SUBMITTED TO: MAM SUMIA KALSOOM

QUESTION NO: 1

Are there cultural or societal difference in the perception and interpretation of illusions,
delusions, and hallucinations?

Answer: 1

Yes, there can be cultural and societal difference in the perception and interpretation of illusions,
delusions and hallucinations.

Illusion:
The illusion is the misperception or misinterpretation of an individual that comes from a real
object. Implies a false ascribing of reality based on what one sees or imagines.

EXAMPLE:
The moon looks bigger at the horizon (about 30 percent bigger) than at its highest point in
the sky. This is because when the moon is near the horizon, we can see that it is farther away
than trees, houses, and other objects. When it is overhead at its zenith, such cues are lacking.
Delusions:

A false belief based on incorrect inference about external reality that is firmly sustained
despite what almost everybody else believes and despite what constitutes incontrovertible
and obvious proof or evidence to the contrary. It implies an inability to distinguish between
what is real and what only seems to be real, often as the result of a disordered state of mind.

Example:

An example of a bizarre delusion would be a belief that is strange and implausible such as a
person believing aliens have removed part of their brain. An example of a non-bizarre
delusion would refer to something that could potentially occur such as the person being
poisoned or followed.

Hallucination:

The experience of perceiving objects or events that do not have an external source, such
as hearing one’s name called by a voice that no one else seems to hear. A hallucination is
distinguished from an illusion, which is a misinterpretation of an actual stimulus. A
hallucination can literally be anything related to the senses, and different people with the
same condition can experience something totally unique. There are some common types of
hallucinations, though, including:
  A crawling feeling on the skin

 Hearing ordinary sounds that aren’t there, like doors closing or footsteps.

 Hearing voices, including those that command a person to do something.

 Seeing lights or patterns.

Example:

Hallucinations can happen any time there is a change in brain activity. For example,
some people are more vulnerable to hallucinations when they are falling asleep.
Hallucinations are sensory experiences that appear real but are created by one's mind.
Hallucinations have primarily been associated with networks outside those we have
described in reference to other symptomatologies, particularly including networks associated
with auditory perception.

Explanation:
 Certain cultural or religious beliefs may influence how a person interprets and understands
hallucination. In the same cultures, hallucinations may be seen as a spiritual experience or a
visitation from ancestors while in others they may be viewed as a sign of mental illness.

Similarly, social factors such as education, exposure to media and social norms can also
influence how a person perceives and interpret illusions and delusions. The people in
different cultures would be differentially susceptible to geometric illusions because they have
learned different, but always ecologically valid, visual inference habits. Depending upon the
degree of ecological unrepresentativeness of the illusion-inducing figure, these habits may or
may not result in illusion susceptibility. Then, applying this general hypothesis to the five
illusions, we generated a number of specific, different hypotheses.

QUESTION NO: 2

How can family members support someone who is experiencing delusion and hallucination?

ANSWER:

Support from family members can be very helpful for individuals who are experiencing delusions or
hallucinations.

Here are some ways that family members can support:

 Promote the person’s engagement with their social and support network.
 Develop a relationship with the person based on empathy and trust.
 Avoid blaming and shaming.
 Provide a safe and supportive environment.
 Speak to mental health professionals who understand delusional disorder to discuss how to best
help manage your loved one’s illness.