Reality Bites

In bouts of hallucinations from auditory to visual, it amazes the human mind for an explanation. For example, a mirage in the desert that’s totally deceiving. They say the human mind is so powerful.

But how do you discern reality from imagination?

Perhaps discernment is determined by a couple of aggravating circumstances. For example, when you see something, is it really there? Does another person see the same object or thing?

If you claim that you’re being stalked, do you have evidence as seen by another? However, if you are accompanied by things like lack of sleep. I would tell you to sleep again!

Reality and imagination is hard to determine especially for a person diagnosed with psychosis. Big words! I am defining things not from the perspective of a mental health professional but as a person with lived experiences of a mental struggle.

How do you overcome these hallucinations? I used to ask myself under psychosis, if what I hear is true. I usually ask myself, is what you are thinking — right? Is what you are believing — good for you? Is what you’re hearing or seeing — true to form? Sometimes, I pinch myself as if I am asleep.

Is that self-harm? No, just a grounding technique of trying to feel. But hey, don’t overdo it or else you’re like wearing red lipstick on your arms. There are other ways of grounding yourself like listening to music without words. Just the tunes and tones that relax the mood. If you think you’ve been followed, ask yourself am I famous to be even talked about or followed about by everyone? You’ll know the answer.

Is believing in astrology, tarot cards or Feng Shui even valid? In my perspective, every thought is valid as every emotion is. But in the end, if it’s good for you, believe in it. If it’s not good for you then let it go. Ask yourself what matters to you even in the event of illusions and delusions.

I wonder why magic is even said to be magic? Is it a figment of imagination? A series of acts or bodily movements. Are even disappearing acts real?

The mind is a powerful magnet, use it well and dwell with what makes you happy and is important to you. But hey, try not to overdo things. Too much may end you losing the nails and screws on your head.

Perhaps reality is an illusion. What if you’re hearing something that is not true? What if your delusion is not how you think it is? To lose your mind is one thing but to act on a thought is another thing.

What you do after a thought that seems impossible and crazy is really as it is — crazy! Feed your mind with good thoughts. If not, feed it with simple things and not complicated things. Don’t think too much, they say. But hey, as active as our brains are, we end overthinking.

Perhaps, control is the word. If you can control your thoughts then maybe you are not insane. If you can control your emotions, you’re good. Where lies the distinction between sanity and insanity?

As always, you’ll be the judge of things. You are the only one who can figure out what’s real from what is not. Afterall, it’s your own mind we’re talking about.

Yes, you can do it but with help from the professionals. Why? It is because only a mental health professional can distinguish sanity from insanity. Why? It is because insanity is an after effect of combined or mixed circumstances like lack of sleep and a diagnosis.

It’s hard to be functional when you are having hallucinations and delusions, but take it slowly, you’ll figure it out with enough sleep.

I guess I need to sleep now! Would you agree?