PTSD Hallucinations

[Roxy123]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. A person I know has had several visits to the hospital, the hospital is saying there is nothing wrong with her but a doctor is saying because of a mentally abusive relationship and, issues involving her kids that she is has PTSD Hallucinations. This has been happening very frequently, strange things like eating fish food, trying to drink hair conditioner, buttering her shoe with butter, thinking she is making a cake whilst sitting on the floor, putting a towel into the toilet, possibly thinking it was a washing machine, she was off to the beach and is back in 1993 even though we are in 2017. All of this is happening and last for about 12 hours. For many years she has been a very heavy drinker, but not every day drinker but when she did could go on a bender for a couple of days. She has spent time in Rehab a few times. I believe she no longer drinks, but I know she has been on prescription medication. My question is, can a person experience things like I have mentioned from PTSD, or do you think some kids of drug/prescription medication is getting used. Some people are convinced it is PTSD, but I am not. She can function on days perfect then hours later is completely unaware of what is going on around her. Thank you, look forward to hearing your feedback

[Croix]

Dear Roxy123~

Thanks for posting here and welcome to the beyondblue Forum.

I'm not sure I can answer you directly, I can only say what my experiences have been. I was a policeman and was eventually invalided out with PTSD, depression and anxiety.

OK, when I was at my worst I had periods when I was completely absorbed in thoughts about the things that affected me, some of which were a fair number of years ago. They were sort of real, and kept me from knowing what was going on around me. They came with a whole lot of strong emotions. Anger, fear, self blame, all sorts of things. Lots of other things too including bad sleep and nightmares. Poor personal relations

Not a complete list, but will give you the idea.

At times I have been on what I call auto-pilot, and would go though the motions of doing something and guess what, I've put a towel in the toilet too - rather than hanging it back up. I have no idea why. Put things in a cold oven that belonged in a cupboard. Driven to the wrong place. Umpteen examples. Mind always elsewhere, preoccupied.

My episodes did not last very long, certainly not 12 hours, and I could go for days ok, then have one flashback or more. I was never a heavy drinker but was (still am) on meds.

So what can I say? There are some similarities with what you describe, I'm not a doctor so can't say any more.

I really hope your friend has good medical help on an ongoing basis, I certainly would not be here without it. I also hope she has personal and family support too.

Perhaps you might like to post again and talk some more.

Croix