Is it normal to hallucinate while having a panic attack?

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7 Comments

A while ago, I had this panic attack. At first, it started out how panic attacks usually do (shallow breathing, terror, etc). Then I started hallucinating, and got involuntary mental images and visual illusions. I saw faces appear in the air, and also in the wall. The room was altering. I don't know if this counts as a hallucination but at the time, I felt my brain disintegrating. It lasted ten-fifteen minutes. It happened in the bathroom and shower, and now I get anxious every time I take a shower. Is it normal to hallucinate during panic attacks?

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43% Normal
Based on 46 votes (20 yes)
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Comments ( 7 )
  • Outsider21
    9 years ago

    Panic attacks can cause hallucinations which further adds to the person's fear that they're "going crazy". This is actually a typical feature of panic attacks. Also, some sane people hallucinate from time to time without even being in a state of panic. Once in a while, I'll hear stuff or see stuff and this also happens on probably 50%+ of nights when I'm falling asleep but I function totally fine and am not crazy at all. Hallucination does not always mean "crazy" some people get them at times without having any kind of mental disease

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  • thatguywhosthere
    9 years ago

    it depends on hallucination. sometimes i imagine to hurt someone because im angry. like the tv show dexter. but i never do. i sit there daydreaming. is that the hallucination u are havin?

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  • Koda
    9 years ago

    When I had anxiety problems, the worst symptoms for me were physical rather than mental. Capillaries would burst in my face leaving little red dots that'd last weeks, I'd get vasovagal and extremely nauseated, sometimes I'd get dizzy and pass out, I'd hyperventilate to the point of turning blue, and I'd feel my limbs and temples lose circulation. Overall, not a fun time. Glad I'm over that.

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  • Freedom_
    9 years ago

    It is Howard. He is the wall and he is very much aliveand doing strange things to you....jks

    My first thought was lack of oxygen, which can certainly cause hallucinations, especially paired with anxiety. Make sure your bathroom is well ventilated... open a window or keep the door cracked when you are taking that hot, steamy shower. Maybe keep a battery powered fan in there. If that doesn't work, try masturbating.

    There is no one way to be rid of anxiety. Find a way that you think will work (telling myself to "Stop it!" worked for me), believe it will work and then watch as the anxiety lessens each time you practice controlling it and keep believing it will go away completely someday. Once you feel that you have conquered your anxiety, appreciate you and the forces working with you for what they have done for yourself.

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    I have awful auditory and visual hallucinations sometimes during a very bad attack.

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  • Short4Words
    9 years ago

    I've definitely had similar things happen during my panic attacks but nothing quite like that. Are you going to any sort of counseling?

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      No. I've actually never been to a counselor or anyone like that. What did you have happen, if you don't mind me asking?

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