Can hallucinations be coping mechanisms?

The strategies used by 40 chronic schizophrenic out-patients with persistent auditory hallucinations to cope with the intrusive phenomena were explored. Frequent coping mechanisms included changes in activity, interpersonal contact, manipulations of physiological arousal, and attentional control.

How do you distract a patient from hallucinations?

3. Suggest coping strategies, such as:

1. humming or singing a song several times.
2. listening to music.
3. reading (forwards and backwards)
4. talking with others.
5. exercise.
6. ignoring the voices.
7. medication (important to include).

How do you deal with visual hallucinations?

Neuroleptic medications (i.e., dopamine antagonists) are the mainstay of treatment for visual hallucinations due to primary psychotic illness.

How do you deal with hallucinations?

General measures that can be taken to reduce the frequency or severity of hallucinations include stress management, healthy living, regular exercise and sleeping well.

How do I deal with auditory hallucinations?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help patients cope with auditory hallucinations and reshape delusional beliefs to make the voices less frequent.

What causes schizophrenia hallucinations?

Various different forms of hallucination exist, with some involving voices that can be heard and others involving non-existent smells or tastes. Hallucinations are a common symptom of schizophrenia but they can also be caused by drug abuse or excessive alcohol intake, fever, bereavement, depression or dementia.

How to cope with delusional thinking?

Psychotherapies that may be helpful in delusional disorder include: Individual psychotherapy can help the person recognize and correct the thinking that has become distorted. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help the person learn to recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that lead to troublesome feelings.