Is it an illusion to frequently mistake things? A precursor to hallucinations

Frequent misreading of things may not necessarily be an illusion, but it can be a precursor to the occurrence of hallucinations. Illusions are usually caused by sensory abnormalities, mental illness, medication effects, sleep deprivation, brain disorders, and other factors, manifested as false perceptions without external stimuli. If there are frequent instances of misreading or distorting reality, one should be alert to early mental disorders or neurological problems.

1. Sensory abnormalities

Visual information processing deviations may lead to transient misreading of object contours or colors, commonly seen when fatigued or in low light conditions. This type of situation is mostly a physiological response, which can be alleviated by resting or adjusting the ambient light. If accompanied by attention deficit or memory confusion, mild cognitive impairment may be considered.

2. Early stage of mental illness

Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other diseases may present with prodromal symptoms of visual hallucinations, such as repeatedly mistaking shadows for human figures. This type of situation is often accompanied by logical thinking disorder or emotional fluctuations, and requires professional psychiatric examination and evaluation. Early intervention can help delay the progression of the disease.

3. Drug side effects

Some antidepressants and sedatives may cause visual perception distortion, leading to the perception of static objects as dynamic. Abnormal drug metabolism or combination therapy are more likely to occur. In the event of such a situation, the frequency of occurrence should be recorded and timely communication with the doctor should be made to adjust the medication plan.

4. Sleep Problems

Long term sleep deprivation can reduce the function of the visual cortex in the brain, leading to hallucination like sensory experiences. Patients with sleep apnea syndrome often experience transient visual distortions during the day. After improving sleep quality, most people's symptoms will significantly alleviate.

5. Neurological disorders

Early neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia may present with complex visual hallucinations. If the phenomenon of misreading continues to worsen, accompanied by memory loss or movement disorders, brain imaging examination should be performed to rule out organic lesions. Maintaining a regular schedule and moderate exercise can help maintain neurological health, ensuring at least 7 hours of high-quality sleep per day. Add deep-sea fish, nuts, and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to the diet, and supplement B vitamins in moderation. Avoid staring at electronic screens for long periods of time and relax your eyes by looking far away every hour. If symptoms occur frequently or affect daily life, it is recommended to seek professional evaluation from a psychiatrist or neurology department as soon as possible, and not to take psychiatric drugs on your own. Mindfulness meditation training can improve perceptual accuracy in daily life, record the environment and physical state when symptoms occur, and provide reference for doctors' diagnosis.