptoms of Psychosis – Early Psychosis Intervention

  https://www.earlypsychosis.ca/symptoms-of-psychosis/

  Hallucinations involve seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling or tasting something that is not actually there. These experiences appear entirely real to the person who is experiencing them. The most common type of hallucination involves hearing things such as voices or particular sounds such as music. […] A person hearing voices may respond out loud to what they are hearing. The content of the voices can range from friendly to critical, cruel and upsetting and may even tell the person what to do. […] It is often the persons behaviour in response to the hallucination that gets noticed by others. At times the person might be observed talking out loud when no one else is there or making gestures as if someone is in their presence.

• #42 Auditory Hallucinations – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557633/

  The precise mechanism by which paracusias occur remains elusive. However, several postulations have been suggested. […] The evaluation of paracusias consists of a general psychiatric interview that includes details regarding the evolution of the hallucinations, triggering factors, psychiatric review of systems, past psychiatric diagnosis, history of substance use, family history of psychiatric illness, and history of trauma. […] If the hallucinations precipitated as a result of a primary psychiatric disorder, then neuroleptics become the mainstay of treatment. Neuroleptics, colloquially referred to as antipsychotics, are a class of psychotropics that block dopamine receptors. […] If the hallucinations manifest in the setting of affective disorders, such as depression or mania, then corresponding psychotropics should be given adjunctively (eg, antidepressants and mood stabilizers, respectively).

• #43 Auditory Hallucinations | Charlie Health

  https://www.charliehealth.com/areas-of-care/psychosis/auditory-hallucinations

  Alcohol and drug use can significantly impact auditory perception. […] Alcohol withdrawal, particularly in cases of delirium tremens, may cause auditory hallucinations. […] Beyond medical and psychiatric causes, extreme stress and trauma (as seen in PTSD) can trigger auditory hallucinations, often in the form of intrusive voices. […] Proper assessment of auditory hallucinations requires a comprehensive approach. […] Treating auditory hallucinations depends on the underlying cause. […] For those with psychotic disorders, antipsychotic medication such as risperidone or olanzapine can help reduce hallucinations by altering dopamine activity in the brain. […] Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a valuable tool for helping individuals challenge and reframe distressing hallucinations. […] It is crucial to seek professional support if auditory hallucinations cause significant distress, interfere with daily life, or lead to unsafe behaviors.

• #44 Changes in perception and hallucinations in dementia – Dementia UK

  https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/health-advice/changes-in-perception-and-hallucinations-in-dementia/

  It can be alarming if a person with dementia has changes in perception or hallucinations. These tips will help you to help them. […] The good news is there are lots of things you can do to help people with dementia who are experiencing changes in perception and hallucinations. […] If you’re concerned about changes in perception or hallucinations in a person with dementia, make an appointment with their GP. They can help to identify and treat any possible physical causes.

• #45 Psychosis | healthdirect

  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/psychosis

  People with psychosis cannot tell what is real and what is not. […] They may have hallucinations, like hearing voices that don’t exist, or delusions, where they have false beliefs about themselves or the world. […] They may experience hallucinations, such as hearing voices that aren’t there. […] Auditory hallucinations are the most common. This is when a person hears voices or other sounds that are not there. […] If you or someone near you is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm this is a medical emergency call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to the closest hospital emergency department. […] Usually, psychosis occurs in 'episodes’. These can last from anywhere from a few hours to a few months. […] Treatment usually involves a combination of: medicine/s, education about the illness (psychoeducation), psychotherapy or counselling, community support programs, family support, practical support. […] A person with psychosis may be prescribed antipsychotic medicines. These medicines work by altering chemicals in the brain, including dopamine. Antipsychotics usually take several weeks to reduce symptoms such as hallucinations or paranoia.

• #46 Medications That May Cause Hallucinations as a Side Effect – BuzzRx

  https://www.buzzrx.com/blog/medications-that-may-cause-hallucinations-as-a-side-effect

  There have been rare reports of vivid dreams and auditory and visual hallucinations related to cephalosporins and sulfa drugs. […] Some medications used to treat heart disease, such as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, ACE inhibitors, and antianginal drugs, can cause hallucinations in a small number of people. […] Antidepressants like serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), for example, venlafaxine (Effexor), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and bupropion have all been reported to cause medication-related visual hallucinations. […] Medication-related visual hallucinations can occur from drugs used to treat psychiatric and mood disorders, therapy for Parkinson’s disease, major depressive disorder, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, and certain antibiotics. […] Medications that can cause tactile hallucinations include anti-Parkinsonian drugs, antiepileptics, antidepressants, antihypertensives, and stimulants.

• #47 Auditory hallucination – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditory_hallucination

  High caffeine consumption has been linked to an increase in the likelihood of experiencing auditory hallucinations. […] The primary means of treating auditory hallucinations is antipsychotic medications which affect dopamine metabolism. […] Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to help decrease the frequency and distressfulness of auditory hallucinations, particularly when other psychotic symptoms were presenting. […] Between 25% and 30% of schizophrenia patients do not respond to antipsychotic medication which has led researchers to look for alternate sources to help them. […] Studies using dichotic listening methods suggest that people with schizophrenia have major deficits in the functioning of the left temporal lobe by showing that patients do not generally exhibit what is a functionally normal right ear advantage.

• #48 Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia – Psychiatry Advisor

  https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/features/auditory-hallucinations-in-schizophrenia-dysfunction/

  About 30% of patients have treatment-resistant auditory hallucinations, for which the standard of care is to increase the dose of antipsychotics, which he believes may not be so effective. […] Treatment resistance and drug adverse effects have led to the development of new interventions to help patients with schizophrenia cope with auditory hallucinations. […] Patients who are distressed by hearing voices often have a complex range of needs and mental health problems that require a biopsychosocial approach to care and treatment.

• #48 Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia – Psychiatry Advisor

  https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/features/auditory-hallucinations-in-schizophrenia-dysfunction/

  Auditory hallucinations, or hearing voices, is one of the most prevalent symptoms of schizophrenia, reported by as many as 75% of patients. […] Auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia are heterogenous in nature. […] Most commonly though, people diagnosed with schizophrenia will hear multiple voices that are male, nasty, repetitive, commanding, and interactive, where the person can ask the voice a question and get some kind of answer. […] Unlike auditory hallucinations in nonclinical populations, which are largely neutral or positive, those in schizophrenia tend to be negative and controlling, taking a huge toll on the emotional well-being and quality of life of the individual. […] Depression, significant stress, and increased suicidal attempts have all been linked to the severity of auditory hallucinations in people with schizophrenia.

• #49 What Are Hallucinations and What Causes Them?

  https://www.verywellhealth.com/hallucinations-5222084

  Hallucinations may occur while someone is intoxicated (drunk or high) or when they are in withdrawal after taking certain substances regularly. […] Treatment options for hallucinations typically include psychotherapy and, if caused by psychosis, antipsychotic medication. […] If hallucinations are related to a history of trauma or abuse, trauma-informed therapy may help. […] Hallucinations could be a sign of an underlying mental illness or another serious medical condition.

• #50 Hearing Voices in Schizophrenia

  https://www.verywellmind.com/hearing-voices-in-schizophrenia-2953099

  A number of treatments can help reduce the frequency and severity of auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia. Antipsychotics are the preferred choice, but cognitive behavioral therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or electroconvulsive therapy may be helpful in some cases. […] Although auditory hallucinations often respond to treatment with antipsychotic medications, a person might continue to hear voices despite treatment. […] Learning to play an instrument, spending time playing with a pet, making art, and reading are just a few strategies that can help you cope with auditory hallucinations.

• #51 Hallucinations and dementia | Alzheimer’s Society

  https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/hallucinations

  Antipsychotic medication can sometimes help to reduce severe or distressing hallucinations. […] If the person seems to be having auditory hallucinations (hearing things that arent there), arrange to have their hearing checked. […] When a person is hallucinating, how you respond has a big impact on their experience and wellbeing. […] People are less likely to hear voices that are not there when they are talking to someone real.

• #52 Hear Voices in Your Head? When to Be Concerned

  https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/i-hear-voices-in-my-head

  Hearing voices isn’t always a cause for concern. […] Hearing voices that say cruel or unkind things, however, can affect your sense of self-worth and emotional well-being. […] When voices do occur alongside other symptoms, cause distress, or happen frequently enough to affect your daily life, you can talk with a healthcare professional to discuss diagnosis and treatment options. […] Experiencing auditory hallucinations may not automatically mean you have a mental health condition, but it can still feel unsettling and frightening.

• #53 Hallucinations Information | Mount Sinai – New York

  https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/hallucinations

  Hallucinations involve sensing things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not. These things are created by the mind. […] Hearing voices when no one has spoken (the most common type of hallucination). These voices may be positive, negative, or neutral. They may command someone to do something that may cause harm to themselves or others. […] A person who begins to hallucinate and is detached from reality should get checked by their health care provider right away. Many medical and mental conditions that can cause hallucinations may quickly become emergencies. The person should not be left alone. […] Treatment depends on the cause of your hallucinations.

• #54 Hallucinations: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

  https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/mental-health-and-behavior/hallucinations

  In some cases, hallucinations may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including: Being a danger to oneself or others, including threatening, irrational or suicidal behavior, Bluish coloration of the lips or fingernails, Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness, Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations and delusions. […] The specific cause of hallucinations is not known, but they can be associated with some psychiatric disorders or medical conditions. Substance abuse and withdrawal, medication side effects, sensory loss, sleep deprivation, and severe fatigue can all be associated with hallucinations.

• #55 Auditory hallucinations: Causes, types, and more

  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/auditory-hallucinations

  Treatment for auditory hallucinations depends on the cause. To illustrate, doctors treat the cause of schizophrenia with antipsychotic medication, the cause of nutritional deficiencies with dietary intervention, and the cause of hearing loss with a hearing aid. […] Generally, anyone who experiences any kind of hallucination should seek medical help, as these symptoms can be dangerous.

• #56 Hallucinations and hearing voices | nidirect

  https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/hallucinations-and-hearing-voices

  Hallucinations are where someone sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels things that don’t exist outside their mind. […] Hallucinations are common in people with schizophrenia, and are usually experienced as hearing voices. […] Hearing voices in the mind is the most common type of hallucination in people with mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia. […] Hearing voices is a well-recognised symptom of schizophrenia, dementia or bipolar disorder, but can be unrelated to mental illness. […] The experience is usually very distressing, but it’s not always negative. […] It’s important to be thoroughly assessed and treated early. If your voices are due to schizophrenia, the earlier your treatment is started, the better the outcome. […] Hallucinations can sometimes occur in frail older people who are ill. […] The hallucinations may start before other signs that the person is unwell.

• #57 Hallucinations in Schizophrenia: Different Types Explained

  https://goodhealthpsych.com/blog/types-of-hallucinations-in-schizophrenia/

  Hallucinations in schizophrenia are a common symptom shared by 60% to 80% of sufferers. These individuals hear voices, clinically defined as auditory hallucinations. Visual hallucinations occur in 16% – 72% of patients. […] Hallucinations in schizophrenia are common, causing 60% to 80% of patients to experience visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, or gustatory illusions and/or delusions. […] Auditory and visual hallucinations are by far the most common in patients with schizophrenia. […] Common hallucinations in schizophrenia can last days or weeks. In some rare cases, a person may hallucinate for months. […] Hallucinations occur in varying severities, and episodes may go untreated. A single psychotic episode may not be life-altering, but many patients will suffer in many ways. […] Becoming and being a productive member of a community is extremely challenging for a person that hallucinates. Auditory hallucinations can cause the individual to lack confidence and experience extreme anger or sadness, and concentrating on tasks while multiple voices are talking can be impossible.

• #58 Changes in perception and hallucinations in dementia – Dementia UK

  https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/health-advice/changes-in-perception-and-hallucinations-in-dementia/

  Our senses – hearing, sight, smell, taste and touch – help us understand the world around us. […] But in many people with dementia, the brain misinterprets the information from their senses. This can cause changes in perception, where they experience things differently from other people. […] Some people with dementia have hallucinations. This is where they experience something that is not really happening, like hearing voices (auditory hallucinations) or seeing things that aren’t there (visual hallucinations). Visual hallucinations are more common in people with Lewy body dementia. […] Signs that someone may be experiencing changes in perception or hallucinations include: not recognising where they are, bumping into things or having frequent trips and falls, as if they’re struggling to see objects around them, reacting to things other people can’t see, muttering under their breath, or talking like they’re responding to something you can’t hear, appearing frightened or distressed, scratching or picking their skin as if they itch, becoming more socially isolated.

• #59 Understanding voices – Living With Schizophrenia

  https://livingwithschizophreniauk.org/information-sheets/understanding-voice-hearing/

  Hearing voices, or auditory hallucinations as psychiatrists call them, is a common experience for people living with schizophrenia. […] Voices are often one of the most difficult experiences to cope with and sometimes they can lead to dangerous behaviour. […] For people with schizophrenia the constant assault by persecutory voices can lead to a total defeat of their self esteem. […] Voices that people with schizophrenia hear will often command them to harm themselves or drive them to suicide. […] Persecutory or nasty voices are one of the most common and often one of the most disabling of symptoms for people living with schizophrenia. […] When they are really bad they can prevent you from doing even basic everyday things like getting out of bed and looking after yourself, and at their worst they can drive you to behave in ways that are strange or even dangerous.

• #60 Hearing Voices: Understanding Auditory Hallucinations

  https://www.anxiousminds.co.uk/hearing-voices-auditory-hallucinations/

  The voices I hear can be so overwhelming, it’s like they’re constantly distracting me from the world around me. It’s a constant battle to try and focus on daily tasks and maintain relationships. […] It’s important to address the impact of auditory hallucinations on daily life. This can greatly affect someone’s well-being and ability to function. Support, including counselling, medication, and coping strategies, can help those affected manage their experiences and improve their quality of life.

• #61

  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia

  Schizophrenia is characterised by significant impairments in the way reality is perceived and changes in behaviour related to: […] persistent hallucinations: the person may hear, smell, see, touch, or feel things that are not there; […] At least one third of people with schizophrenia experiences complete remission of symptoms. Some people with schizophrenia experience worsening and remission of symptoms periodically throughout their lives, others a gradual worsening of symptoms over time. […] Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people (0.32%) worldwide. […] People with schizophrenia often experience human rights violations both inside mental health institutions and in community settings. […] During humanitarian and public health emergencies, extreme stress and fear, breakdown of social supports, isolation and disruption of health-care services and supply of medication can occur. These changes can have an impact on the lives of people with schizophrenia, such as exacerbation of existing symptoms.

• #62 Experiences of Hallucinations and Delusions Among Young People With BPD – thewaveclinic.com

  https://thewaveclinic.com/blog/hallucinations-delusions-among-young-people-with-bpd/

  For young people with BPD, hallucinations and delusions can feel scary and distressing. […] The good news is that hallucinations, delusions, and other BPD symptoms are treatable. […] With effective support, young people can learn to manage or reduce psychotic experiences and lead fulfilling daily lives.

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