Childhood hallucinations.

Abstract

SUMMARYThe definition and problems in diagnosis of childhood hallucinations is the background of a critical review of reported figure of incidence. Hallucinations, occurring in clear consciousness in a child psychiatric in‐patient population are presented. There was a frequency of 5 per cent in the general in‐patient group. Eighty‐one per cent of these with psychosis of late onset (5–15 years) were hallucinated in contrast to the infantile psychosis group (onset before 3 years) where none were found. Descriptions of children with hallucinations arising in great stress, late onset psychosis and Mandrax Intoxication are given.