Do you have any tips on how to deal with Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) hallucinations?

For most people, there isn't just one way to deal with their hallucinations, but there are a few things you can try to do that may help:

  • When you have an hallucination, you can try making some changes to the things around you and to what you're doing, to see if this will make the hallucination stop - put on the television or radio, or stand up and move around slightly or go into a different room
  • Change the lighting around you - if your hallucinations happen in dim light, then open the curtains or turn on a light
  • Stare directly at the image or reach out to touch it
  • Try blinking your eyes rapidly a few times
  • Try a type of eye exercise where you move your eyes from left to right every second for 15-30 seconds, without moving your head. If the hallucinations continue, have a rest and try again. It's unlikely to work if you've tried 4-5 times and the hallucination is still there. You might want to try again another time for a different type of hallucination
  • Make sure you get enough sleep - some people find that their hallucinations are worse when they are tired or stressed
  • Don’t be afraid to check the area around you. It may be sensible to go slowly.

For further information on CBS see What is Charles Bonnet Syndrome? or I've started losing my sight and think I am seeing things that aren't really there. What should I do?

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