Does Anxiety Cause Hallucinations?
January 9, 2024 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Anxiety itself typically does not cause hallucinations. Hallucinations involve perceiving things that are not present or real, such as seeing, hearing, feeling, or smelling something that others do not experience.
While anxiety doesn’t directly cause hallucinations, severe anxiety or panic attacks might create intense feelings of distress, which can result in sensory perceptions that feel unusual or distorted. These perceptions, however, are usually related to heightened sensitivity or hyper-awareness rather than true hallucinations.
Hallucinations are more commonly associated with conditions such as schizophrenia, certain types of substance abuse, severe sleep deprivation, neurological disorders, or some specific medical conditions. However, extreme stress or anxiety might exacerbate existing conditions or cause brief, transient experiences that could be mistaken for hallucinations.
If someone is experiencing symptoms that resemble hallucinations or other unusual sensory perceptions due to anxiety or stress, it’s essential to seek professional help. A mental health professional or healthcare provider can assess the symptoms, provide an accurate diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatment or coping strategies.