Hallucinations, to tell or not?

Hi all,
Just a question for those of you who experience visual/auditory hallucinations. Is there any reason to tell my therapist or pdoc that I experience these? They aren't worrisome. Mostly critters (rats, mice, squirrels, spiders), shadow people and the auditory name calling, people talking, music playing etc. I am having increased paranoia about being watched and conspired against, but the visual disturbances aren't scary. They can be startling when I think I'm alone and see someone but I'm not afraid of them.
I am hesitant to bring this up as I always thought as long as you were aware the hallucinations weren't real you couldn't be in psychosis. My therapist says this isn't necessarily true. I am definitely hypomanic atm and the only thing I can think bringing this up would do is:
A. get more meds prescribed (no thanks)
B. hospital (no thanks)
For those of you with similar experiences what was the result of telling? Good, bad, indifferent?

I think you just talk about it. Say no thank you to more meds and to hospital - you know they're not real. And you can let pdoc know in future if they become troublesome for you. They can't hospitalize you against your will unless you're in immediate danger to self or others, that's the rule where I live. I should say I have almost checked myself in to hospital before. I think you'll be ok telling doc about it.

I deal with hallucinations daily, both ! It's not uncommon to have them according to my pdoc he thinks alot of people are afraid to tell there Doctors. We ( me ,T, Pdoc) agreed as long as I am not worried about them.. no need to treat, If I start to question them I have an AP I can take for a day or 2.

I'm fine about telling my Pdoc and T .. My pdoc works with me about how we treat my Bipolar. I stand up for myself, it's my life my health.

Thanks for the replies. Reassuring to hear! I really don't feel like they're a big deal and would hate to bring them up and have them blown out of proportion.

I think your doctor needs to know, if for no other reason than to be able to help you faster and better if you're ever in a crisis. The hallucinations may not bother you now, but they have a way of turning on people later on down the road. I'm glad you understand that they aren't real, but at the same time, they are NOT a normal part of bipolar disorder.

JMHO.......your mileage may vary.

I would bring it up but let them know you're aware of what they are and that they don't bother you. I have both types but rarely. Once every few months, really. I am more concerned about delusions than hallucinations. Hallusincations are much easier to reality check than delusions. So, keep an eye on that paranoia. As long as you can tell that's what it is, then I think you're okay.

Hello sweetdee! I'd say it depends on how good your relationship with your T and pdoc is. If you're paranoid about them and the relationship is so-so it's not necessarily a good thing to tell them. It could increase your paranoia. But you should aim to be open about it, especially if it becomes or could become a problem for you.

I have the same question. I used to hear people tell me how horrible I was or call my name when I was really depressed, but now I mostly hear my phone ring when it's on silent and I got no new messages and the school clock chime when I'm a) not in range of it or b) not anywhere near when it's supposed to chime. Should I tell my pdoc/T this?

Mandrec, relationship with both is very new. I have just recently restarted therapy and picked up with a new pdoc after doing the whole "I don't need meds, I don't need therapy" song and dance against the advice of previous pdoc. Needless to say I ended up right where I was before which is what drove me back to seeking help.
My prior experience I was very closed off, which was not helpful to progress at all. I've been trying to be as open as possible this go around. I really like this T I've found. However, last session with T he mentions as long as I'm not seeing spiders crawling out of his mirror I'm doing alright. I think he was just being funny but it hit closer to home than I'm sure he realized, and it made me concerned that I need to watch what I say. If so, not a big deal. He still has a lot of wonderful insight to provide and I'll just keep my eccentricities to myself. I may be more apt to bring this up with the pdoc as they probably hear this much more.

I believe you should at least tell your pdoc. If you are having hallucinations then your medications are not doing what they should be doing and need to be changed. Your pdoc can't help you if you are not honest with him.

Again, thanks for all the input. I think I may have been confused. I always thought this type of thing was just part of it. My last go around even on 30 mg. of Abilify I still had these.

I get them too. But haven't lately since my Zyprexa has been upped.

Speaking of which.... lastnight I was convinced that the ceiing was cracked and that the light fixture was dancing like a flame. Ha, I remembered that my ceiling is just fine and reminded myself that the light fixture couldn't move. So I ignored it.

Uhm, in my limited experience with pdocs, the moment you mention it, they up the meds or add an AP if you're not on 1 already. And I'm sorry but from my angle its just not worth it if it doesn't cause any distress or pose any danger to your reality.

If it is distressing, then definitly mention it.