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Delusions and hallucinations are different but often occur together in schizophrenia. Delusions of grandeur and persecution are common, with the former also present in bipolar disorder. Hallucinations can be caused by drugs or medications, but those intentionally using hallucinogens can distinguish between illusion and reality, unlike those with mental illness who may require treatment.
Delusions and hallucinations are similar but different. Hallucinations are visual or auditory delusions, where you may see things that aren’t there or see distorted images. Delusions, however, need not be hallucinations, but can be beliefs that are inconsistent with reality.
Common delusions include beliefs of grandeur and persecution. Both types are common with schizophrenia. Delusions of grandeur may also be present in manic episodes of bipolar disorder.
Delusions of grandeur can cause a person to believe they are invincible or god-like. They may alternatively think that their own acts can control everything around them. These types of false beliefs can be quite dangerous for the person experiencing them. You might run into traffic or jump off a building because you think you can’t take harm.
Persecutory convictions tend to make a person think that “everyone” is conspiring against him or her. The person may believe that their private conversations are being recorded or that there is a secret government conspiracy to steal the world’s thoughts. Those with persecution tendencies usually live very sheltered lives and may perform strange acts to prevent what they consider persecution. When confronted, those with persecutory convictions can suddenly become violent, although this is relatively rare.
Both of these types of delusional thinking can be fueled by visual and auditory hallucinations. The person may hear that someone else is talking to him or her. The person can also see people or animals that aren’t there. Delusions of grandeur can result from a hallucination that an angel or saint has visited the person and given him special instructions. Conversely, those with persecutory beliefs may see people not present coming to destroy them, and thus experience extreme fear.
Hallucinations can also be the result of taking drugs or medications with hallucinogenic properties. Native Americans used peyote to conjure visions during vision quests. Many in the drug culture of the late 1960s welcomed the visions brought about by drugs such as LSD.
Hallucinogenic drugs can cause visual or auditory visions, but usually don’t involve visits. Instead, visual and auditory distortions of the surrounding environment are the most common. The drug culture welcomed these distortions and felt they opened their consciousness to a greater understanding of the world.
Those who intentionally used hallucinogens had a distinct advantage over those with mental illness. They tended to be able to distinguish between illusion and reality when drugs obliterated their system. The schizophrenic usually cannot make this distinction without treatment. Even with treatment, some delusions may exist that the schizophrenic must try to block. Those in manic bipolar states may be slightly more aware that the delusions are not real, and will be particularly so in depressive cycles. Again, medical treatment and therapy can help end the delusional thinking or perception.
