Psychiatrist says young man hallucinated about talking to Kareena Kapoor ‘wearing a red dress’; we understand the condition

A young man’s world became entangled with Bollywood when he started experiencing hallucinations, believing he was having conversations with some actors, including Kareena Kapoor Kahn. The 22-year-old’s parents, worried about his withdrawn behaviour and neglected routine, brought him to a consultant psychiatrist who shared the case study on X.

In a tweet, Dr Shrirang Joshi — who goes by ‘Psycho Doctor’ on the microblogging site — recounted listening to the parents’ concerns and speaking with the young man privately. Initially shy, the patient gradually opened up, revealing conversations with the Crew actor and even seeing her on a daily basis. Even during the session, the man was under the impression that the actor was sitting beside him, wearing a red dress.

Sharing details, the Mumbai-based psychiatrist wrote, “A 22-year-old boy was brought to me by his parents. They complained that his behaviour had changed for a month. He started being in his world, interacting less with people around him and neglecting his routine activities. I listened to the complaints of his parents and then asked them to wait outside. I wanted to talk to that boy alone. He appeared shy and withdrawn. I asked him about his life. After he became comfortable with me, he started sharing. He told me that top film stars talk to him and ask his advice… I asked him about who talked to him. He said it was mainly Kareena Kapoor and some others. He claimed that he sees her too… ” further adding that the young man was suffering from auditory and visual hallucinations,“.

Kareena Kapoor

A 22 year old boy was brought to me by his parents. They complained that his behaviour had changed since a month. He started being in his own world, interacting less with people around and neglecting his routine activities.

I listened to the complaints of his…

— Psychodoctor (@Psychodoctor06) April 20, 2024

To know more about the condition, we reached out to Dr Sachin Baliga, consultant psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, who told indianexpress.com that that auditory hallucinations are the perception of sounds or voices that aren’t actually there. “They can range from simple noises to full conversations, and can be very distressing for those experiencing them.”

Causes and when to seek help

Dr Baliga further highlighted that while auditory hallucinations are often associated with mental health conditions like schizophrenia, they can also have other causes:

• Sleep deprivation
• Medication side effects
• Hearing loss
• Migraines

“Interestingly,” Dr Baliga added, “research suggests that up to 10% of healthy individuals may experience occasional auditory hallucinations, like hearing their name being called or vague sounds. These are usually brief and non-distressing.”

However, the @PsychoDoctor, in his tweet, emphasised the importance of seeking professional help if hallucinations are:

• Frequent
• Disruptive
• Cause distress
• Involve hearing voices talking to or about you

Treatment and the road to recovery

While medication might initially feel disruptive to the patient, it’s crucial for their health. With treatment, they can return to reality and engage with real people, not figments of their imaginations.

Thankfully, with proper treatment, the young man recovered, the doctor shared. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking professional help for unusual changes in behavior and the potential for underlying mental health conditions.

If you notice a family member experiencing auditory hallucinations, especially those involving voices, Dr Baliga urged consulting a mental health professional to determine the cause and discuss treatment options. Remember, early intervention is key to managing these experiences and improving well-being.

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