How long are panic attacks?

Panic attacks usually only last for a short period of time, usually reaching their peak and passing within 10 minutes. A panic attack can last anywhere from just a few minutes to being as long as 30 minutes.

How long does anxiety last?

Anxiety is a natural response to things that may stress or worry you, but feeling anxiety when there isn’t any clear reason to is a sign of having an anxiety disorder. Generally, if you feel anxious long enough that it begins to interfere with your daily life, you may wish to speak to somebody about the anxiety that you feel.

What is the difference between fear and anxiety?

The fear reaction is an intense physical response to an immediate danger. On the other hand, anxiety is worry or unease about something that may happen.

What is an addictive personality?

Typically, somebody is characterized as having an addictive personality when they easily obsess or fixate on certain things. Other addictive personality traits include being impulsive, being open to trying anything new regardless of the consequences, and needing to be around other people. But keep in mind that experts recognize having these personality traits doesn’t guarantee that you will have an addiction, just as not having these characteristics doesn’t mean that you are safe from substance use.

How do you know if you have an addictive personality?

Do you find yourself becoming fixated on one particular hobby, activity, or feeling? Do you find yourself chasing “highs” or exhilarating experiences without being able to stop? Are you willing to try anything despite the consequences, especially in social situations? If so, you might have an addictive personality.

How do you prevent addiction?

The best way to prevent addiction is to keep track of any risk factors that could increase your chances of developing a substance use disorder. For example, if you have a family history of addiction, surround yourself with others who frequently use drugs or alcohol, and/or you have untreated mental health disorders, you are at a much higher risk of struggling with addiction. Getting professional mental health help and advice before substance use takes control is the best way to prevent addiction and maintain recovery.

What does triggered mean?

In the context of mental health, the term “trigger” refers to a situation or experience that acts as a catalyst for an emotional, physical, or behavioral response. When somebody is triggered by something or someone, they might have a severe reaction that leads to an increase in mental discomfort, such as being upset, angry, or another unpleasant emotion.

What is an emotional trigger?

An emotional trigger is something that causes distress. Emotional reactions to triggers can look like crying, unexplained anger, increased anxiety, feelings of panic, physical symptoms, and more.

What triggers people’s emotions?

Common triggers that create an emotional response could be anything from hearing a certain song, being in an unsafe environment, or remembering back to a traumatic event. Everybody has their own emotional triggers, which is why it’s important to receive guidance from mental health professionals—with the right support, you will be able to begin to identify your emotional triggers and learn how to regulate your response.

Becoming sober starts with finding the right treatment center for your specific needs. Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital is here to help you toward the path of recovery and give you the resources you need to stay sober after you leave your treatment program.

What’s the point of being sober?

Being sober helps you to find your true self once again. Moreover, being sober can help you rebuild relationships, thrive in your career, and find happiness that is not clouded by addictive substances.

Do I need to get sober?

If you find that you are exhibiting signs of substance abuse with alcohol and/or drugs, you might need to get sober. In addition to the challenging emotional and social side effects of addiction, addiction can also threaten your physical wellbeing. Getting sober is the best way that you can protect yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

What insurance does Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital take?

We accept the following insurances: Medicaid, OPTUM, Medicare, Multiplan, Megellan Health, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Cigna, ChampVA, United Behavioral Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Amerigroup RealSolutions, AmeriaHealth Caritas Louisiana, Aetna. Please check with your insurance provider for all terms and conditions related to coverage at Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital.

What can I bring to Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital (BBH)?

* 4-5 Changes of casual clothing and undergarments. No drawstrings. We have laundry supplies available to launder items. * BBH is not responsible for lost or damaged items. * Shoes with no laces (comfortable slip-ons are preferable), shower shoes. Shoes should be weather appropriate. Shoe laces are not permitted on the unit unless there is a doctor's order. * Jacket or coat * “New, unopened” toiletries, hygiene products. No mirrors or glass bottles. * Tobacco products must be unopened and are kept at nurses station. Lighters and matches are prohibited. There are designated times and areas for smoking. * Disposable razors will be locked up and used with supervision. * ID and insurance cards. * Small amount of cash (no more than $50-$60) for tobacco products or toiletries. We do not use debit cards or cash checks. * No caffeine or sugar allowed. * We will keep cell phones in a safe area, not allowed on the unit.

Delusions vs Hallucinations: Understanding False Realities

Delusions and hallucinations are both symptoms of mental health disorders that alter a person’s perception of reality. However, while similar, they are not the same. Understanding the differences between delusions vs hallucinations can be helpful in diagnosis and treatment as well as in the management of mental health conditions that cause these symptoms.

The mind is an incredibly powerful tool. The brain dictates moods, thoughts, and behaviors, and creates individuals’ realities. When a mental health condition develops, a malfunction in the brain can occur. When this happens, the alterations in the brain can cause misunderstandings between what is real and what is imagined in our everyday lives.

Both delusions and hallucinations distort reality in ways that are incredibly difficult for a person to understand. While delusions can be a mental illness on their own (Delusional Disorder), delusions and hallucinations are often a part of a bigger problem. Knowing the difference between these two conditions can help you determine the best course of action.

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What Are Delusions?

Delusions are false beliefs. Therefore, a person experiencing a delusion will steadfastly believe in something that isn’t true. Usually, these beliefs persist even when there is evidence that they are not real. Delusions are referred to as non-bizarre or bizarre in nature. Examples of delusions that are non-bizarre include something that could actually happen in real life, like a cheating spouse. On the other hand, examples of delusions that are bizarre include things that could never happen in real life, such as the ability to become invisible.

Types of Delusions

There are many different types of delusions but delusional thinking generally follows patterns. Therefore, types of delusions are categorized by theme. Delusional themes include:

Grandiose Delusions:
Symptoms of grandiose delusional disorder center around beliefs of superiority. In other words, the person believes they are better than others.
Jealous Delusions:
Jealous delusions often revolve around beliefs of being the victim of an affair.
Erotomanic Delusions:
A person with erotomanic delusions believes that an important person (for example, a celebrity) is in love with them. This could be harmless or lead to behaviors such as stalking.
Somatic Delusions:
People with somatic delusions believe they are suffering from a medical condition or parasitic infection that they do not have.
Persecutory Delusions:
This is thought to be the most common type of delusion. Persecutory delusions are paranoid in nature and include beliefs like being spied on. Alternatively, a person could believe others are out to harm them. Schizophrenic delusions are most often of a persecutory nature.

Delusional psychosis can be a condition of its own or could be a symptom of another disorder. Other conditions that may cause delusions include:

Alzheimer’s Disease
Dementia
Brain Injury
Parkinson’s Disease
Delusional Disorders
Schizophrenia
Mood Disorders
Substance Abuse
Drug-Induced Psychosis

Depending on the person’s beliefs, delusional thoughts may not cause distress. For example, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may experience delusions that do not necessarily disrupt their life, such as their being able to communicate with a deceased family member. Alternatively, someone diagnosed with schizophrenia may believe that they are being spied upon through the appliances, which could become a major source of stress in their life.

Hallucinations are similar to delusions in the sense that they cause a person to feel that they’re experience something that didn’t actually happen. However, hallucinations are not based on beliefs.

What Are Hallucinations?

Hallucinations are like delusions, but instead of centering on misbeliefs, they involve sensory misperceptions. That is, a person will feel, see, taste, hear, or smell something that isn’t there. Like delusions, hallucinations are often a symptom of a broader disorder, but can also be caused by situational circumstances, such as substance abuse.

Types of Hallucinations

Hallucinations affect your senses and are categorized by such. Therefore, types of hallucinations include:

Auditory (hearing)
Visual (seeing)
Olfactory (smelling)
Tactile (feeling)
Gustatory (tasting)

Hallucinations are created in the brain and are very real to the person experiencing them. Given this, they can be quite distressing. Causes of hallucination are similar to those of delusions. For example, the mental illness schizophrenia is a common cause of hallucinations. In addition, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, epilepsy, and brain injuries are also common causes. Further, it is not unusual for a person who is going through drug or alcohol detox to hear, see, or feel things that aren’t real, which is one of the reasons detoxing under medical supervision is so heavily recommended.

Delusions vs Hallucinations Treatment

The treatment of either delusions or hallucinations will greatly depend on the condition that is causing these breaks with reality. If psychosis is not evident, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common approach to the treatment of delusions. CBT offers the opportunity for the person to address their delusions and to discuss alternate possibilities about their misbeliefs. This type of therapy will be paired with medication if necessary.

Hallucinations are also treated with a combination of therapies. However, medication may be more of a first approach if the hallucination is tied to a mental illness or physical condition. The type of medication used will depend on the condition causing the hallucination.

If substance abuse is causing delusions and hallucinations, an evaluation by a medical professional versed in both mental health and addiction treatment is often the first step.

Mental Health Help in Louisiana

Delusions and hallucinations can be upsetting to those experiencing them as well as to those around them. At Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital, our treatment team is well versed in stabilizing patients who are experiencing hallucinations and delusions regardless of the severity.

At our Louisiana mental health hospital, we offer adult psychiatric programs in both inpatient and outpatient formats. In addition, we offer a dual diagnosis program to address any accompanying addiction and can assist in crisis stabilization. At Baton Rouge Hospital we understand that no two patients are the same, and we provide individualized options to cater to your recovery needs.

To learn more about our mental health treatment options contact us at Call Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital: (225) 567-8698 or by using our confidential online form, many times we can get you admitted as soon as today.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Delusions vs Hallucinations

What causes delusions and hallucinations?

Delusions and hallucinations can be caused by numerous conditions. Often, these breaks with reality are caused by mental illness, physical ailments, or substance abuse.

What can stop hallucinations?

Hallucinations are created in the brain. Usually, they are from a mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia) or a physical condition (e.g., epilepsy). However, they can also occur from substance abuse. To stop hallucinations, the source will need to be determined. From there, the appropriate treatment plan can be outlined. Usually, this includes medication, psychotherapy, and/or a drug detox.

What is the difference between hallucinations and delusions?

The main difference between hallucinations and delusions is that hallucinations revolve around senses and delusions center on beliefs. Therefore, a hallucination includes seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, or feeling something that isn’t there. On the other hand, delusions are false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary.

Delusions vs Hallucinations: Understanding False Realities