Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Dr. Galen. Please find the response to your query below:
Experiencing vivid images or sounds that feel real, even when they’re not, can be quite unsettling. These sensations, known as hallucinations, can affect various senses, including sight, sound, and touch. Hallucinations can arise from several causes, making it important to understand potential sources to manage them effectively. High levels of stress and anxiety, for instance, can sometimes distort normal sensory input, making common sounds or sights feel exaggerated, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Sleep deprivation is another contributing factor, with extreme fatigue sometimes resulting in vivid hallucinations. Mental health conditions can also lead to hallucinations. For example, psychotic disorders like schizophrenia may cause the brain to perceive stimuli that aren’t there, while severe depression or bipolar disorder may bring on psychotic symptoms. Dissociative episodes, in which a person feels detached from reality, may also involve these vivid sensory experiences.
Certain medications, including those prescribed for mental health conditions, occasionally cause hallucinations as side effects, so it may be helpful to discuss your current medications, like Zoloft, with your doctor. Alcohol or drug use, or even withdrawal from these substances, can lead to vivid sensory experiences. Additionally, neurological conditions, such as epilepsy or migraines, can sometimes cause sensory distortions or hallucinations.
I recommend reaching out to a healthcare provider for an evaluation, particularly as these experiences are frequent. A doctor or mental health professional can help pinpoint the cause, whether related to medication, mental health, or other factors. Keeping track of triggers and noting when these experiences occur—whether linked to stress, fatigue, or specific settings—can assist your provider in identifying patterns. As you’re already on medications like Zoloft and propranolol, it’s worth discussing these symptoms with your doctor, who may adjust your medication if necessary. Managing stress through mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation techniques may also help, as anxiety can sometimes exacerbate hallucinations. Remember, you’re not alone, and a healthcare provider can help clarify the cause and suggest ways to manage these experiences effectively.
Thanks