How do hallucinations in schizophrenia differ from those in narcolepsy?

Hallucinations are experiences where someone sees, hears, or feels things that are not actually there. In schizophrenia, hallucinations are often auditory, meaning people hear voices or sounds that others do not. These voices can be distressing and are a key symptom of schizophrenia.

In contrast, hallucinations in narcolepsy are usually related to sleep. People with narcolepsy might experience vivid, dream-like images or sounds as they are falling asleep (these can happen when waking up but are less common than when falling asleep). These are called hypnagogic hallucinations (when they occur during falling asleep) or hypnopompic hallucinations (when they occur while waking up).

While both conditions involve hallucinations, the triggers and experiences differ. Schizophrenia-related hallucinations occur during wakefulness and are more persistent, whereas narcolepsy-related hallucinations are linked to sleep transitions. In addition to hallucinations, there are other symptoms associated with schizophrenia and these symptoms are not the same as the other symptoms associated with narcolepsy. If you or someone you know is experiencing hallucinations, it is important to seek help from a healthcare professional for personalized assessment and treatment. For more information about mental health concerns, you can also visit 988lifeline.org.