For generations the stigma of these labels has generated fear and shame, but today we have a much broader understanding of behaviour that departs from what many identify as 'normal' . It is now generally accepted that even symptoms like visual halucinations and auditory sounds can occur under certain conditions for anyone.

The electro-chemical processes of the brain have been designed to ‘make sense’ of the signals generated between its neurons  The most common of these brain-generated experiences is dreaming.

Other experiences can be generated by giving people false information about their heart rate in experimental situations leading them to construct erroneous explanations for their experience.The result can be labeled mental illness or madness when there is a different reason altogether for the experiences.

Food, medicines, anxiety, drugs, depression or disease can also generate unusual feelings in our bodies. We then try to ‘make sense’ of what is happening and the brain invents explanations, some of which may sound quite bizarre.   

All unusual behaviour, emotions or thought processes should be investigated as soon as possible.  Early diagnosis is essential for early intervention. There may be a simple explanation for those experiences you may think of as 'crazy'!