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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Sudden onset of hallucinations

    Related Topics
    Depression Mental Health Mental Illness
    I have BPD and depression. I've heard voices throughout the depression but I've been coming out of it after doing DBT. However, all of a sudden I am having hallucinations. I am out of the public system now and I don't know where to turn.
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    Dr Raiz Ismail

    Psychiatrist

    Dr. Raiz ISMAIL is a psychiatrist and a fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists . His areas of interest include: depression … View Profile

    Hi 

    It is not uncommon that hallucinations recur in your condition without any warning signs. There may be many reasons for this including the nature of condition, or probably you might have just gone through a stressful situation (mild to severe)  which would have triggered this episode.

    Are the hallucinations (I assume its auditory)  very distressful or are they commanding you? If yes, please seek immediate help or otherwise I would advise you to contact your GP or previous community mental health service about an appointment. 

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  • Kathy Monro

    HealthShare Member

    Thank you for the reply.  The new hallucinations are visual as i have been hearing voices constantly for 4 years now.  Along with the new and very distressing visual hallucinations my voices have turned more demanding and are very commanding.  I am exhausted from this sudden change after i thought i could live with the voices even though, they were already extremely negative, but this new change is very overwhelming and i feel all alone, i can't afford therapy in the private system.

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    Dr Pek Ang

    Psychiatrist

    Dr Ang is a Malaysian born Psychiatrist who grew up in Newcastle when he moved there at 11. He received his Medical Degree from the … View Profile

    Hi Kathy,

    Agree with Dr Ismail's recommendation to see your regular GP in the first instance or return to your Mental Health provider.

    Although you have been diagnosed with BPD [which I assume is short for Borderline Personality Disorder] and Depression [which I assume is for Unipolar Depression], sometimes other conditions may be lurking around also.  Commonly Bipolar Disorder can co-exist with BPD and the mood changes can be accompanied by hallucinations.  A clue to this is if your moods can change quickly...from low to good or the other way.  

    Visual hallucinations can also be a sign of seizure activity [without physical shaking].  Sometimes this takes the form of losing time or lapses in concentration.

    In any case I agree with Dr Ismail that you see a good GP who will take a careful history of all your symptoms.

    These symptoms may be quite treatable ..so you don't have to keep putting up with them.

    Best wishes

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