Experiencing visual hallucinations can be very disconcerting. You may have trouble understanding what is real and what is not. You may feel like something is very wrong and out of your control.
But what does it mean? You need to see a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis, but some of the disorders that may link to visual hallucinations, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, include the following:
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Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
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Metabolism errors
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Tumors near the optic path
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Drug side effects
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Peduncular hallucinosis
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Sleep disturbances
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Migraines
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Seizures
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Anton’s syndrome
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Charles Bonnet syndrome
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Dementia
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Delirium
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Psychosis
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Schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder
Again, this is not intended to be medical advice, and you need to meet with a doctor. Many of these disorders and issues can have a massive impact on your life. Some, like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, can be fatal. Others, like growing tumors, can cause life-long changes without proper treatment.
Another thing to consider, though, is that these visual hallucinations — and the underlying disease or disorder that causes them — could impact your ability to work. You may find yourself unable to maintain an income at the same time that you have high medical bills for mental conditions, physical conditions or some combination of the two. This can be a very trying time in many ways, not the least of which is the financial side.
If you do find yourself in this position, you may want to look into your legal options if your condition is so severe that it counts as a disability and you need assistance.
