Visual Hallucinations and Illusions as Missed Diagnostic Clues in Autoimmune Disease: A Patient Perspective

Abstract

Non-psychotic visual hallucinations and illusions (referred to here as NVHIs), such as visual snow, can be indicators of serious underlying pathologies, including Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. In this Patient Perspective article, I recount some of the impacts of NVHIs, and their attribution/misattribution, on my autoimmune diagnostic journeys. I then draw on these experiences, and the literature, to suggest improvements to policies and practice. It is hoped that these types of changes could contribute to NVHI-related diagnostic opportunities being less often missed.