Post brain injury hallucinations?

[Team-MJ4]

My son, following meningitis and a craniotomy last month, has informed me that he has started seeing a large black figure at the end of his bed whilst he is awake and it's making him fearful to sleep. He has been on anti seizure medication since the incident. So along with possible side effects of the medication, and what I believe could be PTSD from all that has happened, I am wondering if anyone else has experienced visions, or fearful incidences following brain injury. Do headway offer any advice on therapy/CBT/ counselling recommendations? Thanks for reading.

[cat3]

I'm sure Headway will give advice and support. Their details are here if you don't have them already :-

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Contact our helpline free on 0808 800 2244 or [e-mail]

We're open from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. We look forward to hearing from you!

You can also get a wealth of brain injury information and details of Headway services near you on our website at headway.org.uk

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I hope your son's hallucinations will be banished once the root cause is found. A medication issue perhaps ?

Best wishes, Cat x

[gr33nmind]

I saw what I wrote down as being many vampires. I think I may have been misinterpreting the IV. Still I had other bjzzare hallucinations as well. Brain injury can be very traumatic, on your memory and basic thought patterns.

[Leaf100]

HI TeamDo speak with Headway.

I had hallucinations myself, medication related. So has one of my relatives who does not have a brain injury.

The medications involved were amytriptyline , gaba pentin, and pre gabilin also known as Lyrica.

This will vary per person and per medication.

It may or may not be bi related.

Hope it gets sorted soon,

Leaf

[robertbob]

Hi

These could be hypnopompic or hypnogogic hallucinations which occur between sleep and wake state and are fairly common in general population but can increase when under stress and disappear once less stressed.

But still worth checking out with his neurologist as ofc so many things can cause hallucinations.

bw

[ScubaD]

Hi Team-MJ4As far as I am aware the best place to start this conversation is the nurse led help line that Headway have , the number is on their website. Or a visit to doctor's who may refer to a counsellor re changes in personality, coping emotionally etc.

I obtained therapy in past due to tbi and effects, some long term and know from experience that it can be helpful. The therapist needs to be aware of the brain injury, as fatigue and processing can affect one's responses. Been honest about how the brain injury is affecting us is important in moving forward as is seeking support on this journey. My very best wishes,

Debbie

[Notts22]

Hello yes I have problems about twice a month. i have hallucinations which sounds like what your son has.I had Brain hemorrhage 2 years ago. When i started getting hallucinations, figures in black at side of bed some male some female. These did not worry me. Then a couple of months ago it got much worse and did get scared when they went up the wall and a cross the ceiling.

I got in touch with Headway who gave me an article about serious eye problems causing this.

To happen. My optitions said the same. I felt more relaxed about it all then i started to think no i don't think this is right. I have an appointment in 2 months with the Neurologist so i hope i will know more.

Hope that is of some help