Which symptom is defined as perception without external stimulus?

Which symptom is defined as perception without external stimulus?

• A. Hallucinations
• B. Illusions
• C. Delusions
• D. Insight

Answer: (A)

Hallucinations are sensory experiences that occur in the absence of an external stimulus. You might hear voices, see things, or feel sensations that aren’t actually present, which is different from misinterpreting real sensory input (illusions) or holding a false belief (delusions). Insight is about a person recognizing that their experiences may be unusual or mental health–related. In practice, hallucinations can occur in conditions like schizophrenia, delirium, mood disorders with psychotic features, or substance effects, and they most commonly involve auditory or visual perceptions without an external source.

Hallucinations are sensory experiences that occur in the absence of an external stimulus. You might hear voices, see things, or feel sensations that aren’t actually present, which is different from misinterpreting real sensory input (illusions) or holding a false belief (delusions). Insight is about a person recognizing that their experiences may be unusual or mental health–related. In practice, hallucinations can occur in conditions like schizophrenia, delirium, mood disorders with psychotic features, or substance effects, and they most commonly involve auditory or visual perceptions without an external source.