Hallucinosis is a group of mental disorders that are linked by the occurrence of hallucinations (hallucinations). Depending on the cause of the disorder, the patient may hear voices commanding suicide or be convinced that parasites are walking on their body. What are the causes and symptoms of hallucinosis? What is its treatment?

Hallucinosisis a syndromeof mental disorders , the dominant symptom of which ishallucinations(hallucinations ), i.e. sensual perceptions of things that do not exist in reality. These can be auditory, visual, taste, olfactory and sensory hallucinations. Depending on the causes of hallucinosis, there are several types of hallucinosis:

  • alcohol hallucinosis
  • parasitic hallucinosis (tactile hallucinosis, parasitic insanity)
  • organic hallucinosis
  • peduncular hallucinosis

Hallucinosis - causes

  • alcoholic hallucinosis - is a group of symptoms that appear as a result of stopping drinking or reducing the amount of alcohol consumed long-term and / or in large amounts;
  • parasitic hallucinosis (tactile hallucinosis, Ekbom's syndrome) - most often develops on the basis of organic damage to the central nervous system. This disorder most often affects elderly single women, who often live in social isolation, with a low socioeconomic status, and low education. It can also occur in people who use drugs chronically, such as cocaine or methamphetamine;
  • organic hallucinosis - not caused by external factors;
  • peduncular hallucinosis (Lhermitte pedunculatory syndrome - organic brain injuries (damage to the limbs of the cerebellum and bridge);

Hallucinosis - symptoms

1. Alcoholic hallucinosis

Acute alcohol hallucinosis occurs with abstinence, usually 1-2 days after stopping drinking.

  • auditory hallucinations - the patient begins to hear voices, usually familiar (e.g. family members, friends), which accuse him, threaten him, order him or comment on his behavior
  • sensory hallucinations - the patient has the impression that something is walking on his body;
  • persecutory delusions - the patient may claim that he or she is being followed, spied on, eavesdropped on;
  • depressed mood, evenaggression;

After symptoms of acute alcohol hallucinosis have resolved, you may developWernicke hallucinosis , or chronic alcoholic hallucinosis. It may take several months or even years. Other alcoholic psychoses include alcohol paranoia (Othello syndrome) or Korsakoff's psychosis, and even alcoholic dementia.

2. Parasitic hallucinosis

The patient is convinced that there are parasites, insects, etc. on the skin or under it. The patient may try to remove them, which often results in self-injury. This type of hallucinosis can turn into parasitic paranoia ( paranoia parasitaria ) when patients become delusional about a parasitic disease.

3. Organic hallucinosis

In this case, visual or auditory hallucinations are also characteristic. However, organic hallucinosis differs from other types of hallucinoses in that the patient is often aware of the nature of his own observations, and thus he is aware of his illness.

4. Pediatric hallucinosis

This type of hallucinations is characterized by visual hallucinations of a special nature, the so-called stalk hallucinations. The sick person sees tiny people and things. Everything around is tiny. In addition, it is poor in color. Most episodes last a few seconds and occur at dusk or in the dark.

Hallucinosis - treatment

Treatment of hallucinosis is an individual matter. A patient with an alcoholic hallucinosis should be referred to rehab and given antipsychotic medications. Treatment in a closed institution is necessary, especially when "voices" tell him to commit suicide or the patient mutilates himself.

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Category:

Psychiatry