We built Jackson House because we realized there was a critical gap in our healthcare system and many individuals with mental illnesses and substance abuse problems were struggling because of it. While there are many outpatient treatment options and locked, inpatient facilities there was nothing in the middle. Nothing to help people who needed around the clock care but wanted to receive treatment voluntarily, on their own terms. Jackson House is different. We provide clients with the level of care they need in a welcoming environment. When you walk through our doors, we will meet you wherever you’re at and help you on your journey toward feeling better.
Schizophrenic Episodes: How to Cope with Delusions and Hallucinations

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can make it difficult to tell the difference between reality and your own thoughts and feelings. If you’re living with schizophrenia, you may experience symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, jumbled speech, or a loss of interest in socializing and self-care. While it’s a relatively rare condition—affecting about 1.2% of the U.S. population—the challenges it brings can be significant. That’s why getting the right diagnosis, treatment, and support is so important.
We share how a structured and comprehensive approach—including residential mental health care—can help you manage your symptoms and feel more in control of your life.
What are Schizophrenic Delusions and Hallucinations?
If you’re living with schizophrenia, you might already be familiar with delusions and hallucinations, two of the most common symptoms. However, these phenomena might be relatively new to some individuals. Let’s break them down:
Delusions are false beliefs that feel completely real to you, even though they don’t match reality. For instance, you might believe someone on TV is speaking directly to you or that a loved one is following or threatening you.
Hallucinations involve sensory experiences that others don’t share. Hearing voices is the most common type, but hallucinations can also involve seeing, feeling, or even smelling things that aren’t there.
Types of delusions and hallucinations in schizophrenia
Here’s a closer look at the kinds of delusions and hallucinations you might experience:
- Paranoid delusions: Feeling like someone is watching or trying to harm you
- Somatic delusions: Believing you have a medical issue when you don’t
- Grandiose delusions: Thinking you have special powers or an inflated sense of self-worth
- Auditory hallucinations: Hearing voices or sounds others can’t hear
- Visual hallucinations: Seeing things that aren’t there
- Tactile hallucinations: Feeling sensations, like something crawling on your skin, that aren’t real
- Olfactory hallucinations: Smelling things, like burning or rotting, that others can’t smell
How do these symptoms impact daily life?
Delusions and hallucinations can affect nearly every part of your life—work, school, relationships, and even your physical and mental health. Symptoms can be unpredictable and overwhelming, sometimes making it hard to focus or stay connected to the world around you. That’s why getting expert care and support is so important for managing schizophrenic episodes and keeping your symptoms from taking over your life.
How Medication Helps Manage Delusions and Hallucinations
Medication often plays a crucial role in effective schizophrenia treatment and management. The right medication can reduce how often and how intensely you experience delusions and hallucinations, making daily life feel a little easier.
What types of medication are used?
Antipsychotic medications are the main treatment for schizophrenia. They work by balancing certain brain chemicals, like dopamine, to help manage your delusions and hallucinations.
Why work with a medical team?
Finding the right medication and dosage can take time, so it’s important to have a supportive team of professionals by your side. They’ll help monitor how the medication is working and adjust it if needed in a safe environment. Sticking to your prescribed treatment is key to feeling better, so follow your dosage instructions and don’t hesitate to involve your care team if you have concerns.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Schizophrenia
CBT is a common treatment for schizophrenia. It is often used alongside other treatment options and therapies, including medication.
What is CBT, and how can it help you manage delusions and hallucinations?
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is another effective tool that can help you manage schizophrenia. This type of therapy focuses on recognizing unhelpful thinking patterns that make you upset, distressed, or confused and developing strategies to change them.
A trained therapist can help you identify thoughts linked to delusions and hallucinations and work with you to challenge these beliefs. Over time, you can develop healthier ways of thinking and responding to these symptoms when they arise.
Experiencing the effects of regular CBT may take time, but many people start to notice positive changes after just a few sessions. It can also help you improve self-awareness, strengthen your coping skills, and feel more in control of your symptoms.
Coping Techniques for Delusions and Hallucinations
In addition to medication and therapy, there are practical strategies that can help you manage delusions and hallucinations:
- Reality testing: Pause and ask yourself, “Is this real, or could it be a symptom of schizophrenia?”
- Grounding techniques: Focus on the present moment by using your senses—hold an object, list things you can see or hear, or try gardening.
- Distractions: Shift your focus by watching a favorite show, listening to music, or reading.
- Lean on your support network: Talking with friends or family can help you stay grounded and feel less alone during uncertain times.
Residential Mental Health Treatment for Schizophrenia
Sometimes, managing symptoms like delusions and hallucinations requires more intensive support. Residential mental health treatment provides a safe and structured environment where you can focus on recovery with the help of experienced professionals.
While in residential treatment for schizophrenia, you’ll have access to:
- Expert care in a supportive setting
- Highly trained medical professionals
- 24/7 supervision and assistance
- Education about your condition
- Group therapy and opportunities to build connections with others
- Aftercare and discharge planning to help you stay on track after treatment
At a residential facility, the focus is on you—your health, your goals, and your journey to wellness. This type of care is especially helpful if your symptoms are making it difficult to maintain routines, manage relationships, or stay on track with outpatient therapy. It provides the space to stabilize, learn coping strategies, and build a solid foundation for long-term recovery.
You'll work with a team of professionals who understand the complexities of schizophrenia and will collaborate with you to create a treatment plan that brings about helpful change.
Taking this step can feel intimidating, but it’s one of the best ways to prioritize your mental health without the distractions of everyday life. With the right support, you can gain confidence in managing your symptoms and start envisioning a future where schizophrenia doesn’t define your life.
Schizophrenia Treatment Near Me
Living with schizophrenia can be incredibly challenging, but treatment options like medication, therapy, and residential care can help you take control of your symptoms and improve your life.
If you’re ready to explore your options, reach out to Jackson House to learn more about how we can support you on your journey to wellness. You deserve care, understanding, and the chance to live a fulfilling life.
It's time to feel better
We are here to help and we are in-network with most insurance providers. Call us for a free and confidential consultation.
If you’re a provider and need to send us information on a client, please feel free to fax us at 619-303-7044. If you need help immediately, call our 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-766-4274. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Jackson House is licensed by the State of California Community Care Licensing Division and certified by the Department of Health Care Services. We are also CARF Accredited. If you have any client or quality of care concerns, please reach out to us at (888) 255-9280. If your concerns need further attention, you can contact the Department of Public Health at 619-278-3700 or the Community Care Licensing Division at 1-844-538-8766.