# My Friend Is Having Hallucinations **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 7, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094 "2013-04-07T20:21:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hecatenna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/43a26b/32.png) [@Hecatenna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hecatenna)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/1 "2013-04-07T20:21:50Z")
Just so you know, I understand that not all the people here are doctors. Fear not, you won’t be killing someone by putting in some wrong information, but i would ask that you keep it factual. Thanks! My friend has been having hallucinations since she was 9, and now she’s getting them really often- she saw me once as a decayed body. She’s 13 now. She doesn’t take any medication, but she has seen bright spots of color since she was really little. Her grandparents told her they saw similar spots, but this was after a couple drink so she isn’t really sure if that’s relevant. Her hallucinations target what she fears most (for example, she sees her room filled with smoke and feels like she’s choking, even though there’s nothing in the room). As you may have guessed, these hallucinations target all of her senses. She says she has no other symptoms like headaches, ect. Do you think of any condition similar to what i’ve written above? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/2 "2013-04-07T20:30:46Z")
Sounds like she needs to get to a Dr. as soon as possible. Start with a regular Dr. and he/she can send her to specialists. She probably will end up with a neurologist or psychiatrist or both. ---
**Author:** ![Hecatenna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/43a26b/32.png) [@Hecatenna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hecatenna)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/3 "2013-04-07T20:32:03Z")
Thanks for the concern, but we want to keep the doctors out of this. I hope you understand… anyway, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/4 "2013-04-07T20:39:25Z")
what is the reason for keeping doctors out of it? Possibly religion? Or cost? If cost is a problem there are likely free clinics near where she lives. In most states (or maybe all) parents can be charged with child abuse if they don’t take sick children to the doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/5 "2013-04-07T20:39:55Z")
> [@Hecatenna](#): > > Thanks for the concern, but we want to keep the doctors out of this. I hope you understand… anyway, thanks! I don’t. I’m not sure what you expect anonymous folks on the internet to do for you in this situation. If you feel this is an actual problem the most effective course of action would be to consult a doctor. Reported for forum change - medical advice goes in IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/6 "2013-04-07T20:41:03Z")
> [@Hecatenna](#): > > Thanks for the concern, but we want to keep the doctors out of this. No. Wrong answer. You should not be keeping doctors out of this. This is exactly the sort of thing you should consult a doctor about. Your friend could have a serious problem like schizophrenia or a brain tumor. Getting her seen by a professional as soon as possible is essential. ---
**Author:** ![Hecatenna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/43a26b/32.png) [@Hecatenna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hecatenna)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/7 "2013-04-07T20:41:40Z")
You’re right, but we want to make sure there’s a problem before we go. It’s horrible, I sound like a terrible friend, I know. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/8 "2013-04-07T20:43:20Z")
There is a problem , that’s not in question here. ---
**Author:** ![Hecatenna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/43a26b/32.png) [@Hecatenna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hecatenna)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/9 "2013-04-07T20:47:40Z")
Okay, I would like to thank everyone for their concern and care about this topic. Since I can’t close this because I’m not a mod I will ask everyone to respectfully refrain from commenting on this topic. I’ve talked to my friend and we agreed to visit one of those free clinics. So please, please don’t post anything else. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/10 "2013-04-07T20:51:13Z")
Of course there is a problem…this isn’t normal and it is bothering her! You go to a doctor to figure out what is wrong and how to treat it. You aren’t required to give the doctor the diagnosis. First thing tomorrow, she needs to call and get an appointment. And just the act of asking a doctor for help can release a lot if the anxiety she may be feeling. ---
**Author:** ![Hecatenna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/43a26b/32.png) [@Hecatenna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hecatenna)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/11 "2013-04-07T20:52:16Z")
Yes, we have agreed to visit a doctor. Again, since I can’t close this forum I have to ask that you please dont comment anymore. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/12 "2013-04-07T20:52:41Z")
Good for you! You’re a good friend. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/13 "2013-04-07T21:12:44Z")
She’s only 13? Where are her parents in this? How old are you? ---
**Author:** ![Hecatenna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/43a26b/32.png) [@Hecatenna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hecatenna)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/14 "2013-04-07T21:14:05Z")
Again, I repeat for the 3rd time, I wish I could close this thread. We are going to the doctors, please do not comment any more. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/15 "2013-04-07T21:17:11Z")
Good call, and I’ll alert a moderator to close the thread for you. You’re doing the right thing by going to a doctor - I wish you all well. This must be very scary to go through. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/16 "2013-04-07T21:53:44Z")
Does your friend attend the same school you do? If so, there are nurses, doctors and psychologists on staff. Your friend ought to talk to one of them. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2013, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/17 "2013-04-07T23:22:07Z")
If this was just to [help with your book](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=686622), and it sounds likely that’s what’s going on here, you should just say so. We don’t mind helping with that sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/18 "2013-04-08T00:03:33Z")
Sounds like this little girl is having lots of fun, making up stories to feed her gullible & credulous adult acquaintance. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/19 "2013-04-08T00:36:48Z")
Guys, c’mon, she SAID don’t talk about it anymore!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2013, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094/20 "2013-04-09T13:11:27Z")
> [@Hecatenna](#): > > … I will ask everyone to respectfully refrain from commenting on this topic… So please, please don’t post anything else. I think that, book or no book, this is totally bizarre…Totally. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-is-having-hallucinations/655094.md?page=2)