Question

What is hallucination?

Hint:

Remember to distinguish between a hallucination (a false perception) and a delusion (a false belief). Hallucinations are sensory, while delusions are cognitive.

Answer 1

A hallucination is a sensory experience that appears real but is created by the mind. It is a perception in the absence of an external stimulus. Hallucinations can affect any of the five senses:

Auditory hallucinations: Hearing sounds or voices that no one else hears (most common in schizophrenia).

Visual hallucinations: Seeing things that are not there, such as people, objects, or lights.

Olfactory hallucinations: Smelling odors that are not present.

Gustatory hallucinations: Experiencing tastes that have no source.

Tactile hallucinations: Feeling sensations on the body, like something crawling on the skin or being touched, in the absence of a stimulus.

Hallucinations can be symptoms of mental health disorders (like schizophrenia), substance use, or neurological conditions.