I cannot divulge patient information / history, but the person is not on any pharmacological agents and its wise not to write regarding the actual events and details from the visions & hallucinations due to the content.\n\nKnowing the day to day history of the person and a recent psychiatric consultation, the conclusion is that the patient is experiencing sensory deprivation, a form of brainwashing.\n\nThe solution is the patient to stop practising the religion but thats the freedom of the person therefore the patient may end up in a mental institute. \n\nHas anyone experienced visions & hallucinations from God and was treated successfully.
127950
Visions and hallucinations do not come from God- they come from a chemical imbalance in the brain.  Not knowing the exact circumstances, I'm going to throw out a few ways to get this person help (I appreciate the confidentiality issue).\n\nThe first thing is, has this person ever been diagnosed?  If he/she has, then he/she probably has a diagnosis of a formal thought disorder, such as schizophrenia, or bipolar or depression with psychotic features.  As such, they should have been proscribed an antipsychotic drug of some sort.  As they are not on any pharmacological agent, then I must assume they have either stopped taking the medication or, have never been to a psychiatrist.\n\nIf they have never been to a psychiatrist, then they need to go.  If they have stopped taking their meds, they need to start again.\n\nThis is easier said than done.  See if you can't reason with them.  Try to get them to either go to the doctor or taking their meds (whatever the case may be) as a favor to you.  Or to God.  Or whatever.\n\nWhatever you do, do not challenge the hallucinatiions.  This is only going to put the person on the defensive, and push them even farther into delusional thinking.  Instead, listen to what they are saying, but don't respond to the literel or logical content, respond to the emotion.  Empathize with the emotional content of the hallucination.  Try to "get inside their world," and find whatever reality based bit you can, and work off of that to help lead them back into the real world.\n\nThis is going to be near impossible without meds.\n\nYou mentioned "brain-washing."  If this person is in a destructive cult, then the best thing to do would be to be supportive of that person.  Let them know that you are there for them.  Depending on what has happened with this person, you may be able to take legal action - check with a lawyer or the police.  However, do not call a "deprogrammer"- they are as bad as the cultists they try to "save" people from.  Plus, it's basically kidnapping.  Whatever the type of religion this person is involved in, you're right, you can not restrict their ability to practice that religion.\n\nIf the person is a danger to themselves or others, you may have no other recourse but to put them into a mental institution.  This can be done, against their will, in most states.  It may be the best thing you can do.
532138
Um, I'm a bit confused... you're telling me she has a brain tumor, a  bacterial infection, AND a viral infection?  And you're still looking for a diagnosis???  The symptoms you listed are all clear signs of a neurological problem.  Any of the three actual diagnoses you listed (brain tumor, bacteria, virus) could cause them, as could any number of other actual medical conditions.  She should be seeing a neurologist.  More than that, she should be seeing a GOOD neurologist.  There are plenty of crappy doctors out there, and it doesn't sound like you did much research into WHICH neurologists she saw.  Find her a GOOD neurologist NOW, and stop wasting your time on "alternative" solutions.\n\nThere's no such thing as demonic possession, so you can cross that one off your list.  People can't cause someone to suffer actual symptoms just by cursing them, either, so cross those too of your list as well.\n\nDo you even know what a quack doctor is?  Generally, the term quack doctor is used to describe someone who has no qualifications and isn't going to successfully treat anyone.  People who go to what other people might call quacks don't consider them quacks.
26715
Well if I understand the difference between precognition and prophecy correctly it would need to be with your beliefs. First of all.......let's pray that it's neither. I would hate to see your friend harmed and his family traumatized. So perhaps at least share this dream with him just to help him stay on his toes during travel...\n\n.....but as to your question. If the dream was prophetic, it would be as though a divine inspiration had taken place. You would have been sent a sign from a higher power warning you of the upcoming event. Do you believe in this? This is a whole other issue and i soooooo won't go into asking you (maybe I'll post it as a question). But many do believe that angels are sent to warn us and prepare us for what lies ahead. \n\nIf it were a precognition, you would have extra sensory perception. If you have ever experienced a certain clairvoyance this could be what you have experienced here. Scientists have decided that the brain can have abilities to see "beyond." Rare as it may be, it could exist. Again....something we have to think about and find belief in. \n\nAgain, i would share this dream with your friend. No matter what, the concern for his safety is there. Who knows, if you tell him the dream, he might take the train instead. :)
193995
No, it is not normal.  It displays a large measure of insecurity.  It also displays an immense level of arrogance and insensitivity.  Although by itsself this sort  of behavior is not diagnostic of mental illness, almost all the mentally ill folks with whom I've worked in a professional capacity displayed an inordinate level of concern for religion.  They display "toxic faith".  \n\nThis is not to suggest that religion equates madness; it does not. But inordinate attention to religion and its trappings isn't ordinarily indicative of emotional stability, even amongst clergy.  \n\nIt's difficult to deal with someone who's so heavily into religion, which is why most folks who don't feel the same eventually back away.  And any time you feel pressured to act/think/feel as she does, it's indeed time to back away.  Your relations with matters of religion are matters for you alone to decide.
526291
Sorry I am a male Clinical Psychiatrist, France.  \n\nI have indepth knowledge of the eleven major religions of the world.  An I have been a volunteer doctor in Bosnia, Afghanistan an Iraq to name a few places over my life time.  \n\n"The Solution To Any Problem?\n\n"THERE IS NO DEITY WORTHY OF WORHSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH, AND MUHAMMAD IS HIS MESSENGER"\n\nThat which you have been given is but a fleeting comfort of this life.  Better and more enduring is tht which Alla has for those who believe and put thier trust in Him: who avoid gross sins and indecencies and, when angered, are willing to forgive: who obey their Lord, attend to their prayers, and conduct their affairs by mutual consent: who bestow in alms a part of that which  We have given them and , when oppressed, seek to redress their wrongs (Al-Qur'an, Sura: 42 (Ash-Shura), Ayat: 36-39).\n\nIf you have atleast 6 of the 18 symptoms below, you have what is known as generalized anxiety disorder.\n\nmotor tension\n\n1. trembling, twitching, or feeling shaky\n2. muscle tensions, aches, or soreness\n3. restlessness\n4. easy fatigabilitys\n\n\nAutonomic hyperactivity\n\n5. shortness of breath or somothering sensations\n6. palpitations or accelerated heart rate (Tachycardia).\n7. sweating, or cold clammy hands\n8. dry mouth\n9. dizziness or lightheadedness\n10. nausea, diarrhea, or other abdominal distress\n11. flushes (Hot flashes) or chills\n12. fequent urination\n13. trouble swallowing or "lump in throat"\n\nVigilance and scannig\n\n14. feeling keyed up or on edge\n15. exaggerated startle response\n16. difficulty concentrating or "mind goes blank" becasue of anxiety\n17. trouble falling or staying asleep\n18, irritability\n\nIf you have 6 of the 18 listed symptoms, then your doctors has made the correct DX.   \n\nMyself I prefer to spend two or three hours with my patients on their very first visit to ask questions that will help me/them to find out what is the root cause of their anxiety disorder.  Once they have answered my questions, I evaluate their answer an on their next visit I will give them their DX.  If it is anxiety disorder, I prefer to use behavior modification, reality therapy, hypnosis, Bio-Feedback an Yoga therapy to see if they will work to rid you of your anxiety.  Plus known your cause of the anxiety, I can give you alternative situations that you can pick to resolve the root cause of your anxiety.  \n\nOfcourse there are some patients where none of the above work.  So in order for them to have a quality life, I will put them on 0say, "Aprazolam". 1mg. BID, (means X2 per day), so they can live a quality life.  \n\nPlus I insist they attend group therapy related to taking this drug, as it is addictive and you will probably on it for the rest of your life.    This is why I prefer not to write and Rx.   Only if all other therapies fail.  \n\nClinical Psychiatrist, France
453192
Dissonance reduction. Today we have a word that perfectly describes the ancient prophets: schizophrenic. Today we don't revere what these people say. Today we know that they suffer from hallucinations and delusions. We try to medicate and hospitalize them. But in times of yore, we were convinced that these people actually had access to God's Will. We wrote down the things they said and meditated on their message. But a believer can't see it this way. If a believer sees it this way, they lose the foundation for their belief. So they have to convince themselves of a ghost called the Holy Spirit that guided these people, whereas today's schizophrenics and called what they are.
332497
Yes, if your relative was not diagnosed correctly, there are anti-depressants which can cause hallucinations for people with particular disorders. I would trust no one except a psychiatrist to do an evaluation now.
141327
I find it funny that people atomatically assume that since a thing does not exist within the scope of their personal experience, it must be a delusion, hallucination, or short-comming fo a sort on the part of another.\n\nI speak to God nearly daily.  He speaks to me.  He may not use an audible voice, but I recognize it when he speaks.  Does that make me a nut case?  I do the best job I know how to live out a life worthy of the sacrifice that Jesus made.  I know I fall short way to often, but my hearts desire is to fulfill the expectation he has for me.  What part of this threatens you?  And what justification have I offered any of you to call me delusional, tweaked out, dazed, crazed or sedated?  Or is it simply you have made up your mind about all Christ followers based entirely on the experience you had with a few?\n\nI find it funny in a really sad way that there are so many trolling the religion and spirituality section of Y!A simply to stir the pot and verbally harass or defy those with beliefs in God.  I recommend you start your own section.  You can Call it "Infallible Logic and Answers to Every Question You May Have From Those Who Know Everything."\nYou can even set criteria preventing any nut jobs with delusional tendencies and hallucinations from joining.\n\nOr in short, I'd rather be tweaked out over the Great News of Jesus Christ than seeking satisfaction by bashing people who seem to have something I want but can't find.
99637
It depends on the sect.  Some still don't believe it and chalk it up to demonic possession.  But most see it for what it is, an illness that needs proper treatment.
90063
Actually it sounds like schizophrenia. They should trying doing a civil committment. All they need to do is contact the county mental health department and tell them what is going on. They can lock him up and do an evaluation, then they would go before a judge. If the judge finds that the person is a danger to himself or others they can force him to recieve treatment and he won't be able to check himself out.
240880
It is entirley possible that he saw SOMEthing. A "demon?" No. An inhuman entity, trying to scare him? Yes. There are spirits on this planet, that never were human, but, are curious about the state of Being human. They can be nice about it, or they can simply enjoy harassing the living. We classify the bad ones as Demons, and the good ones as Angels, simply for convenience sake. But really, there are no religious connotations about them. \n   Not all people can see or sense these entities. Some people block out the ability, because it frightens them. But it exists. And so do they. So, yes. It is certainly possible that he did see something. :) If it did not physically accost him, I wouldn't worry about it. Ignore it, and it will grow bored and move on. Good luck!
665559
nope it's not mental, because it's socially acceptable. Hearing god's voice is probably the one voice you can hear and not be put on medication for it. This message wasn't in anyway to disprove God, i'm a believer, I'm just commenting on the mental argument.\n\nSpeaking to god, listening to god, hearing god, I think we've all got problems if we take it all too literal. First of all, he's personified in the bible, depending on your sect, maybe you see him as the guy in the clouds or not.\n\nAnyone who has any character beyond their mouth has had a debate with their conscience. If I asked you to make a 100% accurate depiction of that debate to me, in words and in sounds, you couldn't do it, because inside you there's so much more going on, there's memory, there's interpretation of words and memory, there's feelings, and chemical reactions. If you can get that all across to me, then you've talked your conscience to me. Using this example, I think you can see how difficult it would be to\ninterpret a discussion with god, for someone who knows you better than you do, how am I supposed to say, yeah, yeah, and I was half way through my pint and he said, you better get another.\n\nWhether you see God as a safety net or not, most Christians will argue that god gives you what you need, and not always what you ask for.. Let's take a dumb example 'Please god, I love this girl, please let her notice me'...  Now I could start cursing the day I let god negotiate my love life because she didn't look once, but then I would never have ended up where I am would I? The simple truth is, we're morons, and we don't know what's best for us, because we act on impulse, and apparently, God knows what's best for us not only in this life, which I might add is generally a good 75 years and not a week of fling! But also in the eternal life that believers are promised.\n\nWhether or not you believe in god, or if you just think it's a scam, let's face it, it's not a bad concept to believe someone is always looking out for the greater good of you. Someone who apparently never cheats on you, or has an ultimatum, his concept won't divorce you, it wouldn't lie to you, and it would definately never have the impulse of what if.
156804
I'm confused ,as a Scientologist for the past 35 years, where this\nidea that medication or medical treatment is against our "beliefs", comes from.\nIsn't this Christian Scientists that have this practice or doctrine?\nThere is definitely nothing in Scientology. If you need medical treatment you go to a Dr. If you need surgery you go to hospital.\nIf the length and pain of labour is too long or too much for the mother she gets what help she  needs to get  through it.\nYou are right ,it would be confusing ,if it were actually the case.\nThe only thing that Tom Cruise spoke against was medicating a non medical problem, which Scientologist are against. Specifically in the area of Psychiatric drugs, which solve nothing, cure nothing, are very addictive, and create gruesome side effects including homicidal and suicidal impulses. But this is not medical science.It's a whole other practice.\n\nI hope this helps to clear up the confusion here.
623588
Forget about "believe," this is the science forum -- the question should be, is there any scientific proof that these are real?\n\nAnd yes, there is -- there's proof that our brains undergo changes as death approaches (usually from oxygen starvation of the brain), that can produce hallucinations. Neurons fire off in many parts of the brain in an apparent "last gasp" effort to stave off death, probably the brain's way of trying to get the rest of the body to do something to keep it from dying.  That many of the reported experiences are the same, no matter what culture or religion the person is from, suggests that it's something our brains do biologically, and isn't based on learning or life experiences.
6652
According to what I understand about Scientology (not an immense amount, but enough to have an opinion - ;-)), the Scientologist does not believe that we are ultimately material beings, therefore, anything that is happening to us physically is not really happening, it is an illusion.  So, ANY form of disorder or illness would be an illusion, not just post-partum depression.  The argument, I think, should not be whether or not suffering is an illusion - it doesn't matter, because it certainly FEELS real and because of that alone, should be dealt with.  If there are medications to help us change our "perception" of reality so that it helps us or others, it should be considered as all a part of the "scientological" process (whatever it REALLY is).  If Katie Holmes gets hit by a truck (God forbid), Tom's view of reality will most certainly be affected, whether it is real or not. It would be enlightening to see what Scientologists as outspoken as Mr. Cruise would do in such an earth-shattering situation - would he hold to his beliefs or not??
322800
your husband has schizophrenia,,,Delusions - false beliefs strongly held in spite of invalidating evidence, especially as a symptom of mental illness: for example, \nParanoid delusions, or delusions of persecution, for example believing that people are "out to get" you, or the thought that people are doing things when there is no external evidence that such things are taking place. \nDelusions of reference - when things in the environment seem to be directly related to you even though they are not. For example it may seem as if people are talking about you or special personal messages are being communicated to you through the TV, radio, or other media. \nSomatic Delusions are false beliefs about your body - for example that a terrible physical illness exists or that something foreign is inside or passing through your body. \nDelusions of grandeur - for example when you believe that you are very special or have special powers or abilities. An example of a grandiouse delusion is thinking you are a famous rock star. \nHallucinations - Hallucinations can take a number of different forms - they can be: \nVisual (seeing things that are not there or that other people cannot see), \nAuditory (hearing voices that other people can't hear, \nTactile (feeling things that other people don't feel or something touching your skin that isn't there.) \nOlfactory (smelling things that other people cannot smell, or not smelling the same thing that other people do smell) \nGustatory experiences (tasting things that isn't there) \nDisorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence) - these are also called "word salads". \nGrossly disorganized or catatonic behavior (An abnormal condition variously characterized by stupor/innactivity, mania, and either rigidity or extreme flexibility of the limbs). \nNegative symptoms, these are the lack of important abilities. Some of these include: \nlack of emotion - the inability to enjoy acitivities as much as before \nLow energy - the person sits around and sleeps much more than normal \nlack of interest in life, low motivation \nAffective flattening - a blank, blunted facial experession or less lively facial movements or physical movements. \nAlogia (difficulty or inability to speak) \nInappropriate social skills or lack of interest or ability to socialize with other people \nInability to make friends or keep friends, or not caring to have friends \nSocial isolation - person spends most of the day alone or only with close family\n\nNote: Only one Criterion A symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person’s behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.
58053
My guess is that this person would learn to experience life without vision at all, and thus would dream sounds, tactile sensations, etc. but would see very few visions in their dreams at all beyond those they would see during the course of a day (most blind people are not 100% sightless).