People with severe bipolar disorder may experience hallucinations, where they see or hear things that don't exist. They may also have delusions, in which they firmly believe in something that is not true. Visual hallucinations can occur in a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and psychotic mood disorders. We report a case of visual hallucinations in a young woman with bipolar disorder during the manic phase.
Not everyone is aware that some people with bipolar disorder also have psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and auditory and visual hallucinations. These can arise during periods of extreme moods, both mania and depression. For some people, voices can be comforting during mania, providing ideas and filling them with confidence. During depression, voices can be loud and incoherent, making it an intense experience.
While bipolar disorder cannot be cured, it can be managed with proper diagnosis and treatment. It is important to work with a therapist who has experience treating the condition. Psychosis often accompanies episodes of extreme mania in people with bipolar I disorder. Postpartum psychosis is rare but more common in people with a history of bipolar disorder.
