Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of hallucinations. Family history What is the general health of your family members? Are there any diseases in your family that are common? Are there any hereditary diseases in your family? Social history What is your profession? Is there any evidence of psychosocial … Hallucinations: Medical History
Respiratory System (J00-J99) Hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) Eyes and eye appendages (H00-H59). Blindness Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Metabolic derailment (metabolic derailment), unspecified. Liver, gallbladder, and biliary tract-pancreas (pancreas) (K70-K77; K80-K87). Liver failure, unspecified Neoplasms – tumor diseases (C00-D48). Brain tumors, unspecified Ears – mastoid process (H60-H95) Deafness Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99) Senile … Hallucinations: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by hallucinations: Psyche – Nervous System (F00-F99; G00-G99). Aggressiveness Fear Symptoms and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not elsewhere classified (R00-R99). Suicidality (suicidal tendencies).
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae (white part of the eye). Auscultation (listening) of the lungs [respiratory hypoxia/respiratory oxygen deficiency]. Palpation (palpation) of the abdomen (abdomen) (tenderness?, knocking pain?, coughing … Hallucinations: Examination
2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification. Small blood count Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein). Urine status (rapid test for: pH, leukocytes, nitrite, protein, glucose, ketone, urobilinogen, bilirubin, blood), sediment, if necessary urine culture (pathogen detection and resistogram, … Hallucinations: Lab Test
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Encephalogram (EEG; recording of the electrical activity of the brain) – for suspected epilepsy, narcolepsy (compulsive sleep seizures during the day). Computed tomography of the skull (cranial CT, cranial … Hallucinations: Diagnostic Tests
To prevent hallucinations, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Consumption of stimulants Alcohol consumption, chronic Drug use Amphetamines (indirect sympathomimetic). Cannabis (hashish and marijuana) Crack Ecstasy (also XTC and others) – collective name for a variety of phenylethylamines. Cocaine LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide/lysergide) Drug withdrawal Other risk factors Extreme … Hallucinations: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate hallucinations: Pathognomonic (indicative of a disease). Sensory illusion without a real correlate. Warning signs (red flags) Anamnestic information: Alcohol dependence Drug use Neurological diseases Psychiatric diseases Auditory hallucinations → think: psychotic illness (e.g., schizophrenia, psychotic depression). Olfactory hallucination → think of: Temporallapenepilepsy Tactile hallucination → think of: Alcohol … Hallucinations: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
