To be worried

[Dpresst]

I have been under a lot of stress recently which has triggered depression and anxiety and panic attacks. My GP has doubled my antidepressants and I am in touch with my local crisis team for support.
Over the past week I’ve been having what I can only describe as hallucinations. I was in the supermarket and thought I heard two different people hissing at me, I’m also hearing police sirens a lot. Yesterday I saw my husband walking towards me talking to me but a second later he was sitting on the sofa and had been watching TV the whole time. I’m getting a bit scared. I am waiting for my GP to call but wonder if anyone knows what could be causing this?

The title should say “Am I right to be worried” 🤦🏻‍♀️

Yes you should tell a doctor or nurse asap incase it worsens and you're not able to distinguish this from reality

I think they can be known to cause hallucinations so would definitely speak to someone as they may want to stop/switch you.

Many things can cause auditory and visual hallucinations, including stress, depression and anxiety. It's good that you've contacted the GP, if the crisis team are due to see you soon you can also mention it to them, they may keep an eye on things or refer you to another service.

Hallucinations are very common experiences, but understandably scary! I hope you get the support you require x

Thank you, hopefully the GP will call me back today.

i didn’t consider this could be related to the antidepressants, thank you I will mention it to the GP.

That’s reassuring thank you, hopefully it is just the stress and I’m not deteriorating into something more serious.

You are definitely right to contact your GP. This could lead to psychosis if untreated which could lead to admission. Hope you get sorted.

I've had this on citalopram, I was seeing ghosts

Please don't worry about psychosis or admission yet. What you're currently experiencing would not meet threshold for a first episode of psychosis team (I work in one) And absolutely definitely not an admission! Of course things can deteriorate, but I don't think thinking about that right now is helpful for you. If you're under 35 and they have funding in your area you may be referred to EDIT, they work with people who have had some unusual experiences, as you've described, and they only offer therapy, no medication etc. As above, people can experience these types of symptoms for a multitude of reasons and therapy works really well in normalising them, providing you with psychoeducation as to why they may be happening and exploring the trigger whatever that may be, ie stress, how to manage it better, or CBT to work on your anxiety/depression, trauma therapy if appropriate etc.

Yes, I heard people whispering behind me and opening doors behind me on my first antidepressant (fluoxetine).

I also have severe anxiety and mental health issues and get these hallucinations but I’m not on medication besides ibuprofen occasionally

I'd imagine it's a combination of the tablet dose and the stress. I hope your GP is helpful. Can you get in touch with your crisis team if you're worried. Stress can do horrible things to the body/mind.

I was given sertraline as an antidepressant- I heard voices and screaming. Could be the increase in the medication. I was given one for post natal depression (35 years ago) can’t remember the name but it was a dreadful experience. I take mirtazapine now and liquid promazine for times when I feel very anxious- the latter was prescribed by a consultant after my dad had a stroke and it sent my head west. It’s been a very useful medication to keep back for desperate days. I hope you get sorted OP xx