At American Detox and Treatment, we specialize in treatment programs specifically for military veterans and first responders. While we offer treatment for anyone in need, we also provide separate treatment pathways for those who serve their country. With these separate pathways, clients receive detox and inpatient services designed from a trauma-informed perspective. These therapies can help address PTSD and hallucinations.
Can PTSD Cause Hallucinations?
Studies indicate that there is a strong correlation between post-traumatic stress disorder and hallucinations. But what does this mean?
Those who experience traumatic events, witness those events, or even hear about them happening to a loved one are at high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. This happens when the stress following that trauma doesn’t go away, gets worse with time, and causes a series of symptoms.
PTSD Symptoms and Hallucinations
When you get a diagnosis of PTSD, “hallucinations” are not one of the categories. That said, it is not uncommon for people to experience what are called flashbacks, where they believe that they are back in the traumatic event when, in fact, they are not. Triggers can cause nightmares and flashbacks that function very similarly to hallucinations.
Hallucinations in a medical sense can be auditory or visual.
So, sometimes, clients with PTSD might have auditory hallucinations where they hear noises associated with their trauma in real time when those noises don’t actually exist. This could be:
- The sounds of war or friends screaming for a veteran
- The sounds of a car accident, with violent crashes
- The sounds of people begging for help or yelling in a crowd for first responders
These types of hallucinations are not uncommon and are a regular symptom of PTSD.
Getting Treatment
Can PTSD cause hallucinations? Yes. But for some people those hallucinations might be triggered by the PTSD, but be associated with another Mental Health condition.
In any case, getting the right treatment can ensure you have better control over things like flashbacks, auditory hallucinations, and nightmares.
At our facility, we provide trauma-informed care that gives you more control over the treatment you receive, creates a safe space for your recovery, and provides the privacy and support you need during a challenging time.
Learn More About PTSD Treatment
At American Detox and Treatment, we work hard to provide a comprehensive program for veterans and first responders with trauma-informed care. Part of that care can include working to address PTSD and hallucinations.
Call our team today at 1-877-834-0775 to get help.
FAQs
Can hallucinations exist with PTSD?
According to the DSM 5, hallucinations are not part of the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. However, that does not mean that you cannot experience hallucinations from PTSD. More and more, hallucinations are being documented with PTSD, with trauma triggers linked to hallucinations.Â
What kind of hallucinations can be caused by PTSD?
In most reported cases, auditory hallucinations are associated with PTSD, noted among 50% of people with diagnosed PTSD. In some cases, intrusive thoughts and flashbacks can be considered forms of visual hallucinations, too.Â
What is the most common form of hallucination?
The most common form of hallucinations includes auditory hallucinations, where you hear sounds. These sounds can be positive, negative, or even neutral, but with PTSD, auditory hallucinations may often be linked to the trauma, hearing sounds related to traumatic events.Â
How to help someone who is hallucinating?
If you have a loved one who is experiencing PTSD and hallucinations, you can help them in the moment by gently bringing their attention back to elements in reality, like sounds, sights, or smells. Speaking gently to a loved one can help offer reassurance during these times so long as approaching them does not put you in any physical harm. Long term, however, it is best to encourage them to get professional treatment for their symptoms. You can call our team to learn about the programs we offer and discuss those offerings with your loved one during a time when they are not hallucinating.Â
If I hallucinate, do I have schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia without trauma, comorbid schizophrenia, and PTSD have been linked to auditory hallucinations. This means you may experience hallucinations associated with a variety of mental health conditions. The good news is that treatment makes it possible to mitigate or manage these symptoms. With our team at American Detox & Treatment, we can go over your options.Â
Can PTSD turn into schizophrenia?
PTSD and schizophrenia are distinct mental health conditions. They do, however, have a lot of overlap in symptoms and, in some cases, can exacerbate the symptoms of the other. If you are experiencing PTSD, it is important to get treatment as soon as possible to manage and improve your symptoms.Â
What is the difference between a hallucination and a delusion?
Hallucinations are sensory perceptions, things like sounds and sights that seem real to you, even though there are no external stimuli to cause those sounds or sights. In effect, you are seeing or hearing things that you think are real, right in front of you or around you, but are not. Delusions, by comparison, are false beliefs that you hold on to despite seeing evidence to the contrary.Â
For example, someone with PTSD might hear the sounds of bombs going off when there are no bombs as a form of hallucination, whereas someone who is delusional might believe they can fly despite all evidence to the contrary. The belief in their flight abilities is not tied to a sound or sight that isn’t real, but it is, nonetheless, an incorrect belief.Â
How do you get rid of PTSD hallucinations?
PTSD hallucinations can be dealt with through professional treatment. Sometimes, this includes antipsychotic prescriptions to manage the hallucinations while you are participating in therapy. Long-term, if your hallucinations are associated with PTSD, our experiential therapies can help you process that underlying trauma so that it can be stored properly in your brain and no longer cause the disruptions, triggers, flashbacks, and nightmares. We can discuss your options when you reach out to our team.Â
