Hallucinations

Hallucination is a term used when you hear, see, feel, smell or taste things that other people don't.

This can be a symptom of mental illness, severe stress or grieving. It's also common to have unusual sensory experiences because you are physically unwell. For example, you might notice them:

During a high fever
After having surgery
As a side effect of medication
If you have an infection
After taking drugs
As a reaction to trauma or when a close relative dies.

If you have just started to have hallucinations, it's important to contact your GP or speak to a trusted adult who can help you access medical advice to find out the underlying cause.

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All You Need to Know

Hallucinations are when you hear, see, smell, taste or feel things that appear to be real but only exist in your mind. It can feel like you are dreaming while you are awake, or that you are going crazy!

You may have hallucinations if you:
- Hear sounds or voices that no one else hears
- See things that others can't
- Feel movements in your body, or touch, like bugs crawling on your skin - but no one else can see them.
While hallucinations can make you feel paranoid, frightened and unsettled, they aren't always negative experiences. Some people feel comfort from the voices or visions they hear and see.
It can feel confusing when you see or hear things that aren't real. You might worry about your mental health or question your sanity, but experiencing hallucinations doesn't mean you have a mental health condition.

Hallucinations may happen after:
- Being abused, bullied or hurt by someone
- Having gone through trauma
- Taking illegal drugs
- You have had very little sleep
- Having a very high temperature.
Find out more about hallucinations
If you notice you are hearing and seeing things frequently, it's important to see your GP or speak to a trusted adult who can help you access medical advice.

You might not always know or understand the reason why you've hallucinated, but it could be a sign of physical or mental illness. Your GP will be able to give you advice and help you to understand any underlying causes.
When you are hearing things or seeing things it can be unsettling and feel difficult to cope. Try

Talking to someone

It will allow you to get your feelings off your chest and feel like you are being heard. If you don't want to speak to your friends or family face to face, you could try writing it in a letter or speaking to someone independent like the Childline or Kooth counsellors.

Distracting yourself

Focus on things you enjoy to distract from voices or visions, like music, films or being creative. You could try mindfulness activities and breathing techniques if you feel particularly stressed.

Keep healthy

Exercise regularly and eat healthy food to support your physical and mental health. It can also help to meet up with friends or do activities you enjoy to keep you busy.

Grounding

Focus on things right now. It can help you to cope when you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed or upset. It can help to focus on questions, or objects in front of you.

Find tips on how to ground yourself
Hallucinations can be a symptom of mental illness, however, they are far more common symptoms of being physically ill. If your voices or visions are interfering with your behaviour or relationships, then this may be a sign of mental illness.

For some people, hallucinations can be a sign of psychosis, which would need to be assessed by a mental health service. The service would discuss other mental health illnesses like schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder, along with asking you about any lifestyle choices that could also have an effect on your symptoms.

Find out more about psychosis here

Who Can Help?

You can talk to your parents or carers, or a trusted adult within your school or setting, or any trusted friend.

If you are over 16 you can contact the NHS Talking Therapies Service Norfolk and Waveney (known as Wellbeing Service) on 0300 123 1503 (9am – 5pm).

Kooth offers online counselling, advice and emotional well-being support for 10 to 18-year-olds, seven days a week until 10pm.

Voice Collective are a national charity who support young people who see, hear or sense things that others don't.

You can contact Childline for online chat support or call 0800 1111. Childline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can talk to them any time. But they might not be able to talk for as long when it’s after midnight.

If you live in Norfolk:

If you're 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for anonymous and confidential advice and guidance from a health professional. Chat Health is available Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.

You can also contact the Norfolk Healthy Child Programme by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

If you live in Waveney:

You can call the Suffolk School Nursing service on 0345 607 8866 or email childrenshealth@suffolk.gov.uk.

Urgent Mental Health Support

For 24/7 immediate advice, support and signposting for anyone with mental health difficulties please contact 111 and select the mental health option.

If you feel someone's life is at risk or they cannot be kept safe, call 999 or go to A&E.