Shadow people & hearing knocking

[D3LAN3Y]

Hi all,
So I've been seeing shadowy figures out of the corner of my eyes (mostly when I'm tired) in my hallway when I'm sitting in bed. At first I thought it was a one off thing but it's happening more and more. I've moved my washing rack (thinking it was just that) and now I'm seeing them more clearly. I'm starting to get scared as they are moving closer to me.
I woke up this morning to someone braying on the door, no one was there. This isn't the first time. My DH has been present a few times when I've heard the door (and he said no one was there or he hasn't heard it). I don't know what to do. It's getting worse. I'm scared about going to the doctors because they probably don't know what's wrong or will say I'm tired.
Sometimes I don't even feel like I'm in my body.

Could the knocking have been a dream if you just woke up?

I see shadow people when I'm very tired/stressed and generally mentally struggling.

I didn't think of that. That's made me feel a bit better. I suppose it could've been.

I struggle a lot mentally due to fatigue - I'm 2 years post aneurysm.

This is more common than you'd think OP. Please go to your GP, they'll be able to help you.

You sound really tired/exhausted and you deserve to feel better.

The Dr will be able to help. It sounds like you are exhausted, don’t be frightened everything can be made easier.

Are you getting enough sleep?

If it only happens when you're falling asleep or waking up, they may be hypnopompic and hypnogogic hallucinations, which are really common. If it's upsetting you though, speak to your GP, they'll be able to help.

Sounds really frightening OP but another here who thinks it's just exhaustion and to go see your gp for some support. Is there any way you can lighten your load at all and get some r&r?

Look up exploding head syndrome. I get it when I'm tired or stressed. I wake up after hearing a loud bang or bangs but no one else can hear. My teenage DS gets it too.

This is so interesting.

I did not realise this was a recognised syndrome and I have had this on a few occasions: hearing knocking sounds/loud bangs just before I fully wake up & seeing shadows.

I was starting to think I had a poltergeist in the house...

I have been really stressed and exhausted since last year and was put on anti-depressant so the link to stress makes a lot of sense.

Try not to be scared of seeing your gp and go sooner rather than later. Hope you recieve some reassurance and any help you need.

Absolutely. And/or exhaustion. I thought the shadows on the floor were talking to me when DS was a non-sleeping newborn. Combination of exhaustion and postnatal hormones. Talk to your GP.

I used to see things from the corner of my eye and be woken by non-existent knocking in my 30s. I still have hypnogogic hallucinations on the rare occasion that I can’t sleep and find them comforting.

No diagnosed MH issues other than episodes of reactive stress/depression.

Thank you for the replies.
I don't have a great sleep cycle. I wear a fit bit which measures my sleep and it's normally just under the 4 hour mark. I've always tried to have good sleep hygiene. I've tried meditation and mindfulness. I'm on fluoxetine for depression and anxiety. I've done talking therapies but struggle a lot with identity.
I'm probably going to make an appointment with my MH nurse who is lovely and usually very understanding.

That sounds a really good idea @D3LAN3Y I hope they can help you find ways to improve your sleep. It's boring and hard work when you feel rotten, but a good diet, fresh air and exercise can really help too. Exhaustion does do odd things to our brains sometimes, hope you can get some relief soon. Look after yourself

I had similar when I was very stressed, also hallucinations when I had a period of lack of sleep. Hearing things when half asleep and waking up, convinced you have heard the doorbell etc is quite common.

There’s so many potential explanations.
Shadow people can be linked to deteriorating sight: have you had a recent eye test?
Also look up hypnopompic and hypnogogic hallucinations, especially if worse when tired or falling asleep/ waking up.
if you suffer from depression this could also be a progression of that so it’s worth making sure that is well managed too.
Dont rule out medication side effects or stress as possible causes either.
Definitely speak to your nurse or a dr, but also check side effects of medications, get an eye test, manage stress and mental health and try a bit of self care.

I hope you get reassurance @D3LAN3Y if you get a chance to speak to your MH nurse.

I also hope you're comforted that others on here have had the same or similar - it's more worrying if you feel like it's just you isn't it?

For me, I sometimes hear DH shouting my name when I'm sleeping on the settee. My sleep is also absolutely terrible (haven't slept properly for about 3 years) so I sometimes doze off on the settee in the afternoon and I wake up with a real start because there's such urgency in his voice. Only he's not actually there, he's at work at the time! Funnily enough, it has never happened on the days when he actually is here!

All the best. 🌹

Do you take paroxetine? It's known for this side effect, I had it too. Any SSRI can cause it but especially common with paroxetine. Might be as simple as changing antidepressant.

I'm currently on fluoxetine 20mg

Could be doing it. Is it something you've taken for a long time or relatively new?

Make the appointment and in the meantime you could try emergency GP appointment to rule out any meds you are taking, maybe take a blood test etc. Urine infections especially can make you go totally doolally. Our friend had one and had us trying to get in an imaginary car! The keys of which were apparently behind the bar at a pub where his doctor had left them. The doctor he hadn't seen yet.

Sorry to hear this it sounds frightening. May I ask, have you gotten into spiritual things recently or witchy things? Same thing happened to me so I stopped. And so did the movements, noises and voices.

No but I have recently been baptised and going to church :(