Hallucinations : So I need advice... - Anxiety and Depre...

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Hallucinations

dbeck128 profile image
61 Replies

So I need advice. Pretty sure my anxiety is manifesting into a new fear. But at the same time I cant tell!

I'm so SCARED of hallucinations that I think I'm making myself mimic them! 😥 I will look into a room and get scared and imagine someone there even tho I know they're not!!!! But something in my head keeps telling me they're there. And I feel like that's the anxiety.

I'm not sure how hallucinations work, but I'm terrified because I keep thinking about it and sometimes my mind tells me to talk to them. But nothing is there!!! Wtf. :(

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dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128
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61 Replies
mvillarreal profile image
mvillarreal

Do you have a history of hallucinations, or did this start with your fear?

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply tomvillarreal

Only auditory. with zoloft. And only at night. As far as visual, no I have not.

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply todbeck128

To furthermore my answer, I have a deep fear of developing schizophrenia. So I'm on the clock waiting to start hearing and seeing things.

Sounds dumb right? But I cant tell myself its not real because anxiety is so dumb

Pearl67 profile image
Pearl67 in reply todbeck128

Fear of schizophrenia-been there! My mom had it, so I have been terrified off and on for years! I feel you. Basically my counselor said it is a form of hypochondria. Instead of being afraid of say heart palps being a heart attack, you fear schizo. Both Health phobias, one phyaical on mental.

It sounds like your anxiety is tricking you into thinking these things. Challenge your thoughts! Distract yourself-get busy doing things that distract you. If the symptoms are not there when you are busy, then it would seem they are just your mind run amok!

mvillarreal profile image
mvillarreal in reply tomvillarreal

Does your doctor know the Zoloft is doing that to you? It might be good to switch medications if you're still on Zoloft.

I know when I was on Zoloft I had hallucinations. Once I got off the stuff, they went away. I would keep thinking there was someone sitting behind me at work or somebody checking to see if I was busy. Also had some flashes every once in a while

in reply to

Bryan - this happened to me, too!!!!!

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply to

I think it's all on my head but the anxious thoughts wont leave me alone :(

in reply todbeck128

I talked to my therapist about it. He said if you were crazy you wouldn’t be worried lol I promise you’re fine!!

Pearl67 profile image
Pearl67 in reply to

This!!! My mom and sister have/had scizophrenia and when they were flaring bad with hallucinations/paranoia, they NEVER thought they were “off!” All of us were off to them! So, that statement is spot on and can comfort us overthinkers!!!

in reply toPearl67

It’s definitely a common fear. Trust me - I still def fear it and ask for reassurance constantly! Zoloft made me feel weirder than I’ve ever felt and I thought that was schizophrenia. Yay for hypochondria. I hope you’re doing ok! ❤️

Ok we have literally the same fears. I literally got terrified of hallucinations prior to starting Zoloft and then I think I tricked myself into it? I dunno? It’s weird. But maybe it’s Zoloft. I had so many freakin weird things happen while on and tapering off that medicine. You’re not going crazy though.

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply to

Girl I'm scared of everything 😭😭😭😭😭😂😂😂 but I dont know what a real hallucination is! So I don't know what's going on :( thanks for the encouragement though.

in reply todbeck128

Yes! I feel you. Like my bf has 4 cats and sometimes I expect them to be there and mentally picture it so when I look, and they’re not there, it just feels weird. I don’t even know how to explain it. I think it’s the meds/the anxiety

Pearl67 profile image
Pearl67 in reply to

What did you switch to?

in reply toPearl67

I didn’t switch meds — I got traumatized of them so I’m going it natural!

So wild!! I’m glad to be done with!!

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply to

I can relate!!

in reply todbeck128

Have you had side affects from Zoloft or are you taking it?

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply to

When I was taking it and bumped my dose up to 50mg I got auditory only at night. And it's weird because I KNEW I was having them. I wasn't questioning it or not. But idk how visual ones work. 😔😔

in reply todbeck128

I see, did you get the thumping sounds at night? I thought there was a squirrel jumping on my roof.

I know I started on 50 which was rough, then they bumped me to 100 before I could even cope- bad decision. The doctor was almost accusing me of lying to him. Needless to say- I fired him, lol

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply to

Mine were of people whispering in my ear and then it switched to an audience of people. It was so ***** scary. That's why I came off cold Turkey because i was not about to experience that anymore.

in reply todbeck128

That is terrifying. Good for you. May i ask how long you were on Zoloft and came off cold turkey? I was 4+ weeks.

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply to

Maybe 2 months solid.

Pearl67 profile image
Pearl67 in reply todbeck128

Oh my😱 was that terrifying to stop cold turkey😱😱😱??

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply toPearl67

After experiencing that hell in my head, no. I had been thru the worst. Withdrawals have never affected me. I guess I'm lucky for that.

Wow! And no side affects when you stopped? Thanks for answering all my questions. Just curious to know what would of happened if I kept going longer

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply to

Not for me. Probably because I experienced only bad side effects after 50 MG 😂 I didn't care about the withdrawls. I've never had any but at that point I was freaked out. And yw!!

in reply todbeck128

That’s awesome you has no withdrawals!! I didn’t either! I was put on cymbalta right away though- been 2 weeks now with no side affects, keeping my fingers crossed 🙂🙂

Dorkas1 profile image
Dorkas1 in reply to

Can you please let me know boy Cymbalta goes? It’s been prescribed for me and I’m scared to take it.

Pearl67 profile image
Pearl67 in reply toDorkas1

Same.

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128

My question is will this ever get better? My anxiety is so bad. It manifests into every thing in my life. I keep telling myself I'm hallucinating but I know I'm not. I'm scared I'm gonna drive myself crazy. It's a vicious cycle..

Florida1959 profile image
Florida1959

If you talk yourself into it, maybe you can talk yourself out of it, tell your mind not to talk to them etc, self talk dies us a lot of damage, but it can be reversed, all the best, Also

are you on meds?. I know these can impact too?

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply toFlorida1959

Currently I'm on Lamtical 100 MG. It's been great. But I'm afraid I will need more than one medication. I was prescribed seroquel but wont take it due to the reviews, when I go to the doc I am going to be asked to be put a different one.

He also prescribed me klonopin and I read how addictive it was and wont take that either. Also asking for different anxiety meds.

Uncle_Frank profile image
Uncle_Frank

Just to product of an active imagination with a nervous system in overdrive. Wouldn't make too much of it.

I think that your mind can play tricks on you it’s not nice I think ack of sleep can give you hallucinations as well

scotslass333 profile image
scotslass333

I had hallucinations when taking Zopiclone, but lack of sleep was in the mix too. I was pretty depressed at the time too. Now, after years of "straightforward" depression and anxiety, I'm labelled psychotic. Taking quetiapine but admit to being scared of another relapse/episode. I get weird "prod" sensations in my stomach, they are either left side or right, and I've convinced myself that if I ask myself a question, just in my thoughts, and get a prod in response, if it's right side it's a 'yes', left means 'no'. ! Really hard to explain. So glad I'm not alone with weird mental illness, it's helped to read your posts .

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply toscotslass333

This has definitely been a long journey. Last year I decided to get help. Here I am a year later still struggling to find the right medication but I know in due time it's coming

Did it get better for you?

scotslass333 profile image
scotslass333 in reply todbeck128

Yes I do think Quetiapine has helped a bit, but pills are only part of the answer aren't they? Like you I still dread having more hallucinations, it was the most hellish experience. Hope you find something that helps, and remember talking it all through with a professional psychologist/counsellor might really help too. Wishing you all the best.

Meggydo profile image
Meggydo

My daughter had an hallucination last summer. The doctor put it down to her extreme anxiety and lack of sleep. She turned round to be faced by a woman with blonde curly hair, which understandably freaked her out. She ended up locked in her bathroom, scared stiff, phoning me. It's a scary thing to experience. Like you say, trick of the mind.

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply toMeggydo

& did she get better? I'm sorry to hear this. I can imagine the terror you both felt.

Meggydo profile image
Meggydo in reply todbeck128

Hi, thanks for your reply. Thank goodness, she'd had no more hallucinations of anyone there. Like you, the anxiety still there. It's linked in with her ocd. She worries about her rituals not being right, so that raises the anxiety. She often feels, in her words, like being chased, or someone over her shoulder. Meds don't seem to do much for her, so we try to talk about things. That's not easy when your mind is at 90 miles an hour. I've been reading what others have said on this link about the causes of lack of sleep and how anxiety might be helped by grounding techniques or mindfulness. Try anything to see if it helps. It's a problem when we repeat the worry over and over. Have you looked on YouTube at grounding techniques. Might be worth it, I think you have to practice any of these ideas before your anxiety is bad as it might be hard to concentrate on something great when you feel awful.

It's great to share on this site, gives you ideas about things. You are not alone, you are strong. All the best to everyone out there.

JumpingFrog profile image
JumpingFrog

I read about schizophrenia and now panic that I may hear voices. The problem is you can tell yourself don't worry but when your mind is racing it doesn't always work. Try mindfulness and grounding techniques they may help

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply toJumpingFrog

Yes. I have racing thoughts too. So fast and always negative. It sucks

scotslass333 profile image
scotslass333 in reply todbeck128

Me too and yes it does suck! x

Pahasapa profile image
Pahasapa

Hope you are seeing a doctor

cattywamp profile image
cattywamp

I thought I was the only one! I know my brain is just playing tricks on me, but I am always so fearful!! Its the worst. Good luck to everyone though <3

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply tocattywamp

Yes! I didnt think I would get so much support on this post. Sometimes this site is the only people who understands me.

ge99 profile image
ge99

Hi I am sorry you feeling this way, but it is quite a common occurance to feel fear of fear. It seems to keep going around in circles. If you can just slow down and accept what you really can see when you feel frightened, then it will make you feel better. When we are kids we are always seeing monsters, I am sure we feel that way a lot when we are older, but it is just our fear we see, and we can walk away and try to stay calm. Distract yourself and keep yourself busy or go outside and take a walk. You are not going mad you are just over reacting, slow down.

All my best wishes to you x

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply toge99

Thank you. This means so much.

ge99 profile image
ge99 in reply todbeck128

If you like to read, I can recommend The Anxious Therapist to give you ways to lower your anxiety.

Do you do or take anything for your anxiety? If so, if you have had it for a long time on the same dose, you may need it raised to a higher dose, or a new medication. I've had them, but I had the flu and a high fever, so. I'm wondering if it's a form of anxiety attack. Do you meditate? Do you see a therapist at all? You may want to so this doesn't start causing physical symtoms!

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply toSadanxiousspirit76

Do you know when you hallucinate? I'm trying to understand all of this better.

I dont take anything for anxiety as I'm afraid it will sedate me and I hate being sedated. I just want an anxiety medication that will calm me, and let me think clear. Used to take Buspar but it got to where I was drowsy and dead inside. I gave up with that.

Pearl67 profile image
Pearl67 in reply todbeck128

Seems a rather fine line between no/low anxiety and sedation. Keep reaching out!

in reply todbeck128

I may have mentioned this, but have you ever tried propanol? It’s used for a variety of things and know some people who are on it with nothing else. Like most things though, you probably couldn’t abruptly stop taking it though

dbeck128 profile image
dbeck128 in reply to

Is this for anxiety?

in reply todbeck128

Yes, I use it for performance anxiety- when I have to lead meetings or demo a product, but know it’s definitely used full time for anxiety as well. I don’t think there are interaction issues with other drugs either, but you have to check with your doctor. They don’t mind prescribing either as it’s a beta blocker- blocking’s the adrenaline that causes anxiety.

Bryan

U might be schizophrenic

Star990 profile image
Star990

I can honestly say I had the same side effects when I use to take them at a psych ward. I would hear my name being called when no one did and I would just hear little whispers so I always covered one ear to silence them. Once I was done taking them they stopped.

MyHumbleOpinion profile image
MyHumbleOpinion

Right?!? The little old lady with the bug sad eyes who peeks around the cornor...watching quietly disguised as a faint shadow who disappears when she sees you do that double take...Or that person on the other side of the streef when you can feel someone is staring glaring at you Hands on their hips shaking there head in disgust and even angee. SO you keep them just in your peripheral vision because the last thing you want to do is allow them to know you see them. And as move along you can see them turn their whole body with their head daring you to look at them and when you can almost no longer keep them in that view with out making it obvious that your aware they make a sudden lunge like they are going to come after you which automatically makes you give in you look right at them and it's a flipped bush. Hearts pounding and your hoping nobody notices your in fright or flight mode. I wear my sunglasses because it happens to me ALL THE TIME...I don't wa nt people to see how terrified for that Nanos second😑😴When your driving and that body dives out from the side of the road and you slam on the brakes and give the people behind you a break check Nobody was expecting....And nothings there....that one's fun when your the passenger and someone else is at the wheel ...but it's only funny when you can actually see your fright in someone else...so you get the uncontrollable giggles for a minute and they are about ready to kick you out of the car...actually thinking you would do that to someone on purpose. My grandpa would get so pissed off at me..."Oh,Ya think that shit funny do ya." Sometimes now I think it's him messing with my mind from the other side.. I honestly believe that some of it is no hallucination and I'll tell ya why...my dog sees them too.God'S honest truth.I realized it one day and time and time again...I never have been so relieved and so scared at the same time. I don't know if that helps ...it's not even advise I'm just saying I live it every day. The doctor wrote borderline schizophrenia on my evaluation and I am like.... Idk...I see them I hear them ....I smell them.... that others do not... I hear them when I don't see them. Some are scared some are.loud...some are mean sometimes there's many sometimes there one....I know..I sound crazy..my fiance and I were together 15 years he suddenly became I'll and past away 42 years old ..healthy them boom one day doctors say he's gonna die. Any hoo he used to say...Let's just keep that to our selves. (What I just said here , that is.

JumpingFrog profile image
JumpingFrog

It's easy to fall into a belief that your worst fear is coming true. When that happens you need to use a grounding technique. Mindfulness etc.

You can control this have faith in yourself.

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