I'm confused with visual hallucinations are not a cause of bipolar.. I was on no meds and have seen shit that's not there.. I've been on benzo and come off.. now that will really make you see shit that's not there.

I need the visual hallucinations not a part of BP thing explained a bit further..

zenith i need this explained too cause as far as im concerned all this does is cause shit for me.

Yeah.. I even asked doc.. could I be schizo.. doc said no.. so wth?

Zenith..hallusinations are deff a part of BP I...if you go into a BP I psychosis , hallusinations are often a part of the episode .

People who have hallusinations w/o a mood swing or mania ...those are the people usually classified as schitzo

it seems some people have been either misinformed or enforce their opinion as fact. it doesnt really matter, but i just dunno whats going on.

cant even organise my thoughts into a sentence that anywhere near makes sense.

so. anyway guys. im sure you all relate in some way. its pretty shit.

zenith..the hallucinations thing. The way the brain is wired we do not see the world as it is. This is because at every glance there is a huge amount of information. If you look at a picture of a normal scene for about 15 mins and write down everything you see you will be suprised how much is there.

Because biologically really you need to be avoiding predators, finding mates, food etc - your brain is wired to be very sensitive to things moving in a certain way, or to see people or other important things from a distance, or in shadows or when only part is visible and a number of other things and de-emphasise the background.

Any disturbance to the system that does that and..you see things move that aren't, you see faces, you see people that are not there etc etc.

So it's a great evolutionary tool but it's not very stable. If you get hot (fever) you will see stuff. If you get dehydrated, you see stuff. If you get really stressed, you see stuff. Too little oxygen. Then many chemicals will cause it.

And then you have schizophrenia and bipolar.

well said Curious.

Psychosis is much more of a problem for me (& others I dare say) when I don't notice something unusual is happening ie/ that I'm psychotic/delusional etc That's part of it- believing it.

I think right as its starting you can be aware its not normal.. But then yea you lose insight & think/see/or hear things that aren't real are real.. I don't get that way out of the blue-it's usually an extreme in moof either way for me..

*mood

I had anorexia develop as a side effect of AP's. They tried to put me on "weight neutral" drugs but I ALWAYS gain. Anyway, I am now on Weight Watchers and losing the AP weight sensibly instead of nuttily. I think if you watch your diet and some of that typical AP stuff like eating in the middle of the night, you will not gain weight.

Hallucinations are pretty serious. (I've had the spider one as well, must be common!) Please go see a doctor, and Emergency if you need to. *love*

Thanks for the responses guys, they seem to hve calmed down visually but I am aware of feeling paranoid in regards to strangers plotting against me , saw a man in a dark coat clearly an agent out to stalk and kill me. It's hard to tell myself it's wrong because it's happens before I know it'll pass but I can't go out without feeling unsafe. I want to hide in corners and lock the doors. Stop this anxiety it's ridiculous

I hope you can seek professional help soon.

Just throwing this out there I am BP type 2 and have all three types of hallucinations sight, smell and hearing when I am greatly upset (as in a death in the family will surely trigger it) and stressed out.

I also get paranoid just know you are not alone others have similar experiences. I hope this does not sound trite.

You obviously have an internet connection perhaps you could investigate possible options for professional help (immediate help) in your area. In worst case scenario please call 911, HUGS

yeah i have looked on nhs direct and they have just said to start at my general practitioners.
i guess i need an MOT i'll pop up soon when i can get the courage. x

I also have the spider phobia. When I see one, I feel like they are crawling all over me. If you're seeing them and they are not there for real, then maybe you should call your Dr. or get professional help asap. I hope you get well soon.