hallucinations?

[jen21287]

Has anyone experienced hallucinations while not being entirely depressed or manic? I have been diagnosed as BP II for almost 3 years and have never experienced hallucinations until now. I feel like I see things in my peripheral vision that are really not there. I have also occasionally heard things as well. Mood wise, I feel very stable.  So this is completely alarming. I was put on a medication for a heart arrhythmia and it said a rare side effect was hallucinations - so that is a possible explanation. Does anyone experience this while seemingly stable? Will this make me Bipolar I?

[DrJeannette]

You should see your PCP ASAP to discuss this.  Also are you working with a psychiatrist to treat your BPD.  You should be.  What you describe sounds more complicated and you should not be getting treated for this by your PCP.  If you see a psych, call them immediately.  If your psych says it is BPD, get a second opinion.  Diagnostically, hallucinations can occur with BPD but in context of a mood episode.  Alternating mood and hallucinations could be Schizoaffective Disorder, a different illness with a different treatment.  Good luck!

[jen21287]

Thanks. I did talk to my psychiatrist about this. He believes it is caused by the medication I am taking for my heart. These symptoms have only happened when the medication has been increased. They also occur after I take it in the evening. I have only been on this med for less than 2 months and that is about when this all started. I am going to stop that med and see if it stops. These symptoms are not constant. They happen very infrequently. I take Seroquel, so I should definitely not be hallucinating. Ironically, they believe my heart arrhythmia was caused by the Seroquel.

[tabuda777]

I've had this hallucination that my breath smells since I was diagnosed with depression.  I really believe it smells because of an odd taste in my mouth.  I was 15 and now I'm 26 yrs old with a bigger problem than just depression;furthermore, I'm bipolar having traits of psycosis. Let me know what they could administer me for the olfactory reference syndrome. They've already prescribed abilify for it but it's not budging. thank you

[corlenbelspar]

I also believe your medication is causing it.

[sweetjojo93]

Hi, I'm only 16 and I experience frequent hallucinations. As far as I know i don't have disorders. And I do not wish to get checked for any. But I have over the last few months had several experiences of hallucinating. I hear my birth fathers voice, and I have seen him standing on the corner of my road as i drove past before. I also have a recurring dream that I believe to be symbolizing the one thing he used to say after he hit me. The dream is of my mouth being sewn up. And I'm watching it happen to myself in my reflection in a mirror. I think it means that I have to keep quiet about the hallucinations. Don't really know what to do?

[ILADVOCATE]

It still would be worth speaking to someone about even if just a talk therapist. What you decide to from there would be up to you.