Hallucinations and delusions are common occurrence in people than previously assumed, says a new research. Hearing voices and seeing things others cannot impact about five percent of the general population at some point in their lives.
"We used to think that only people with psychosis heard voices or had delusions, but now we know that otherwise healthy, high-functioning people also report these experiences," said professor John McGrath from the University of Queensland, Australia. "Of those who have these experiences, a third only have them once and another third only have two-to-five episodes across their life. These people seem to function reasonably well," McGrath said.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations or false perceptions, are often associated with mental disorders and neurological disorders. In the elderly, it occurs with dementia and auditory hallucinations are most common.
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The study was done on over 31,000 people from 19 countries.
"These people were representative of the general population, not seeking mental health assistance," McGrath said.
Auditory hallucinations are more common in women than men, and they are also more common in people from wealthier countries. The findings could help generate new research into the causes of these isolated symptoms.
![Delusions]( "Delusions")
Delusions are firm beliefs by the person of something that is not logically or practically possible. The cause of delusions is believed to be unrealistic expectation and reasoning of a situation.
"We need to rethink the link between hearing voices and mental health - it's more subtle than previously thought," McGrath said. "People should be reassured that there isn't anything necessarily wrong with them if it happens once or twice, but if people are having regular experiences, we recommend that they seek help," McGrath added.
The study appeared in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
Source: Medindia
Auditory hallucinations are more common in women than men, and they are also more common in people from wealthier countries. The findings could help generate new research into the causes of these isolated symptoms.
Delusions
Delusions are firm beliefs by the person of something that is not logically or practically possible. The cause of delusions is believed to be unrealistic expectation and reasoning of a situation.
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"We need to rethink the link between hearing voices and mental health - it's more subtle than previously thought," McGrath said. "People should be reassured that there isn't anything necessarily wrong with them if it happens once or twice, but if people are having regular experiences, we recommend that they seek help," McGrath added.
The study appeared in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
Source: Medindia
Drinking Over Five Cups of Joe Leads to Hallucinations
A new study conducted by researchers from La Trobe University in Melbourne suggests that drinking over five cups of coffee a day could lead to hallucinations.
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 Brain Activity Behind Delusions TracedSchizophrenics could experience greater brain activity during one particular type of delusion called delusion of reference. | Advertisement
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