The Psychology of Hallucinations

What triggers a hallucination? Can our lifestyles impact the likelihood of auditory or visual hallucinations? Can hallucinations be a part of normal cognition? The Psychology of Hallucinations takes readers on a journey through visual and auditory hallucinations―perceptions experienced in the absence of external stimuli yet felt with compelling realism. It explores the ways hallucinations have been embraced throughout history by some cultures whilst also looking at how they have become a subject of scepticism and fear. The book adopts a compassionate look at the clinical and psychiatric implications of hallucinations alongside lifestyle factors such as sleep deprivation and substance use. Whether they represent a doorway to creative revelation, markers of struggle or subjects of philosophical inquiry, hallucinations deserve exploration that is curious, compassionate and clear-eyed. This volume provides just that―a guide for anyone seeking to understand, rather than simply fear, the mysteries at the borders of the mind.