My 2 y.o. niece sees ghosts

[Mike]

We definitely know that mental health issues such as hallucinations and delusional thought processes are real. Falling back into labeling experienced as supernatural seems pretty regressive. Why not just say, "I imagined that" and move on? The brain is incredibly powerful, we only perceive reality because of it. So for whatever reason that it just "short circuits" briefly, why not just accept it and move on?

Because we don't always know if that's the case or not. Some of these experiences involve multiple people as well. Mass hallucination? Maybe. Why jump to a conclusion either way though? It is possible supernatural experiences occur as well. It's silly imo to just jump to a conclusion either way.

 

[Yellowking]

Because we don't always know if that's the case or not. Some of these experiences involve multiple people as well. Mass hallucination? Maybe. Why jump to a conclusion either way though? It is possible supernatural experiences occur as well. It's silly imo to just jump to a conclusion either way.

Is it really right to say that there are supernatural possibilities? We also know that mass hallucinations are real and do happen. A lot of these stories are about family members who "see the same ghosts". With what science knows about the link between genetics and mental health problems, and how it's more possible that a family's internal culture makes them latch onto fanciful explanations and delusional thought processes for certain experiences, why hold out for a mystical explanation?

 

[vcmmafan]

As for the OP, ghosts are real. I've shared my one (And only one that I care to ever have) experience with anything like this that turned me from someone that was not only a science buff and skeptic into a person that simply has no explanation for witnessing something shooting off his desk off it's own.

People here will think I'm full of shit and like I said when I signed up here and made my original thread, I can completely understand that. If I hadn't seen what I'd seen with my own two eyes, I'd call bullshit instantly on any absurd story like I just said. I don't blame anyone for that. But I can tell you right now, it's real. Four years ago, I experienced it for myself.

I still want to hear that 1 ghost story that you didn't share because you thought you would look crazy. What you did say was interesting

 

[Mike]

Is it really right to say that there are supernatural possibilities? We also know that mass hallucinations are real and do happen. A lot of these stories are about family members who "see the same ghosts". With what science knows about the link between genetics and mental health problems, and how it's more possible that a family's internal culture makes them latch onto fanciful explanations and delusional thought processes for certain experiences, why hold out for a mystical explanation?

Well not everyone that has such an experience has a history of mental illness, also being mentally ill does not automatically mean such an experience is false.People that don't have a mental illness seem to think every mental illness out there is schizophrenia. Having depression or having anxiety for example doesn't mean you have hallucinations. It's not so much hoping for a supernatural origin to these experiences, just keeping an open mind to the possibility.

It would be irresponsible to assume everything you can't explain is the work of a ghost or a god etc. However it would be irresponsible to simply dismiss any and all experiences outside of the normal as well. We don't know if there's a spiritual world or not, it's not anything we've been able to prove either way with technology. It might not even be possible to prove with technology.

 

[TCE]

I can believe stuff like this. I do believe in ghosts, kind of.

One of my cousins actually sees angels, and she orbs around her in every photo taken.

 

[ShinkanPo]

So you and your cousin both saw it. At least you had someone to confirm you weren't just seeing shit. Anything recent?

My family has stories for days, and they almost always involve a dead family member.

From what I remember my cousin saw it too, I was like 9 back then so I my memory of those weird stuff is so vague they have since left that place and move to the USA.


The man that I saw looks really like his dad but dressed in some weird costume like this.
https://40.media.tumblr.com/de5c119a1b63c1ae13e3236d1a94f2cc/tumblr_mo6swenTpW1rrjpupo1_400.jpg

 

[Yellowking]

Well not everyone that has such an experience has a history of mental illness, also being mentally ill does not automatically mean such an experience is false.People that don't have a mental illness seem to think every mental illness out there is schizophrenia. Having depression or having anxiety for example doesn't mean you have hallucinations. It's not so much hoping for a supernatural origin to these experiences, just keeping an open mind to the possibility.

It would be irresponsible to assume everything you can't explain is the work of a ghost or a god etc. However it would be irresponsible to simply dismiss any and all experiences outside of the normal as well. We don't know if there's a spiritual world or not, it's not anything we've been able to prove either way with technology. It might not even be possible to prove with technology.

On the mental health issue, I worked in abnormal psych for about 7 years. Mood disorders and anxiety disorders can be incredibly stressful, a lot of times people's minds become pretty creative to deal with that stress...so yah you see psychotic symptoms that can arise in people with those disorders, or really no history of mental health disorder at all.

All in all I will readily admit that I believe that any instances of supernatural phenomena are born in the mind, whether from actual hallucinations or delusions stemming from not being able to accept the finality of death.

 

[Jar of Flies]

Nieces and nephews are tricky. I said the F bomb once in their prescence by accident and they've never not repeated it when I'm around. My sister wants to kill me everytime. The point is they're more intuitive than you think and are probably feeding off your reactions.

 

[Mike]

On the mental health issue, I worked in abnormal psych for about 7 years. Mood disorders and anxiety disorders can be incredibly stressful, a lot of times people's minds become pretty creative to deal with that stress...so yah you see psychotic symptoms that can arise in people with those disorders, or really no history of mental health disorder at all.

All in all I will readily admit that I believe that any instances of supernatural phenomena are born in the mind, whether from actual hallucinations or delusions stemming from not being able to accept the finality of death.

That's honestly the opinion I have most of the time as well, even regarding my own experiences. I think people should look for logical answers above just looking for what sounds cool or is emotionally satisfying.

At the same time there's still quite a lot we don't understand about the world. I don't think you can say 100% that every supernatural experience is a trick of the mind. I do agree that's usually the most logical explanation though, and the first thing I think of.

 

[bobgeese]

Nope...

 

[Bay Area]

I actually was just about to post that. There are a lot of instances of kids, and also seemingly pets, seeing things that adults just couldn't see.

I have a friend who has had some out-of-body experiences. For a long time she didn't understand what these experiences were and referred to them as her "weird dreams." She told me a story about how one time this happened to her. She was asleep in her room and she "dreamed" that she walked into the living room and sat down in a chair and that her dog started freaking out and barking at her. After she woke up, her roommate was like, "The weirdest thing happened. The dog was just chilling and then jumped up and started barking at the chair like someone was sitting there."

The fuck?

I had a few of those too. We had just moved into a new house, and It was morning. I was half asleep and half awake. I left my body and went downstairs. I saw my parents watching TV. To make sure what was happening was real, I identified some items in the down stairs bathroom, and in the garage. Then I went back to my body, woke up, and ran downstairs to verify those items were in their exact place that I saw them when I left my body. Everything had checked out. It's these experiences that assure me that death isn't the end for us.

But yeah, apparently kids maintain their ability to perceive quicker vibrations than we do... similar to dogs. Most lose it once they get a bit older and in tune with the material plane. When a kid tells his parent that he has an secret invisible friend, and even has a name for that friend, then usually IMO that kid isn't bullshitting.

 

[Mike]

I had a few of those too. We had just moved into a new house, and It was morning. I was half asleep and half awake. I left my body and went downstairs. I saw my parents watching TV. To make sure what was happening was real, I identified some items in the down stairs bathroom, and in the garage. Then I went back to my body, woke up, and ran downstairs to verify those items were in their exact place that I saw them when I left my body. Everything had checked out. It's these experiences that assure me that death isn't the end for us.

But yeah, apparently kids maintain their ability to perceive quicker vibrations than we do... similar to dogs. Most lose it once they get a bit older and in tune with the material plane. When a kid tells his parent that he has an secret invisible friend, and even has a name for that friend, then usually IMO that kid isn't bullshitting.

Lolwut? So naming your imaginary friend is proof now? You are really quick to believe in the supernatural.

 

[Bukowski82]

Couldn't you have just been experiencing a mental issue or hallucination of some type?

That's a fair question. Believe me when I say I've considered every possible angle. Here's what I can tell you. I'm not nor have I ever been diagnosed with any mental health issue. I've been screened a number of times due to my last two jobs. At the end of the day, I can only come up with three scenarios that would explain what happened to me.

One: It was a hallucination of some form or I was drugged somehow. It was a week night and I had to work then next day and I'd stayed in, so this is very unlikely. Also, I didn't experience anything out of the ordinary besides that and was fully lucid the entire time.

Two: Someone played the greatest prank on me ever and simply never bothered with the reveal. This would be very hard to do for a number of reasons. Also, my place was locked up and I lived alone at the time.

Three: I experienced poltergeist activity.

There are just no other explanations. None that I can think of, at least. Because it definitely shot right off my desk somehow.

I'm a very skeptical person in general. Before that happened, I would have thought someone was crazy had they told me what I posted. So, even though I saw it happen, it's still kind of difficult for me to accept. Some other things to note that lead me to settle on #3 are these: The apartment building was the 'sister' building of Seattle's most famously haunted location, the Sorrento Hotel. The building was also used as a TB hospice early on in the 20th century. Multiple residents approached me completely unsolicited to either tell me the building was haunted or ask if I'd had any experiences. My girlfriend, who moved out just prior to this happening swore up and down she experienced similar things. She's a scientist. A friend came out to visit for a while from Boston. He actually woke me up one night because he was concerned there was someone in the apartment. He's not a guy that spooks easily.

I don't know, Man. It's difficult for me to settle on how something like that could occur. I think about it all the time.

 

[BearGrounds]

Perhaps she does. While it is true that multiple factors can lead to young children telling tall tales, it is also true that young children can, despite the implications of voicing such things, be blunt and honest (as they’ve yet to largely have conversational restraint instilled in them by the rest of us).

I’ve had quite a number of odd experiences associated with dreams, sleeping, and meditation. Enough to make me open to listening to what those who have claimed to see ghosts have to say. I know for certain that things can be hallucinated, so to speak, during the transitional stage between the dream world and waking reality. I’ve seen things I can attribute to residual dreaming, like spiders crawling on walls.

However, I’ve also seen/encountered things during this dream and in-between stage, that I’m not so sure were entirely dream constructs. It is strange to say, but sometimes they seem invasive or I get the feeling that the construct I’m encountering isn't governed by my mind. It can be perplexing and give rise to questions.

That said, even if there are “ghosts”, I’m sure there’s a material explanation as to why encounters with them take place. If it happens here, it must be bound by the rules of this place (even if it is, as of yet, beyond our skills of detection and measurement).

 

[klimt]

Kids have imaginations. If everyone around her treats it like the 6th Sense, then it may start becoming a problem for her. She's just growing and experimenting with her mind.

 

[TheComebackKid]

She's probably seeing ghosts

 

[Flemmy Stardust]

Nope...

I assure you, yes.

 

[Jar of Flies]

As for the OP, ghosts are real. I've shared my one (And only one that I care to ever have) experience with anything like this that turned me from someone that was not only a science buff and skeptic into a person that simply has no explanation for witnessing something shooting off his desk off it's own.

People here will think I'm full of shit and like I said when I signed up here and made my original thread, I can completely understand that. If I hadn't seen what I'd seen with my own two eyes, I'd call bullshit instantly on any absurd story like I just said. I don't blame anyone for that. But I can tell you right now, it's real. Four years ago, I experienced it for myself.

Aren't you the guy that's always bashing religion? This post seems pretty contradictory to your past comments.

 

[Bukowski82]

Aren't you the guy that's always bashing religion? This post seems pretty contradictory to your past comments.

In what way exactly...

 

[sleepwalk]

I believe in the possibility and even likelihood of various superphysical phenomena, including what we call ghosts. That said, I tend to be skeptical of individual cases. My own experience was not entirely pleasant and goes against Ockham's razor big time to explain without some sort of otherworldly element. The fact that it does run in the family, manifesting primarily in first born males, could lend credence to it being some sort of psychological/psychiatric malfunction except it has produced tangible results in some cases and the probability of coincidence in others is freakish.

Aren't you the guy that's always bashing religion? This post seems pretty contradictory to your past comments.

Don't. Just, please, do not get that ball rolling in here. There's no scoreboard and the rulebook is in hieroglyphs.