Quote:
Originally Posted by Verity81
There are many reasons behind hallucinations, not just psychosis. I had vivid hypnogogic hallucinations as a child and still sometimes have them now. It's due to a malfunction of REM sleep that occurs as your falling asleep or as your waking up.
Sometimes meds can cause them, migraines, other medical conditions, stress. Many religious people see them as a part of their faith, I believe it is possible to hear God as do many people. I think it does depend on whether the hallucinations cause distress or impairment in functioning. If you are still concerned it maybe worth speaking to a pdoc.
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The first stage was very similar to schizophrenia IMO. I thought a huge conspiracy was spying on me and trying to make me go crazy because I had accidentally offended them. I had hallucinations at least once a day, but they were little hallucinations with less religious symbolism. Like I remember seeing glowing symbols all over somebody.
After a couple of weeks that first stage faded away without medication. The next stage was much more interesting religious-themed hallucinations, but they only happened once a month or so. That stage gradually faded away too after a year or so.
A few years ago I mentioned these religious experiences to a therapist that I was seeing for a different problem. She educated me about psychosis which was very helpful. Unfortunately she hurt my feelings and caused me to become depressed, so I decided to not go back.
I tried to see another therapist, and the first session seemed very promising. Unfortunately I started getting an anxiety attack and after a few days I told her about the anxiety and that I didn't understand but I couldn't cope with it right now. She was very understanding.
The anxiety seems to be triggered by woo woo. I'm sort of superstitious now even though I don't like being that way.