An hallucination is a strong perception of something that does not actually exist. This may be visualised, heard, felt, smelled or tasted. Hallucinations are sometimes confused with illusions, which are distortions of a reality rather than something that is purely imagined - as with hallucinations.
Most commonly hallucinations are visual and may be in black and white, in colour, still or moving. Often the images involve small animals and children, although scenes may be quite complex. Sometimes faces are clearly perceived, but generally images do not speak or make sounds. They may disappear quickly or may last for some time.
Less often hallucinations are auditory, whereby they are heard but not seen, mainly hearing voices. Alternatively, hallucination may be tactile, that is, the person feels a sensation, like something touching them.
Usually hallucinations are not threatening or distressing and in many cases the person is aware that they are hallucinating and that their perceptions are not real. Sometimes the person finds the image they see rather comforting or even a companion. But hallucinations can be distressing, unsettling and hard to cope with if the person does not realise that they are hallucinating and that their perceptions are not real. They may feel threatened or frightened and may need reassurance and comfort from those around them.
