Hallucinations and delusions are characteristic symptoms of psychosis. A person in psychosis experiences reality very differently from the general population. The juxtaposition of a person in psychosis and a person not in psychosis often leads to feelings of great distress, fear, confusion, and stress for both parties. Whether it's schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, brain injury, or increased use of drugs like crystal methamphetamine, experiencing these symptoms in some form is not entirely uncommon. This article describes what hallucinations and delusions are and suggests ways to respond to people in our lives who experience these symptoms as distressing. What are hallucinations? Hallucinations involve hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting, or smelling something that isn't actually there. A hallucination seems very vivid and real. The most common type of hallucination is hearing things that aren't there, such as voices. Some people find comfort in their hallucinations, but generally the experience is alienating, stressful, and often terrifying. In paranoid schizophrenia, for example, hallucinations are commonly experienced as the belief that people, even loved ones and caregivers, intend to harm the person. As a result, the person experiencing hallucinations often feels immense distrust, discomfort, and even terror towards those around them. In turn, this person's community (family, caregivers, friends) may similarly feel uncomfortable, confused, embarrassing, and, at times, fearful. What are illusions? Illusions are firmly held beliefs that are not true. There are many types of delusions, such as delusions of grandeur, delusions of control, or delusions of reference, but the most common is delusions of persecution. This... half of the paper... iatric emergency if you cannot ensure safety and you believe the person may harm themselves or others. Maintaining physical distance and seeking help from a professional is probably the best course of action in this situation. People who experience hallucinations and/or delusions often respond to the same elements that foster human connection in anyone. Empathy, safety, trust, rapport, transparency and support are the universal ingredients of positive human relationships. The main difference between someone in psychosis and someone who is not in psychosis is the altered perception of reality. Tragically, it is this clash of realities that often leads to a sense of danger and fear for both parties. Fortunately, understanding hallucinations and/or delusions and how to approach a person in this state will help build a relationship that increases safety for everyone..