When Your Loved One Hallucinates
When your loved one has a hallucination, it can be disturbing to both them and you. Your family member sees something they insist is real, and it isn't there. But to them, it's genuine and frightening.
Causes of Hallucinations
A hallucination can appear for many reasons, which makes finding the source difficult. The illusion can arise because of a bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia. But if the psychiatric disorders have been dismissed, then other medical reasons can be investigated. Below are some other causes of hallucinations:
- Alzheimer’s disease or dementia: One of the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is hallucinations.
- Medication side effects: Some drugs are used to treat movement disorders, mental disorders, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and even certain antibiotics, which can cause hallucinations.
- Delirium: After surgery or having a UTI can produce delirium hallucinations.
- Dehydration: The brain can malfunction when the body isn't adequately hydrated, which can cause hallucinations and lethargy.
- Charles Bonnet Syndrome: If your loved one has partial or severe blindness, this condition can cause a visual hallucination.
- Illness: Illnesses such as liver or kidney failure or brain cancer can cause hallucinations.
- Bereavement: One in three widows and widowers may experience hallucinations after their spouse has passed away.
- Drug or alcohol abuse, hearing or vision loss: Any of these could cause your loved one to have a hallucination.
Symptoms of Hallucinations
If you aren’t observing your loved one carefully, you may not even know the person is having a hallucination. Plus, your loved one may be embarrassed they are seeing or hearing things that aren’t there and don’t say anything. But there are some symptoms you can be aware of:
- Anxiety, irritability, changes in moods and behavior
- Confusion and memory lapse, reduced a sense of judgment, heightening a sense of awareness, delusions
- Insomnia, withdrawal, difficulty expressing their thoughts or speaking
- Talking to people or about things that aren’t there
What to Do
When you are aware that your family member is seeing and hearing things, you need to get them to a doctor. Once the doctor has made a diagnosis, some treatments can eliminate or reduce the hallucinations. It will also help to have your loved one’s eyesight and hearing checked.
But if the hallucinations continue, then you need to go along with it. The hallucinations are very real to your family member. Try to find a solution, show empathy, and support. Too, you can create distractions by trying to shift focus to something the person enjoys, such as a game of cards or listening to their favorite music.
If your loved one asks if you see or hear anything, be honest. Tell them that you know they are seeing and hearing something, but you don't. This way, you don't start an argument.
A routine is always better for a person suffering from hallucinations. The routine is familiar, and they know what to expect without any surprises. Plus, make sure their environment is comfortable. Putting signs on doors, good lighting, and large clocks can help to prevent confusion, which could lead to a hallucination.
You can suggest a walk or gently pat the person's hand to put their attention on you can reduce the hallucination. Always respond in a calm, gentle manner. Also, cover mirrors with a cloth or even remove them if your family member thinks they are seeing someone in the mirror. Remember, you may not see or hear anything, but to your loved one, what they are seeing is very real. People who are experiencing hallucinations should not be left alone. We here at Right at Home can supply in-home care for your loved one who is hallucinating. If you can’t be home and need help with care, call us today.
