[BBB2]

Sometimes I can be very jumpy and think that I see things. Like today at work for a split second I thought that the ceiling was lowering down. This sort of thing happens a lot.

Is there a word to describe this experience? I don't think of it as being a hallucination because it's more like mis-seeing things and then realizing the mistake.

Does anyone have this?

Thanks

[IrisBloom]

I think things like this are just your brain misinterpreting what it's seeing for a second. It's not exactly visual hallucinations, but if it gets more severe or frequent, be sure to tell your doc.

Perhaps make a record of such happenings so as to discuss with your psychiatrist.

Have you considered that it might be a side effect of medication? I see things 'shift' on occasion too. But the fact I don't act upon or react to it leaves me not very worried.

[treevoice]

That does sound very scary and worth talking to a doctor about, but it's worth mentioning that our brains are hard-wired to try to fill in the gaps of our understanding of the world around us. If you are having odd visual experiences, especially fleeting ones in the periphery of your vision, it's possible that you may be experiencing something as simple as a decline in your vision and your brain is getting creative to compensate. If you have any substance abuse issues or take a medication of any kind, that could also be a factor.

I hope you are able to find some peace of mind - best of luck!

[MickeyCheeky]

If you have a psychiatrist, you could talk to him/her.. if you still function properly, I wouldn't worry too much, though.

[Kobojunkie]

Those are hallucinations.

[leejosepho]

Originally Posted by treevoice

...our brains are hard-wired to try to fill in the gaps of our understanding of the world around us. If you are having odd visual experiences, especially fleeting ones in the periphery of your vision, it's possible...your brain is getting creative...

Yes, and maybe just pulling a bit of "stock footage" from memory as a guess in relation to a fleeting glimpse of something similar. Our eyes do not actually see objects, just reflections of light, then the brain processes all of that and displays the result as a mental image. Then for those of us with some vivid imaginations or a loose connection or two, things can sometimes become quite interesting in relation to reality. For myself, the worst is while waking up in the morning and sometimes having no idea where I am or whether I am face-up or even upside-down...and then is when I go slow and easy while peeking without moving just in case I might be in a precarious place or position of some kind.

[BBB2]

Thank you for the helpful replies.
It happened again the other week! I was walking through the woods and thought I saw a body in the grass. Then a few seconds later I thought there was a man watching me. It took a split second for my brain to catch up and show me that actually there was nothing there. I was feeling a little jumpy that day.

I'm not on any meds. I've never abused drugs.

Thank you for help!