Auditory Hallucinations and Memory Loss in Alcohol Use Disorder - Psychiatry

Share to:

Auditory hallucinations, amnesia, agitation?


My sister came home on the night of April 18 and kept scrolling through Facebook, suddenly talking to herself, wondering if the news was about her, and continuously checking comments to see if they were mentioning her.
Normally, at that time, she would have gone to sleep immediately, let alone scrolling through Facebook for over an hour.
When I casually mentioned, "Aren't you going to sleep?" she turned off her phone and went to bed.
She is now about 27 years old and has had a drinking habit since her teenage years, drinking more heavily as she got older, consuming over ten bottles a day.
Regardless of the time or situation, she insists on drinking beer, even while working on construction sites, where she would drink all day and often consume energy drinks.
When she runs out of alcohol, she goes for rice wine.
On April 18, she woke up after only three hours of sleep and asked me to accompany her to the emergency room.
The nurse there told her to wait for the morning clinic.
I advised her to drink some hot milk and have breakfast at home, and she obediently followed my suggestion.
Later, my mom took her to register, but when the doctor asked her questions, she was hesitant and unable to articulate her thoughts.
Even after the doctor repeated the same questions several times, she would respond with confusion, saying, "Huh? What?" and seemed completely distracted.
Tests revealed she had high blood pressure and possibly a slight tendency towards diabetes.
My sister is quite overweight.
After I went to class, I was unaware of her condition after she was discharged and returned home.
By 10 PM, when I got home, she seemed normal at first, but shortly after my mom left the house, she suddenly acted strangely, staring at the TV without actually watching it.
I noticed she was almost finished with two large bottles of mineral water.
When I asked her if she knew how much water she had drunk, she said she knew, "Three cups," unaware of how much she had consumed.
She kept telling me she heard voices outside the window, as if someone was talking and threatening her, wondering why they didn't come in to confront her.
Suddenly, she broke down in tears in the living room.
When I asked her what was wrong, she said she was afraid to say anything.
She cried continuously, and after comforting her, she revealed that a certain relative had touched her when she was younger (the relative had just left minutes before she mentioned this), which she believed contributed to her becoming more masculine and led her to continuously drink alcohol (my sister identifies as a masculine lesbian).
She was in a state of emotional collapse, her gaze darting left and right, and she would suddenly talk to herself, asking where her phone was and denying stealing anything, saying, "What? I don't know what to say." When I pressed the remote control, she even asked if I could record her (I wasn't recording at the time).
Overall, she was acting very strangely, insisting she could hear people talking about her.
Since her recent breakup, she has been drinking heavily, fixating on whether her friends were talking about her and who it was.
Moreover, the places she goes to drink often have her ex-girlfriend's friends, which triggers her.
My sister feels that everyone is talking about her and misunderstanding her, leading her to drink more and obsessively think about it.
On the night of April 18, she mentioned where she had been, but when I asked her on the night of April 19 if she remembered where she had come back from, she said she didn't know and had no recollection of it.
Honestly, I am very worried that this could indicate a serious problem.
She even asked me if she was dying and has become very compliant, following my instructions about what to eat and drink, suggesting that she is scared herself.

Hui, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/04/20

Dr. Liu Runqian reply Psychiatry


Based on the symptoms you described, such as auditory hallucinations, delusions of reference (believing the news is about her), and paranoid delusions (feeling that someone is out to harm her), there are many potential underlying causes.
These symptoms could be due to alcohol use, emotional issues, or possibly a psychiatric disorder.
A further evaluation is necessary to determine the exact cause.
Additionally, the issue with alcohol may have progressed to an alcohol use disorder, which also requires assessment.
It is recommended that you consult a specialized psychiatrist for a more comprehensive evaluation.

Reply Date: 2017/04/20

More Info


Based on the symptoms you've described regarding your sister, it appears she may be experiencing a combination of auditory hallucinations and memory loss, which can be associated with alcohol use disorder (AUD). This situation is concerning and warrants immediate attention from healthcare professionals.

Alcohol use disorder can lead to a range of psychological and physical health issues, including cognitive impairments, memory loss, and hallucinations. Chronic alcohol consumption can affect the brain's structure and function, leading to conditions such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, which is characterized by confusion, memory issues, and hallucinations. This syndrome is often caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, which is common in individuals with AUD due to poor nutritional intake.

Your sister's behavior of scrolling through social media and engaging in self-talk, combined with her belief that others are discussing her, suggests she may be experiencing paranoia, which can occur in individuals with severe alcohol use disorder. The fact that she has been drinking heavily for many years, consuming large quantities of alcohol daily, increases her risk for these types of psychological symptoms.

Additionally, the memory loss she experienced, where she could not recall events from the previous day, is concerning. This could be indicative of blackouts, which are periods of amnesia that occur when a person is intoxicated. Blackouts can happen when blood alcohol levels rise rapidly, affecting the brain's ability to form new memories.

The physical symptoms you mentioned, such as high blood pressure and potential diabetes, are also significant. Chronic alcohol use can lead to various health complications, including cardiovascular issues and metabolic disorders. These physical health problems can further exacerbate psychological symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.

Given the complexity of your sister's situation, it is crucial that she receives a comprehensive evaluation from a healthcare professional, preferably one who specializes in addiction medicine or psychiatry. They can assess her mental health status, evaluate her alcohol use, and determine if she requires detoxification or rehabilitation services. It is also essential to address any underlying nutritional deficiencies, as these can significantly impact cognitive function and overall health.

In the meantime, it is important to provide support to your sister. Encourage her to seek help and let her know that she is not alone in this struggle. It may also be beneficial for family members to educate themselves about alcohol use disorder and its effects, as this knowledge can help in understanding her behavior and supporting her recovery.

In summary, your sister's symptoms of auditory hallucinations and memory loss are concerning and likely related to her long-standing alcohol use. Immediate medical intervention is necessary to address both her psychological and physical health needs. Early intervention can significantly improve her prognosis and help her regain control over her life.

Similar Q&A

Understanding and Managing Stress-Induced Hallucinations and Memory Loss

About four years ago, during middle school, I experienced similar issues when under significant stress, such as auditory hallucinations and mild amnesia. I often heard chain-like sounds and two overlapping musical notes (similar to a police siren but much lower and slower). The a...


Dr. Wu Enliang reply Psychiatry
If you are not keen on seeking medical treatment, you might consider the free psychological counseling services provided by the health bureaus in various counties and cities. It's a good idea to talk to a professional psychologist to find solutions. - Dr. Wu En-Liang

[Read More] Understanding and Managing Stress-Induced Hallucinations and Memory Loss


Understanding Visual and Auditory Hallucinations: A Psychiatric Inquiry

Hello, Doctor! This is my first time using this website, and I'm not quite sure which specialty to consult for my issues. I apologize if I haven't expressed myself clearly. I find it challenging to describe the problems I'm experiencing because they are abstract co...


Dr. Huang Zhijia reply Psychiatry
Hello, the diagnosis of mental disorders requires a multifaceted approach and often long-term observation; it cannot be determined by a single complaint. Please seek medical attention.

[Read More] Understanding Visual and Auditory Hallucinations: A Psychiatric Inquiry


Understanding Sound-Only Dreams: A Scientific Perspective

From a scientific perspective, it is indeed possible to experience auditory hallucinations during sleep or in a hypnagogic state (the transitional state between wakefulness and sleep) without accompanying visual imagery. This phenomenon can occur due to various factors, including...


Dr. Qiu Junda reply Psychiatry
Hello. This may also be a phenomenon similar to hallucinations (auditory) that occurs when consciousness is not fully awake (in a dream state or in between sleep and wakefulness). Don't worry too much. Thank you.

[Read More] Understanding Sound-Only Dreams: A Scientific Perspective


Understanding the Link Between Schizophrenia and Dementia Symptoms

Hello Doctor, my relative is 50 years old and has had hearing impairment requiring a hearing aid, but it was not severe enough to be classified as hearing loss. Recently, she has been experiencing symptoms similar to auditory hallucinations, often hearing a buzzing sound in her e...


Dr. Wu Enliang reply Psychiatry
Hello, online friends: My relative is 50 years old and has had symptoms of hearing loss requiring a hearing aid, but it hasn't reached the level of deafness. Recently, she has experienced symptoms similar to auditory hallucinations, often hearing a buzzing sound in her ears....

[Read More] Understanding the Link Between Schizophrenia and Dementia Symptoms


Related FAQ

Auditory Hallucinations

(Psychiatry)

Hearing

(Psychiatry)

Amnesia

(Psychiatry)

Brain

(Psychiatry)

Binge Eating

(Psychiatry)

Ptsd

(Psychiatry)

Delusion

(Psychiatry)

Sleepwalking

(Psychiatry)

Nightmares

(Psychiatry)

Dissociative Identity Disorder

(Psychiatry)