Hallucinations are basically visions which people see which are not really there. These visions are extremely clear and at times they can be terrifying. It is not uncommon for somebody who has had a recent trauma to suffer from hallucinations. This especially occurs when somebody has lost someone who was extremely close to them. They may still see the person in a hallucination and they may also relive what happened if they were there.

Certain drugs can also cause hallucinations and constant drug users will often suffer from them. Some hallucinations can be so severe that the drug users actually harm themselves because they think they have bugs inside them and they are trying to get them out.

Overall Hallucinations can be innocent or they can be particularly troublesome. It all depends upon what is causing them. If you feel you are suffering from hallucinations it is a good idea to talk to your doctor as they will be able to give you more advice and give you a proper diagnosis too.

 In hallucinations, we experience perceptual sensations that have no actual external basis. The sense organ is not stimulated and no impulse is transmitted along sensory nerve fibers of the brain. Yet some psychic process goes on, as if sensation was presented to the brain. Such as imaginary perceptions is known as Hallucination. For e.g. we see a snake where as actually there is nothing present at the spot.

Hallucinations represent the projection onto the outer world of such emotional needs and situations as fulfillment of desire, enhancement of self-esteem, criticism, a sense of guilt, self-punishment, and the satisfaction of repressed impulses.

Hallucinations indicate a greater distortion of reality than illusion do and therefore, a more serious disturbance of the mind. There can be Hallucinations of any of the senses.

1. Auditory Hallucination
These are the most frequent form of hallucinations. Patient hears imaginary things. If such a patient is carefully observed, he may be heard talking to himself or he may be observed with the head inclined in a listening attitude.

2. Visual Hallucinations
These are second most frequent form of hallucinations. The patient sees things which are not present. They are typically seen in deliria of acute infectious diseases or of toxic psychosis.

3. Olfactory Hallucinations
Hallucinations of smell are not common. They are particularly seen in patients of brain tumor, or epileptic states.

4. Tactile Hallucinations
These hallucinations are rare. The patient feels tactile sensations which are not present, e.g. crawling of insects under the skin. This may occur in toxic states due to drugs or alcohol.