It is important that you discuss hallucinations or delusions with a professional so that all treatment options can be considered. Your first point of contact should be your doctor or, depending on the country in which you live, a Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist.
Your carer will also be able to help, although he or she may find the situation distressing, not knowing how to react or what to say. The following may help if you are caring for someone experiencing hallucinations:
- try to stay calm and let the person hallucinating know that you cannot see, hear or feel what they are, but in such a way as not to upset them or cause an argument
- be understanding and explain that, whilst you realise things seem real to them, you cannot see or hear them yourself. This can help to calm and reassure if the hallucinations are distressing. If however the hallucination or delusion is very severe, questioning them or doubting that they exist may cause further distress or conflict
- discuss what happens when the person experiences an hallucination, when they are most likely to occur, anything that makes them go away, and anything you can do to support them
- it can also be helpful to try to distract the person by changing the subject or moving away from the surroundings in which the hallucinations have just occurred
- it is important to encourage a dialogue with their doctor so that they discuss their perceptions and ways of treating them
- if you are concerned that severe delusions may lead to safety issues you should seek medical advice promptly.
