Q: Which doctor should I consult for hallucinations?
A: Hallucinations can be best understood by a psychiatrist as many mental illnesses and disorders due to substance abuse and addiction can be treated by a psychiatrist. Further, the psychiatrist is also well versed with organic and neurological causes of hallucinations and can prescribe antipsychotic medications for the same.
Q: Does dehydration cause hallucinations?
A: Very severe dehydration can cause confusion and weakness and sometimes hallucinations, too. This occurs as brain receives very little blood flow and may further lead to coma, organ failure and even death.
Q: Can hallucinations occur as a precursor to migraine or epilepsy?
A: Yes. Usually, visual hallucinations are reported to occur as an “aura” or precursor to migraine and tactile or olfactory hallucinations are common before an epileptic attack.
Q: Can extreme stress trigger hallucinations?
A: Extreme stress, extreme fatigue and anxiety trigger the mind to play tricks and manipulate the perception of situation to find peace. Sleep deprivation, exhaustion (both physical and emotional) are known to cause hallucinations.
Q: Do hallucinations occur only in mental illnesses?
A: Hallucinations can occur in normal people if a hallucinogenic drug is ingested or if the individual is excessively tired, stressed, febrile or dehydrated. Hallucinations also can occur in various neurological illnesses like Parkinson’s disease, dementia, epilepsy and advanced brain tumor. Hallucinations are common in psychotic disorders like major depressive psychosis and schizophrenia.
Q: Do hallucinations occur in the elderly or in children?
A: Hallucinations in the elderly are often seen in persons with dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Hallucinations in children occur in patients with childhood schizophrenia. Sometimes, very high fever in children also can cause hallucinations.
