Some neurological conditions and external factors, like schizophrenia and drugs, target the nervous system and cause tactile hallucinations. Tactile hallucinations occur when you feel a false sensation of touch on the skin or inside the body. It is essential to seek treatment to manage your symptoms to control your tactile hallucinations, and get a sense of reality back.
Symptoms of Tactile Hallucinations
Usually, tactile hallucinations can cause uncomfortable and disturbing sensations of touch. It could feel as if bugs are crawling on or under your skin. Some also experience feeling like their organs are shifting or trying to come out of their bodies.
Sometimes, the condition can bring about harmless, pleasant sensations. However, this condition can be hazardous if you inadvertently harm yourself to get rid of the touch you are experiencing.
What Causes Tactile Hallucinations
Several conditions are known to cause tactile hallucinations, such as schizophrenia, Lewy body dementia, and Parkinson’s disease. Tactile hallucinations can also be the result of illicit drug use or alcohol withdrawal.
When seeking medical care, a doctor will use diagnostic tools to rule out these possible causes. Medical testing may include blood and urine screens as well as an MRI scan of the brain.
Coping Strategies
Recognizing triggers and avoiding them are excellent ways to cope with tactile hallucinations. You can also keep yourself busy by engaging in a hobby or exercising to produce “feel good” endorphins.
It may help you to go somewhere peaceful and quiet. Remind yourself that this feeling is temporary and will eventually go away. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can also provide you with more coping strategies to use and help you engage with society.
Educating Yourself
One of the major problems of having hallucinations is when people are afraid to admit they have them. Reading educational materials about schizophrenia and hallucinations can give you a better understanding of what you are going through and how to find potential treatment options.
It is also helpful if your loved ones educate themselves on your condition to better understand it. Tactile hallucinations will be manageable as long as you have the education and tools to conquer them.
Tactile hallucinations occur when you think you are being touched on your skin or inside your body. They can interfere with daily life if you find it hard to take your focus off of these sensations. Having the education and tools you need will help you manage your symptoms. At Alta Loma, we understand the challenging symptoms of schizophrenia, and we are here to help you. Located in Georgetown, Texas, we can provide you with individualized therapy, medication management, coping skills, education, and more. Give us a call at (866) 457-3843 to learn more about our services.