*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature M: MRSA.

Hallucinations Hearing Voices

Hallucinations are where you hear, see, smell, taste or feel things that appear to be real but only exist in your mind. Get medical help if you or someone else have hallucinations.

Types of hallucinations

You may have hallucinations if you:

hear sounds or voices that nobody else hears
see things that are not there like objects, shapes, people or lights
feel touch or movement in your body that is not real like bugs are crawling on your skin or your internal organs are moving around.
smell things that do not exist
taste things that only you feel are not pleasant or is strange
think that your body is moving like flying or floating when it is not

Causes of hallucinations

Hallucinations can be caused by many different health conditions that affect the senses.

Common causes of hallucinations include:

mental health conditions like schizophrenia or a bipolar disorder
drugs and alcohol
Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease
a change or loss of vision, such as Charles Bonnet syndrome
anxiety, depression or bereavement
side effect from medicines
after surgery and anaesthesia

Sometimes hallucinations can be temporary. They can happen if you have migraines, a high temperature or just as you wake up or fall asleep.

They can also be caused by an infection, brain tumour or confusion (delirium), especially in older people.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

you or someone else have hallucinations

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

You or someone else:

want to harm yourself or someone else
hear voices telling you to harm yourself or someone else
have a seizure (fit)
suddenly become confused
are not making sense when you speak

Find your nearest A&E

Treatment for hallucinations

Treatment for hallucinations will depend on what's causing it.

For example, if you have a mental health condition like schizophrenia, you may be given therapy or medicine to help reduce your hallucinations.

A GP may recommend lifestyle changes like drinking less alcohol, not taking drugs and getting more sleep to reduce your hallucinations.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature M: MRSA. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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