My grandma died a couple months ago, but I've been seeing her around. I never really believed in ghosts or spirits or anything like that, but I suppose it's possible. I'm not sure if I am actually seeing her or if I'm just hallucinating. How do I tell the difference?

[Moose72]

Imo youre hallucinating. Thats enough to deal with- you dont need "ghosts" too.

[Blueberrybook]

Tough call there. Could be you want to see her and so your mind makes her image from things nearby? Maybe just hallucinations, maybe something supernatural? I don’t know. I had 2 weird experiences with my grandmother’s death. We knew she didn’t have long, was on hospice. One night I dreamed we were both in the hair parlor getting our hair done, talking and having a good time. She loved getting her hair fixed. I woke up around 4:30 AM (always look at the clock when I wake in the night, a habit of mine), then went back to sleep. My mom called in the morning, told me my grandmother passed around 4:30 AM. I know I likely dreamt about her because we knew her death was imminent, but to wake at pretty much the time she passed was weird.

Later, after my daughter was born (I was very pregnant when my grandmother died), there was one morning, not quite light outside when I was lying in bed nursing my daughter. I got the feeling of a presence at the foot of our bed, just watching me. I wasn’t scared. It was light, but not clear but I was not wearing my glasses. I had the strongest feeling it was my grandmother, come to see the baby. Then, the presence was gone, everything back to normal. So was I hallucinating, I don’t know. That was the only time in my life I had something like that happen.

I don't think it's terribly unusual, though I couldn't say exactly what the nature of the phenomenon is of course. I don't think I'd worry about it unless you are experiencing other symptoms, or it's causing you problems.

How solidly are you seeing her, out of curiousity (if it's ok to ask)? I remember seeing a deceased friend on the bus, but his image was not solid. Heard him a couple of times too. I think I simply missed him.

I'm seeing her as solidly as it gets. Sometimes I forget she's dead and think she's actually there. I'm not worried too much about it, just curious.

[downandlonely]

I would bring this up to your doctor. The doc can give you a better idea of what's going on than we can.

[Blueberrybook]

How long have you been seeing her image?

I think if it keeps going on, then it is definitely something to bring up with the pdoc. Were you close to her when she was alive? If so, IDK, maybe your mind is trying to comfort you that she's OK? Do you see her when it's not very light or when there are objects around? I know sometimes my mind will make something out of an object and then when I get closer, it will be something completely mundane, like a weirdly shaped tree or something like that.

[CrT0811]

Most likely illusions but...IMO, physical reality is not as fixed as most might assume. I would speak with the doc but if it’s not frightening to you, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. But...might try starting a dialogue and see where it goes. As long as it’s a positive exchange.

[Guiness187055]

I would talk with my pdoc about this.

[*Laurie*]

I would move to a society in a location that doesn't treat sensitivity and psychic ability like a sickness.