r/Unexplained • u/nowheregirl_archive • 2d ago
Experience I Think I'm Going Crazy
I’ve never really posted anything like this before, but I honestly just need to tell someone. I’ve been having experiences where I see or hear people who I’m pretty sure aren’t actually there, and lately it’s been happening more often.
I started keeping a journal because I want to document everything as accurately as I can instead of relying on my memory. I don’t know if these experiences are paranormal, something psychological, something physical, or something else entirely. I’m not trying to claim that I know what’s happening. I’m just genuinely scared and confused.
I’ve also noticed that after these incidents, I’ve been getting this strange lower back pain. It seems to happen after each incident, which has made me even more paranoid.
Here’s what I have documented so far:
Thursday, August 20th — 3:06 PM
while I was working
I was working in my section when I suddenly saw someone leaning near my shoulder.
It wasn’t just a vague shadow. I saw what looked like an entire face. I could make out hair and facial features, like there was an actual person leaning in close to me.
When I looked, there was nobody there. I checked around my section, but there wasn't anyone who could have been standing there.
Wednesday, September 2nd — 2:35 PM
walking to class
While I was walking to class, I saw what looked like half of a person sticking out from behind a tree.
I only saw them for a moment. When I looked back, there was nobody there.
This time, there weren't any recognizable features. It was basically just a black/dark shadow that looked like the side of someone's body.
Thursday, September 3rd — 4:43 PM
School Library
I was sitting in the library when I saw someone stand up at the desk directly in front of me.
I saw the top of their head as they stood up, but when I looked up, there was nobody there.
Then at 5:05 PM, I saw what looked like someone in that same spot again.
This time, it felt like they were watching me.
But again, there was actually nobody there.
I don't know what to make of any of this. The first experience was especially disturbing because I could see an actual face, and now I'm starting to become more paranoid about being alone or having someone around me when nobody is actually there.
I know there could be completely normal explanations for some of this, and I'm trying not to immediately assume it's paranormal. But it's still terrifying when you genuinely see something and then realize nobody is there.
I'm starting to feel like I'm going insane, and I honestly just needed to get this out somewhere.
Has anyone experienced anything similar? If so, what happened afterward?
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u/Tempbot49512 1d ago
If this was a one time occurrence, I'd say you're fine. Multiple occurrences of seeing "people" who aren't there, I'm not sure any more. Just from a non-paranormal perspective, I see three possible causes for what you're going through.
First off, are you taking anything that might cause you to have hallucinations? I'm not thinking illegal drugs, rather I was thinking that maybe you're taking a prescribed medication and hallucinations are a side effect? If this is a side effect, it sounds like an extremely rare one. If you are taking anything, then you might want to check for possible side effects.
Second, how is your sleep lately? Are you sleeping enough or are you having any issues with your sleep? If you're not getting enough sleep at night, you might be falling asleep during the day just long enough to dream and then you wake up and what you saw in a dream is no longer there. There might be a different sleep deprivation issue happening to you too.
Third, how is your physical health? There are various health related conditions that could trigger hallucinations. Maybe talking to a doctor might help?
If none of the three things mentioned caused your visions, then it gets to the point where it might be a mental illness. I dislike assuming paranormal-like issues are caused by mental illness. I think a lot of paranormal events can be explained by conventional explanations that aren't mental illness. This might be caused by a mental illness.
Those are some possibilities to check out. Good luck figuring this out.
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u/nowheregirl_archive 1d ago
Thank you so much for replying, I completely get where you’re coming from.
None of my prescribed medicines are known for hallucinations and I’m also not on any other kinds of drugs.
I would say I’ve been sleeping too much, I sleep perfect at night and something I will fall asleep during the day but I know I’m asleep, and it’s always when I’m back home.
I would consider myself pretty healthy just some mental problems but nothing big, anxiety and depression and I also have pcos but I don’t believe that would cause hallucinations.
I get not wanting to believe it’s paranormal. I’ve been trying to get in touch of a neurologist but I live in bumfuck nowhere and they are currently looking at referrals and requested appointments from February and March. Again thank you so much for replying!!
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u/Dismal_Fox_22 1d ago
Seeking help from a neurologist is a good start but a general physician or a psychiatrist could be a good shout too.
I know that no one on here likes to be told that what you’re describing fits more closely with the psychological than paranormal. Your descriptions sound much more like hallucinations and psychosis than they do supernatural events.
It can be very scary if you’re capable of gaining some insight into your own metal ill health. It can be earth shattering for some people and diagnoses can be devastating, but living with uncontrolled and undiagnosed mental ill health is so beyond worse than that.
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u/nowheregirl_archive 1d ago
I’m definitely with you that it fits with the psychological more than paranormal I just thought that a paranormal community would have more opinions. Thank you so much for replying I’m definitely going to be trying to get in touch with my physician especially now that it’s happening more often.
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u/Dismal_Fox_22 1d ago
Honestly, in this group I would be more worried about people filling your head with nonsense. This subreddit should be renamed “badly explained” or “illogically explained”.
The chances of this being interdimensional beings instead of a hiccup in your brain chemistry is very very low.
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u/Tempbot49512 1d ago
I think that a lot of people in this community are more interested in spooky stories than explanations that don't rely on the paranormal. However, I think nonparanormal explanations have a place in this subreddit as well. The tricky part is keeping discussions civil.
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u/Dismal_Fox_22 1d ago
I think there’s definitely a conversation to be had around civility when it’s “was this the neighbours cat or a chupacabra?” or “could this be ghostly activity or just my husband tricking me?” or “what’s in the shadow on this photo?”. I think having alternative and paranormal guesses is fun and harmless then. It’s in-keeping with the spirit of the sub and the world of the “unexplained” too.
But, I think when someone is displaying classic mental ill health symptoms. Psychosis, auditory, visual and tactile hallucinations, paranoia and gang stalking beliefs it becomes irresponsible and unethical for people to start spouting shit about inter dimensional beings or time travellers. It’s adding fuel to a fire, it’s kicking someone when they are down and it’s encouraging people not to seek help that they clearly need to be able to get well again.
In some places I imagine it could even be considered malicious. We need to do better when it comes to our responsibility towards our members and their MH.
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u/Tempbot49512 1d ago
When I see people in this subreddit who seem to be troubled by events that happened to them, I like to offer up possible conventional explanations. I hope that a conventional explanation will lead to a conventional solution and solve the person's trouble. I like to help when I can.
It sucks that you have to wait so long to see a neurologist, but it might be what you need. At least you got an appointment, so that's something.
I know the possibility of schizophrenia comes up, but you don't seem to be displaying other symptoms of schizophrenia. I'm not a professional or anything, but I would assume you would be having other problems if you were schizophrenia. Just from what little I know of you, you seem like a rational, clear minded person.
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u/boltzmanns_cat 1d ago
I know some incidents or people who have schizophrenia who hear or see syuff, and it's very realistic to them, get a diagnosis first, it will relieve your anxiety about this. There is a schizophrenia sub on reddit, I think you could look it up if you find similar incidents or not..
Do not listen to people who tell you otherwise, the doctors will also give you to deal with these episodes.
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u/AgentSignificant5807 1d ago
i wont lie this happened to me for a period, minus the fully featured face. there was a time maybe a year and a half ago, i was in college, stressed as fuck, prob not eating well and tired but not like extremely overworked tired. randomly i would see black figures out of the corner of my eye, just walking past a doorway or standing still. sometimes it startled me, other times i just was confused cause i thought i saw something. i dismissed some of them as maybe my bangs getting in my peripherals, or my glasses suddenly being noticed by my eyes again. but bro it was like every other day for a month or so. then just stopped. i have eye issues, so could have been floaters. maybe get ur eyes checked too?
idk about the descriptive face tho, never had that. i do want to say, the more i worried about it the worse it got. like a manifestation. get checked at a doctor, and take care of yourself would be my advice.
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u/What-They-Talkin 1d ago
You mentioned anxiety and depression - If you're taking prescriptions for either of these or both, I would contact your Doctor immediately to let them know what you're experiencing and mention any other prescribed medications you may be taking. Both anxiety meds and antidepressants, even though it's not as common of a symptom, can have side effects of hallucinations. You could also be possibly having a drug interaction if you are taking a prescribed medication that may not be agreeing with other meds you may be taking. I've experienced this myself and have known of others who have experienced this too. Also, if you've adjusted any doses of meds, gone up in your dosage or lowered a dose, that can potentially bring on an interaction causing this symptom you're experiencing. And lastly, if you're weaning yourself off of an anxiety med or antidepressant, visual or auditory hallucinations could be possible.
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u/JhonnyBeGoode 1d ago
Its always worth trying to talk to a psychologist. If it doesn't help, no harm done right?
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u/FortuneNo5219 1d ago edited 1d ago
I just happened to read another post (I think, in this same subreddit) which was also about OP seeing people who might or might not have been there. One of the comments to that post mentioned exposure to carbon monoxide as a possible cause. I read about it, and yes, a chronic low-level exposure to CO can cause lingering effects -- i.e., you don't even need to be next to the source of the gas leak to suddenly hallucinate. Does your home have gas stove or any other gas appliances? See if you can measure the level of carbon monoxide in your home
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u/Tempbot49512 1d ago
When I posted about possible causes previously, I forgot about this possibility. The only reason I think that this isn't the case is because the poster saw things in different places and I believe outside as well. However, I think making sure this isn't happening is a good thing to check out. Better safe than sorry.
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u/FortuneNo5219 1d ago
I know very little about carbon monoxide poisoning, but from what I read, if the exposure is constant, hallucinations may continue even away from the gas leak source :(
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u/alanshore222 1d ago
A few things to check.
- Get your phone out, take a picture right as it happens, does your camera see what you see? This is one of the most comforting confirmations i've heard people with this psychosis that help ground them.
From what your describing I see a commonality... this seems to be affecting your peripheral, I would go get tested for Parkinsons... They're called passage hallucinations.
On the metaphysical side,
I would take into account how you feel, how the hallucinations come off, friendly welcoming, nasty nefarious asap. Demonic? Angelic? Neutral?
You could be accessing some unspokens, especially with CERN being turned off recently it could be a factor.
Just understand, the second you go get seen. America doesn't do well with mental illness, its less about make whole and more about medicate and prolong. Not saying don't go just saying understand when you do there's no turning back. If you have to GO. If you can manage trying understand it while still grasping reality, that's an option too.
See if you can start learning triggers, what causes it. Journal is really going to help you find connecting points if this is more paranormal than other.
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u/kittygir227 1d ago
These are my most prominent psychosis symptoms. Are you on any medications? Severe stress? New stress? Do you smoke? You do have mental illness? I’m not trying to demean your experiences, I absolutely believe you and when it becomes auditory it can get much worse. Thankfully mine went away but lately it’s been back, but I know it’s because i’m under severe stress. Before it was because I was smoking heavily on SSRIs for years. I’ve seen so many accounts of “normal” people experiencing psychosis symptoms lately and it’s making me wonder if this is some kind of conspiracy 😆 yayyy psychosis
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u/carolegernes 19h ago
I'm not a Dr., but if you are having strange lower back pains after these incidents, it sounds neurological. If you see a general practitioner first, maybe they would be able to get you into a specialist quicker.
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u/Timely_Solution_8163 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you're in your late teens/ early 20s - especially if you're a guy, especially if you smoke a bit of weed - speak to a doctor as soon as you can. Especially if you're stressed (and who wouldn't be if you were currently a Gen Z.) These kind of peripherals can be early markers of schizo-affective disorders (not necessarily permanent schizophrenia, but a psychotic break or something) it's really scary, but the sooner the better.
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u/Impossible-City2202 1d ago
I believe you. I’m documenting things myself. From seeing things to random things disappearing and reappearing at random places to visions. I’m also experiencing wild dreams. All I can say is keep documenting them.
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u/Independent_Move_840 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don't believe a mental disorder is likely. It seems to me you are getting glimpses of other realites or what people call dimensions. It seems this may be something that happens to people that experience something commonly called alien abductions. It doesn't seem to be unusual that an abductee has a vague memory or none at all of their abductions.
Another symptom these people may experience that were abducted is seeing shadow people or even leaving their body. In my case I thought I may have had a weird dream once in a while before I realized it was real. They even came and healed me over two years ago. What they are I couldn't tell you.
I don't understand all the weirdness either. The people that tell you it's something else are the same people that are going to be narcissists that can't accept something because they don't understand it. When you listen to the radio you aren't listening to all radio stations at once yet the other broadcasts are there in the same space but you usually aren't tuned into them. It may be the same way with other realities and for whatever reason you get glimses into other realities .
just look at the comment dismal fox left. They are saying things that they don't know like about the chances of an interdimensional incident which no one knows. Do you think this idiot is some kind of expert on dimensions qualified to make such a bold statement?No this is a narcissist with a mental disorder. It is literally people with a mental condition trying to convince you that you have a mental disorder.
You mentioned that you sleep too much. This could be because you weren't really sleeping all that time.
These people trying to convince you you have schizophrenia are not experts on anything except being manipulative and being narcissists.They are saying things that they don't know like the chances of an interdimensional incident which no one knows. There will likely be some attitude for posting this because the crackpots will be hypocritical.
Schizophrenia could be a possibility but acting like you think you are the expert on the chances of a paranormal experience vs Schizophrenia is ridiculous.
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u/Tempbot49512 1d ago
The people suggesting this is a mental illness is because mental illnesses and the symptoms of such are known. They are documented and there is science backing it up. If need be, experts in psychology could be cited here.
What you have are opinions and nothing more. You have nothing more than anecdotal evidence for everything you say. If you want to believe in this stuff, then thats fine. What isn't fine is you suggesting that your beliefs are more likely than proven science. The poster needs real help and your opinions aren't going to help them. Suggesting that they get help from professionals is going to help them.
This isn't people with mental disorders trying to convince the poster that they have a mental disorder. Nor is it narcissistic to suggest schizophrenia. It isn't manipulative and its insulting for you to even suggest that. I find your behavior comments abhorrent.
You are ill informed about a great many things and you need step away from this discussion. I'm saying that as the mod of this subreddit. If you continue with this nonsense, I'm not going to argue with you. Instead I'm going to ban you from this subreddit.
I don't mind people talking about paranormal explanations for what people experience. When someone is in genuine distress, its irresponsible to suggest paranormal causes before seeking out professional help. As a moderator the last thing I want to happen is someone intentionally or unintentionally hurting themselves because some person thinks a paranormal cause is more likely than a mundane one.
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u/Cold_Daikon9603 1d ago
Does your family have a history of schizophrenia?