My Experience with Therapy: Living with Hallucinations

Living with hallucinations as a teenager was confusing and scary. At first, I didn’t really understand what was happening. I’d see or hear things that weren’t there—voices, shadows, or flashes of images—and it made me feel like I was losing control. Sometimes I felt alone, like no one could understand what I was going through.

My parents didn’t know what to do. I often felt like they were scared of me, which made everything even harder. Their fear made me feel even more isolated and misunderstood, like I was battling this all by myself.

I didn’t tell anyone at first because I was afraid I’d be judged or treated differently. It wasn’t just embarrassing—it was terrifying. I worried people would think I was “crazy.” I didn’t know these experiences were symptoms that could be managed with help.

Therapy became a lifeline. My therapist helped me make sense of what was happening and assured me that hallucinations are symptoms, not a reflection of who I am. They taught me ways to cope when hallucinations started—like grounding myself by focusing on my senses or reminding myself that what I was experiencing wasn’t real.

It wasn’t easy. Some days the hallucinations were overwhelming, and therapy sessions felt tough. But bit by bit, I learned skills to manage my symptoms and feel more in control. My therapist also worked with me on my anxiety and stress, which sometimes made the hallucinations worse.

Tips I Wish I Could Have Told My Parents

• Be patient and stay calm, even when it’s scary or confusing. Your calmness helps me feel safer.

• Listen without judgment or jumping to conclusions—just hearing me can make a huge difference.

• Help me practice grounding techniques, like focusing on what I can see, hear, or touch in the moment.

• Encourage me to keep up with therapy and any treatments, and support me in that process.

• Let me know I’m not alone and that you’re on my side, even when the hallucinations feel overwhelming.

I’m still on this journey, but therapy gave me hope and tools to keep moving forward. If you’re a teenager dealing with hallucinations, know you’re not alone and that help is available. It’s okay to ask for support and start the conversation.