Hi Destiny -

As much as I 'thought' I knew about my disorders/diseases, this really threw me for a loop:
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Bipolar I disorder can cause hallucinations and delusions, although if you experience them constantly and not just when you're feeling manic you might be looking at schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

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I really only had delusional thinking w/GREAT paranoia... I'm not sure really about hallucinations, although I have, from time-to-time, seen and heard things that I know could not possibly be there... Especially whenever it is my grandmother speaking to me (she passed away on23 June 04)... She constantly is talking to me - whether it be in a dream, in the daytime, in the nighttime - or basically whenever and wherever...

They seem to happen more often during the late hours of the day or whenever I am alone; mania does not have to be present w/my BP-I disorder for her to start talking to me....and I subsequenty talk back.... I got caugt doing this last night, I was stopped - but that didn't 'turn her off' for lack of better words...

.....And for the most-part, I start doing what she is talking to me about - like if she tells me I need to eat, I go and eat... They are normally not anything severe or to the point I am 'way out in left field', but then again, I would have to get confirmation from someoen to either affirm/deny what is truly going on....

I appear to be rambling - my apologies.... but again, you brought up an excellent point as to whether or not I am experiencing another 'trait' of BP-I or if I'm in the schizo. realm....

Hope all is well w/you and take care... Thank you for the insightful post