Hallucinations are waking sensory representations of information that does not exist. They usually involve seeing, hearing or felling things that are not present, although smells and tastes may also be hallucinated. According to a fact sheet provided by Medline Plus, an online medical encyclopedia, "In some cases, hallucinations may be normal. For example, hearing the voice of, or briefly seeing, a loved one who has recently died can be a part of the grieving process." A hallucination can, however, be the result of a condition causing irregular activity in the brain and should be examined by an appropriate medical professional.
Temporal Lobe Seizure
Medline Plus defines a seizure as "an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain that can cause loss of, or reduced, consciousness; involuntary movements; and unusual sensations." The temporal lobe is a two-part area of the brain that manages short-term memory, as well as emotive and auditory response. Disruption in its proper function could cause one to experience extreme emotions, ranging from joy to terror. During the initial stage of a temporal lobe seizure, people often spontaneously detect strange tastes and smells. Sounds or music may also be heard. Temporal lobe seizures may be brought on by damage or scarring in the brain, usually created by injury or disease. Episodes may occur as a one time event or represent a persistent condition.
Alzheimers
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative neurological condition, characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function. Alterations in brain activity caused by the disease may produce hallucinatory effects. A fact sheet from the Alzheimer's Association declares that "Individuals may see the face of a former friend in a curtain or may see insects crawling on their hand. In other cases, they may hear people talking to them and may even talk to the imagined person." Only a medical examination can determine the proper long-term method of treatment.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a psychotic condition, marked by a general separation from reality. Symptoms may include disorganized thoughts, hallucinations, delusions and scattered movement. Many schizophrenics hear imaginary voices and may also experience visual hallucinations. Common with schizophrenia are voices that critically narrate events in the person's life, talk between each other or command the patient to take certain actions. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia "affects about 1.1 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year." Hallucinatory episodes of schizophrenia can oftentimes be controlled with psychiatric medications. The direct causes of schizophrenia are largely unknown. Though, among the list of possible attributing factors are heredity, brain chemistry and the suffering of trauma.
