Hallucinations: meaning, definitions and examples

Hallucinations are perceptual experiences that occur in the absence of an external stimulus. They can affect any of the senses and are often linked to mental health disorders, substance use, or neurological conditions.

• She described experiencing vivid hallucinations during the peak of her fever.
• The medication caused him to have auditory hallucinations, hearing voices that were not there.

Delusions are strongly held false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary. They are often seen in mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or psychotic disorders.

• His delusions led him to believe that he was a famous historical figure.
• Despite numerous facts presented to him, he clung to his delusion that he was being followed by secret agents.

Illusions are distorted perceptions of a real external stimulus. They often occur when the sensory information is misinterpreted, leading to incorrect conclusions about what is being perceived.

• The magician's trick created an illusion that the woman was levitating.
• Looking at the mirage in the desert, they saw an illusion of water in the distance.

Phantasms are ghostly apparitions or figments of the imagination, often associated with supernatural beliefs or fiction. They usually carry a mysterious or eerie connotation.

• The old mansion was said to be haunted by phantasms that roamed its halls at night.
• In his dreams, he encountered phantasms that seemed both real and terrifying.