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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Hallucination In An Elderly Person?

Hello I am a 64 year old female. In fairly good health. Recently I find myself hallucinating; just seeing people & objects that are not there. But the main thing is I say things that are not true with no thought before I say it . It just comes out of my mouth; they are very bizarre stories and as soon as I say it I know it is not true but I cannot stop it. I am nervous a lot & I drop things a lot. I have a history of panic attacks and mood swings. What could be causing all this?
Mon, 24 Oct 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi thank you for posting here, i understand your situation,

Brief answer: Psychiatric or organic pathology like brain tumor

Detailed answer: Hallucinations are sensations that appear real but are created by your mind. They can affect all five of your senses. These symptoms may be caused by mental illness, the side effects of medications, physical illnesses like epilepsy or alcoholism or brain tumor (especially if you don't have psychotic illness in the past), terminal illnesses, such as AIDS, brain cancer, or kidney and liver failure, high fevers, especially in children and the elderly,migraines,social isolation, particularly in older adults. Even though you have mentioned about past history of panic attacks and mood swings both are included in neurotic illness in which hallucinations are rare. Because you have started to drop things as well i think it's important to rule out any brain tumor or other space occupying lesions in the brain especially at your age. Thank you.
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What Causes Hallucination In An Elderly Person?

Hi thank you for posting here, i understand your situation, Brief answer: Psychiatric or organic pathology like brain tumor Detailed answer: Hallucinations are sensations that appear real but are created by your mind. They can affect all five of your senses. These symptoms may be caused by mental illness, the side effects of medications, physical illnesses like epilepsy or alcoholism or brain tumor (especially if you don t have psychotic illness in the past), terminal illnesses, such as AIDS, brain cancer, or kidney and liver failure, high fevers, especially in children and the elderly,migraines,social isolation, particularly in older adults. Even though you have mentioned about past history of panic attacks and mood swings both are included in neurotic illness in which hallucinations are rare. Because you have started to drop things as well i think it s important to rule out any brain tumor or other space occupying lesions in the brain especially at your age. Thank you.