What is a hallucination?

A hallucination is when you see, hear, feel, taste or smell something that isn't really there.

It's important to understand that hallucinations feel very real to the person experiencing them.

Hallucinations are not the same as delusions. Delusions are false ideas or beliefs that someone holds onto, even when there is evidence that they are false.

Types of hallucinations

Hallucinations can affect any of your five senses. One of the most common types is hearing voices.

You may be experiencing a hallucination if you:

• hear sounds or voices that no one else hears — these are called hearing or auditory hallucinations. They can seem to be inside or outside your head. You might hear voices giving hurtful commands or ongoing comments.
• see things that are not really there, like objects, shapes, people or lights — these are called visual hallucinations
• smell or taste things when there is no clear reason — these are called olfactory hallucinations (smell) or gustatory hallucinations (taste)
• feel touch or movement on or inside your body that is not real, like bugs crawling on your skin or your organs moving around — these are called tactile hallucinations (skin) or visceral hallucinations (organs)
• think that your body is moving when it is really not, like flying or floating — these are called kinaesthetic hallucinations

Other types of hallucinations can happen when you are:

• falling asleep — these are called hypnagogic hallucinations
• waking up from sleep — these are called hypnopompic hallucinations

What causes a hallucination?

Hallucinations can happen for several reasons. Some health conditions can affect how the senses work and lead to hallucinations. Using drugs or alcohol can also cause them. In some cases, hallucinations may occur when the brain has difficulty correctly processing memories and images.

Medical causes of hallucinations

Medical causes of hallucinations include:

• high fever and infections
• dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease or Lewy body dementias
• vision loss, like in Charles Bonnet syndrome
• epilepsy
• Parkinson's disease
• migraine

Mental health causes of hallucinations

Some mental health conditions that may cause hallucinations include:

• schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
• severe or certain types of depression
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Hallucinations caused by use of drugs and alcohol

Visual hallucinations can happen when you are under the influence of drugs or when you stop using them.

Tactile hallucinations are common when you take too much of a stimulant drug. You feel something on your skin that seems to come from bugs under the skin. These are often called 'ice bugs' or 'cocaine bugs'.

Visual, tactile and auditory hallucinations can happen during alcohol withdrawal.

Hallucinations caused by illegal drugs usually start quickly and last until the drug leaves the body. They can sometimes last for days, weeks, months or longer.

Other causes of hallucinations

Sometimes, taking medicines can cause or worsen hallucinations, especially in older people. Do not stop taking a medicine without speaking to your doctor first.

Other possible causes are anaesthesia or intense emotions like stress or grief.

When should I see my doctor?

If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others, call triple zero (000).

See your doctor or mental health professional if you think you or someone you know is having hallucinations.

For many people, hearing or seeing things that are not real can be upsetting and worrying. Your doctor or a mental health professional will help you work out what is causing the problem and the best way to manage it.

When to seek urgent care

Get help right away if you or someone you know:

• wants to harm you or another person
• hears voices telling you to harm you or another person
• has hallucinations that are worsening fast
• is very agitated or aggressive
• suddenly becomes very confused or doesn't make sense when talking

How is a hallucination treated?

Treatment for hallucinations depends on the cause.

Hallucinations that are caused by something temporary, like high fever, dehydration or infection, will go away once the problem is treated.

Treatment for hallucinations can include:

• medicines such as antipsychotics or mood stabilisers
• psychological therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

If you're taking medicine for hallucinations, keep taking it unless your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping the medicine suddenly can make the hallucinations worse.

Self-care at home

Having a support network of friends, family and healthcare professionals to support you is the most effective way to recover from a mental health condition.

Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes, like drinking less alcohol, not using drugs and getting more sleep to reduce your hallucinations.

Here are some tips that may help people with ongoing medical or mental health problems who hallucinate:

• Talk about your experience with others who can understand.
• Try relaxation techniques to improve your wellbeing.
• Join support groups, like the Hearing Voices Support Group.
• Accept that your long-term medical problem is a part of who you are.

Medicines for hallucinations

Medicines that can help reduce hallucinations if you have an ongoing medical condition include:

• antipsychotic medicines, for people living with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• various medicines for people living with bipolar disorder
• cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine, for people living with dementia

Other treatment options

For older people who cannot use certain medicines, other treatments like electrical or magnetic therapies may be used.

What are the complications of a hallucination?

Complications caused by ongoing hallucinations include:

• interruptions to school, work and friendships
• anxiety, restlessness, trouble sleeping and poor appetite

Can a hallucination be prevented?

While not all hallucinations can be prevented, there are some things you can do to help lower the chance of a hallucination happening to you or a loved one.

• See your doctor for regular check-ups to help find triggers, like mental health conditions or side effects from medicines.
• Install good lighting to help you see your surroundings clearly.
• Check for sounds that could be confused as an auditory hallucination, like noise from a TV or a machine.
• Watch for any changes in behaviour to find possible triggers.
• Keep your surroundings, routine and caregivers as familiar as you can.

Resources and support

• Find out more about the Hearing Voices Support Group, which holds regular online sessions.
• Medicare Mental Health services provide free, confidential mental health and wellbeing support for anyone in Australia. Call 1800 595 212 to connect.
• Learn about support and services provided by:
  • Beyond Blue
  • Black Dog Institute

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Languages other than English

• Embrace Multicultural Mental Health offers mental health resources and information translated into more than 30 languages.
• Call the Telephone Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450 and ask the interpreter to call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for crisis support.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• Speak with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter by calling 13YARN on 13 92 76.
• Chat online with Yarn Safe by headspace (for people aged 12 to 25 years).