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Hallucination: meaning, definitions and examples

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hallucination

 

[həˌluːsɪˈneɪʃn ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

mental health

A perception of something that is not present in the external environment and is usually auditory or visual in nature. Hallucinations can occur in various mental health disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Synonyms

delusion, illusion, phantasm.

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Word Description / Examples
hallucination

A hallucination is when someone perceives something that isn't there, often due to factors like illness, drugs, or lack of sleep.

  • He began having hallucinations after being deprived of sleep for three days
  • The vivid hallucinations made her see people who weren't actually there
illusion

An illusion is a misleading or false visual perception or interpretation of reality. Unlike hallucinations, illusions are often based on real stimuli.

  • The magician created an illusion that made it look like the rabbit disappeared
  • The straight road ahead looked bent due to the heat creating a mirage, which is an optical illusion
delusion

A delusion is a strongly held belief that is false and not based in reality, often found in mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.

  • Despite all evidence, he held the delusion that he was a famous historical figure
  • Her delusion made her refuse to believe that her family was trying to help her
phantasm

A phantasm refers to something imagined or dreamlike, often linked to ghosts, apparitions, or supernatural visions.

  • He claimed to see a phantasm that resembled his late mother
  • The haunted house was said to be filled with phantasms appearing at night

Examples of usage

  • She experienced auditory hallucinations, hearing voices that were not there.
  • The patient reported visual hallucinations, seeing objects that did not exist.
  • His hallucinations were a result of his untreated mental illness.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'hallucinari,' meaning 'to dream or to wander in the mind.'
  • Originally, it related to dreams and fantasy before being used for experiences of seeing things that aren’t there.

Psychology

  • Hallucinations can occur with mental health conditions, but they can also happen in altered states like extreme fatigue.
  • Some people experience hallucinations when using certain drugs, showing the brain's complex interaction with substances.

Science

  • Researchers study hallucinations to understand perception and brain function, revealing how the mind processes reality.
  • Neuroscience has shown that various areas of the brain can be active during hallucinations, providing insight into sensory processing.

Cultural Representations

  • In literature and film, characters often experience hallucinations to symbolize inner conflict or a break from reality, like in 'A Beautiful Mind.'
  • Many cultures have stories about visions and spirits, often interpreted as spiritual or prophetic experiences.

Medical Insights

  • Certain medical conditions, like Parkinson's disease or migraine, can trigger hallucinations, indicating a need for careful diagnosis.
  • Treatment can vary based on the underlying cause, and understanding hallucinations is crucial for effective mental health care.

Translations

Translations of the word "hallucination" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alucinação

🇮🇳 भ्रम

🇩🇪 Halluzination

🇮🇩 halusinasi

🇺🇦 галюцинація

🇵🇱 halucynacja

🇯🇵 幻覚 (げんかく)

🇫🇷 hallucination

🇪🇸 alucinación

🇹🇷 halüsinasyon

🇰🇷 환각 (hwangak)

🇸🇦 هلوسة

🇨🇿 halucinace

🇸🇰 halucinácia

🇨🇳 幻觉 (huànjué)

🇸🇮 halucinacija

🇮🇸 ofskynjun

🇰🇿 галлюцинация

🇬🇪 ჰალუცინაცია

🇦🇿 halüsinasiya

🇲🇽 alucinación

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,294, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.