Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

How to cope with delusions and hallucinations from psychosis related to bipolar?

2 Answers
Last Updated: 04/20/2021 at 3:07pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Tracy-Kate Teleke, PsyD, M.A., LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

I assist adults and couples in CA experiencing relationship challenges and interpersonal struggles including anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other life challenges.

Top Rated Answers
Blake1604
September 21st, 2020 1:53am
This is very hard. I suffer from schizoaffective disorder which is a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and psychosis is very common. Psychosis is one of the most severe mental illnesses whether it is stemming from a psychotic or mood disorder. In my experience during these times it can be really hard to determine what is real and what is just part of the psychosis. Im going to name some ways I reality check while I am actively hallucinating. 1- Ask someone if they heard, saw, felt the same thing you did. 2- If it is visual use your phone and try to capture it on camera. If your phone doesn't see it it isn't there. These are just a couple ways that I keep my hallucinations under check. But delusions are a lot harder because when you are in a completely delusional state you 100% believe what you believe is the truth. My delusions begin as just small ideas in the back of my head that slowly grow into delusions that consume me. So when i feel that little idea begin to grow I like to tell someone. This makes it so at least I have someone supporting me and making sure im safe although im in this state. I hope this helped a bit. Sending good vibes your way
rikkax3
April 20th, 2021 3:07pm
Personally with hallucinations I try to look at it as special effects. I will acknowledge the hallucination but I will not put everything into it. If I'm having auditory hallucinations I will make jokes out of what they say. I'm willing to talk more about hallucinations if you would like I don't know much about managing or coping with delusions but when I am able to cope I mostly reality check. An example is say I'm having the thought my dad is able to read my mind. I will ask questions related to if he was able to read my mind. It can be a little tough at first but it gets better the more you try it.