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Hallucinations: Symptoms & Signs

  • Medical Author:
    Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

    Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

Medically Reviewed on 4/10/2018

Hallucinations are sensations that appear to be real but are created within the mind. Examples include seeing things that are not there, hearing voices or other sounds, experiencing body sensations like crawling feelings on the skin, or smelling odors that are not there. Hallucinations can be a feature of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and are also very common in drug-induced states and in drug withdrawal. This occurs with a number of different drugs. People who are seriously ill, such as those with liver failure or kidney failure, can experience hallucinations. High fevers can also produce hallucinations in some people. Hallucinations can accompany other psychotic symptoms such as delusions and disconnection from reality. They can be temporary or persist over the long term, depending upon the exact type of hallucinations and their cause.

REFERENCE:

Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 4/10/2018

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Causes of Hallucinations

Other Causes of Hallucinations

  • Brain Trauma
  • Charles Bonnet Syndrome
  • Delirium
  • Delusional Disorder
  • Drug-Induced Psychosis
  • Liver Failure
  • LSD Use
  • Peduncular Hallucinosis
  • Sleep Disturbances
  • Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
  • Toxins

Examples of Medications for Hallucinations

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