The key difference between a hallucination and a delusion lies in the way they affect a person's perception of reality.
- Hallucinations are sensory experiences that seem real but aren't based on any external stimulus. They can involve any of the five senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste).
- Example: Seeing a person who isn't there, hearing voices, feeling a phantom touch, or smelling something that isn't present.
- Delusions are false beliefs that are strongly held despite evidence to the contrary. These beliefs are often illogical or impossible, but the individual believes them to be true.
- Example: Believing that you're being followed, that you have special powers, or that someone is trying to harm you.
While both hallucinations and delusions can be symptoms of mental health conditions, they are distinct experiences. Hallucinations involve sensory perception, while delusions involve distorted beliefs.
