Helping a person who is hallucinating

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Helping a person who is hallucinating

A hallucination is an experience that is not shared by other people. Hallucinations seem real to the person having them. Hallucinations can involve any of a person's senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and/or touch).

Here are ways to help a person who is hallucinating:

Approach the person quietly while calling his or her name.
Ask the person to tell you what is happening. Ask whether he or she is afraid or confused.
Tell the person that he or she is having a hallucination and that you do not see or hear what he or she is experiencing.
Talk with the person about the experience and ask whether there is anything you can do to help.
Suggest that the person tell the voices to go away. Involving the person in other activities may help.
Help the person find ways to handle the hallucinations, such as listening to music or watching TV.
Do not hurry the person.

Credits

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Last Updated	February 5, 2008

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Last updated:	February 05, 2008
Author:	Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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