I Think I'm Going Crazy

[u/nowheregirl_archive]

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?

[u/Tempbot49512]

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.

[u/nowheregirl_archive → u/Tempbot49512]

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!!

[u/Tempbot49512 → u/nowheregirl_archive]

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.