What are hallucinations?

Hallucinations are defined as sensory experiences that occur without any corresponding external environmental stimuli. This means that a person experiencing a hallucination perceives something—such as sounds, sights, or smells—that is not present in reality. For example, someone might hear voices or see things that others do not, which can be particularly distressing and disorienting. This phenomenon can occur in various contexts, including mental health disorders like schizophrenia or during the effects of certain substances.

Understanding this definition helps clarify how hallucinations differ from other psychological concepts. While false beliefs, emotional disturbances, and disorganized thoughts are all significant aspects of mental health, they do not specifically pertain to the sensory misperception that characterizes hallucinations. A false belief is more aligned with delusions, which are fixed, false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary. Emotional disturbances refer to issues with emotional regulation or response, while disorganized thoughts involve incoherence in speech or thought patterns, rather than a specific sensory misperception. This distinction is crucial for recognizing and diagnosing different psychological experiences and conditions.