Hallucinations: deceptions or tricks played by the brain that involve the body’s senses
of seeing, hearing, tasting, feeling and smelling.
Visual hallucinations are the most common type that occurs with Parkinson’s. They are either formed or unformed. An example of a formed image is a deceased, historical, fictional or living person sitting on the couch with you. Although the image is real to you, other people cannot see it. An unformed image will appear as vague lights, lines, objects or shapes. Some hallucinations are described as friendly or pleasurable by PD patients; however, up to 30% of hallucinations can be frightening and require medical attention.
Sunday Afternoon Visitor
I was relaxing in my glass Florida room, my favorite because it overlooks the tropical backyard, patio and kidney shaped pool. The safe haven is home to many critters, and I enjoy nature at my fingertips. The vista is pure enchantment in the evening when the patio twinkles with white lights and spotlights illuminate columns, bird baths and palm trees.
Out of the corner of my eye, a startling black blur entered my peripheral vision. I jumped up and ran to the glass door leading to the patio. However, I missed the fast moving monster as it plopped into the swimming pool.
“Joe,” I screamed. But my words were inaudible. He was in the lower level. I tried again.
“On, no, it’s on the move again.” After a quick swish through the pool, this monster, this blur sprinted to the door where I was glued to the floor. Our eyes met. This black blob was a dog, a real dog! A handsome adult black Labrador!
“Unbelievable,” I muttered.
Photo Credit: Can Stock nsweetapple
Joe heard the commotion and appeared. As he opened the patio door slightly, the dog was delirious. Taking this as a welcome sign, the mighty visitor wedged his big head through the opening. Chauncey was nine-feet from the open door looking terrified as we’ve never had a dog in the house. I was terrified too! This scene was seconds away from pandemonium.
By grace, Joe’s strength ended the duel. The dog backed away from the door. In pure dog fashion, he shook water all over the patio. Then he disappeared as quickly and mysteriously as he arrived.
I have lived in this house for almost four decades. Live and drowned snakes, chameleons, squirrels and rats have been found in the pool. I have also removed a drowned raccoon and possum. Lexie Lee even fell in the pool once. I brought her in the house right after the incident, and she never wanted to go outside again. But a dog swimming in my pool! Now that was a first, but probably not the last! New neighbors to the back of us have a weekend visitor who brings their dog. So the time has come to shape up that weak corner in the fence. But that is a small price to pay. I am relieved and grateful the black blur was the real deal and not an unformed and frightening hallucination!
Question: Have you ever experienced a hallucination? If so, please describe. Was it fun or scary?
Blessings!
Linda
