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Hallucinations are defined as false sense of perception or seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling or even tasting things that aren't really there. Hallucinations in children are sometimes part of a child's normal development. In fact, children are often encouraged to engage in imaginary play to enhance learning and development. All things can transform into magical objects with countless possibilities - a chair becomes a spaceship one day and a castle, a tree, a dinosaur, or a pirate ship the next day. Children like to play pretend - girls having a tea party with Barbie, or young boys fighting with an imaginary villain. If childhood imaginary play is normal, when is non-existing voices or people become a cause for concern for parents? Unlike normal child's play, real hallucinations cause real fear and panic to children and may bring about great distress. They may happen without any warning, last for a while, then, suddenly disappear. These type of hallucinations in children are most commonly related to mental disorders and medical conditions such as head injuries, high fevers, sensory deprivation, child schizophrenia, etc. There are six common forms of hallucinations, auditory or hearing unreal voices or sounds, visual or seeing false objects and images, tactile or feeling unreal objects or sensations on the skin, somatic or feeling false internal movement, olfactory or smelling unreal things and hypersensitivity or having unusually strong but false sense of sight, sound and smell. Children commonly suffer from auditory and tactile hallucinations. However, they may experience different types of hallucination at the same time. The experiences of each child suffering from hallucinations vary and are often influenced by the cause. Here are some of the things that may cause hallucinations in children. 1. Significant emotional stress. Children who suffer from the loss of parents or love ones or those who are dealing with so much stress and trouble in life may experience hallucinations. 2. Physical Illnesses - Certain medical conditions such as seizures, high fever, migraines, infections and thyroid or adrenal glands disorders may also cause children to hear, see, smell and feel things that don't exist. 3. Drugs - Certain medications such as steroids and pain killers are known to have adverse effects on children especially when given in high dosages. Prescription medications for treating attention deficit behavior such as Ritalin, Adderall, Focalin, Concerta, amphetamine salts and Daytrana patcg also have hallucinatory side effects even when taken in the right dosages. Children who illegal drugs such as Cocaine, amphetamines, heroine, ecstacy, and LSD or are exposed to second-hand use may also suffer from hallucinations. 4. Nonpsychotic psychiatric disorders - A child who does bad things because an imaginary person told him so may be suffering from behavioral problems. Sometimes, these voices or hallucinations are caused by anxiety or depression. 5. Psychotic illnesses - Schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and other conditions with psychotic features generally cause hallucinations. Children with psychotic illnesses may also show signs of social withdrawal and inappropriate use of language. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from hallucinations, immediately consult a medical professional. If you're interested in getting more information about treatment for behavioural problems in children or if you are looking for a child pschologist Melbourne, go to the VCPS website today through the following links. http://www.vcps.com.au/ http://www.vcps.com.au/childteen-services
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