unsure about hallucination

Ballerina123 · 07-06-2014, 05:01 PM

Today I saw a man with an axe. He followed me home then stood outside my house for a period of time.

I was scared so I called htt who advised me to call the police.

I called the police (they know I'm a mental health patient) they came round and checked the neighborhood/took a description.
They said they couldn't find any one and it was most likely my mental health giving me hallucinations.

So I'm unsure if it's a hallucination. I've been having them lately so I'm not sure if this is one. That's why I called htt first but they thought it might be real and told me to call the police.

The police said next time to call 999 (i originally called 101). If it's a hallucination and i call 999 im wasting police time but if it's real and i don't call 999 he could be a risk to the community.

Any advice

random.swirls · 07-06-2014, 05:22 PM

What about taking a photo so you can look at it and see at another point?

frenchhorn · 07-06-2014, 05:23 PM

can you ask anyone in your area if they have seen someone of his description?

K8EB · 07-06-2014, 06:10 PM

It is highly unlikely that there was anyone with an axe following you. If there had been then someone else would also have rung the police. There is a principle that I find really helpful. It's called Ockham's razor and is that the simplest explanation is the most likely. If you have a mental illness with hallucinations then it is more likely to be a hallucination than anything else as it is such a bizarre experience.
That said , the photo is an excellent idea. Especially if he is outside so won't see you.

sherlock holmes · 07-06-2014, 08:08 PM

I agree with Cam and K8EB.

Firstly, if you think someone is following you, take pictures/video and watch it back. If there's someone there then they are not an hallucination, though you need to be careful that they are not just walking the same way as you but you're paranoid you're being followed.

Then the next step is to show the photo to someone quickly and call the police.

Or if you are in a busy place and you see someone with an axe or any kind of weapon then you can shout/get someone else's attention. If it's not a hallucination then other people will also react.