Call your health care provider if:

A person who begins to hallucinate and is detached from reality should get checked by a health care professional right away. Many medical and psychiatric conditions that can cause hallucinations may quickly become emergencies.

A person who begins to hallucinate may become nervous, paranoid, and frightened, and should not be left alone.

Call your health care provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if someone appears to be hallucinating and is unable to tell hallucinations from reality.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your health care provider will do a physical examination and take a medical history. Blood may be drawn for testing.

Medical history questions may include the following:

• How long have the hallucinations been occurring?
• Do the hallucinations occur just before or just after sleep?
• Has there been a recent death or other emotional event?
• What medications are being taken?
• Has alcohol been used?
• Are illegal drugs being used?
• Is there agitation?
• Is there confusion?
• Is there a fever?
• Is there a headache?
• Is there vomiting?