I don't know...I know this can't be the only thing, because I've had auditory and visual hallucinations for 20 years (since I was 11, am 31 at present). But I've noticed something recently. I'm not sure that I'm not misinterpreting, or possibly exaggerating what's going on. But, I'll tell you what goes on, and this is how I perceive it.

Those who know some of my history know there is a man, made of shadow that has been bothering me for a number of years now...more active since we moved to our present house. He doesn't speak, but is large and his essence is very dark. He is so dark that he shows up black in the dark of night with no lights. He menaces me, I'm very afraid of him, I know that he can/means to do harm. I've tried ignoring him, turning attenion to books/tv/music, closing my eyes, covering completely with a blanket etc, but it doesn't help. If he shows up, he wants to be seen and he will be...if ignored he persists and will sometimes bring 'others' in until I am surrounded. I once tried to ignore them, after he had brought in others, but they got my attention by crawling around on my bed. I was covered with a blanket completely, but I could feel them, their weight moving the mattress...like when someone sits on the end of the bed and the bed moves. Like that, but they were slowly crawling up toward my head. I felt them, phsyically. (Sorry, went off on a slight tangent there...) Anyway. When I'm at the computer, many times he will lurk in the open doorway (there is no door, just the archway) to the kitchen. He, most times, doesn't move closer, just stands there for hours. Menacing, large, dark, silent and still. My husband can usually make him go away, for a day or week, I don't know what he does. But that is also slightly off the point. Some of you may remember that a kitty came and adopted us on Halloween Eve, who we named Boo. He's an all black kitty, loves to sit on you (quite claustrophobic though, can't stand to be held or under a blanket), is very persistent. He and my other cat, Sister, like most animals, can tell when there is something wrong with me. Like last night, He (the man) appeared in the bedroom where I was, alone, I went out and the cats got up and with one ahead and one behind me, I came out to the computer room, where my husband was. They sat at my feed and twined around my legs, mewing softly, (something neither one do normally) then just sat and looked at me, again, occasionally mewing softly. Sister left after about 10 minutes, but Boo stayed. He didn't try to jump in my lap, like normal, just sat and looked at me. There is a chair, just to the right of the computer chair, that Boo always sits on when I'm on the computer. He'll lay there and catnap or watch me.

Ok, on to the actual point...

I've noticed this several times, that when the man comees to the doorway, even if I don't turn around and look at him...Boo knows he's there. Boo will turn and sit looking at the doorway, without moving, just occasionally will look back at me. The man will sometimes go away, or fade a bit, when Boo does this.

It seems Boo can see him too.
Boo can make him go away.
My husband can sometimes make him go away.
The man hasn't been as bad since Boo came. (coming less frequently)

I guess it all comes down to:

Can the man of shadows be a visual hallucination, if Boo can see him? How can he be, if Boo can sometimes make him go away? If my husband can sometimes make him go away? Is it possible he isn't a hallucination, but something else...spiritual of some kind? I know not everyone believes in spirits/ghosts and that, but I've had earlier experience with one actually touching me. (I was 15 and received 3 scratchmarks from one).

I don't know...not sure what to think. It could be that he isn't a hallucination...but then again, he isn't new. Its not like he suddenly started appearing just at this house, but I don't think spirits/ghosts (whatever) single people out to follow around (?), they are usually associated with a place.

He scares me, maybe I want him to not be a hallucination. I don't know what I would do about him if he isn't. Maybe in my twisted 'logic' I would feel better if he weren't a hallucination. Not that that solves anything, as I said before, he isn't the only one...I'm not even sure why this is so important to me.

I don't know what I expect anyone to say, if anything.