Hallucinations: Are They All in My Mind?
Those with schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia and other mentally ill individuals tend to see things that aren’t really there. They see scary visions or weird, confusing visions that they can’t make sense of. They may see people, spiritual entities, other beings or things, or strange, alternate realities. Are they more in touch with the supernatural?
Seeing hallucinations is a common symptom of an episode of psychosis. I started seeing hallucinatory visions during a particularly severe nervous breakdown thirteen years ago. Then last year I saw spiritual beings and interacted with them, during a five-week-long psychotic breakdown. I was hospitalized and after the medication kicked in, I stopped seeing these visions for a few months.
This year I have seen several angels of light. When I was living up north with my parents, a demon appeared to me in a vision and frightened me. I have had hallucinatory dreams and seen vivid people in my room and house. I saw an evil angel with horns in my bedroom about ten years ago, and I even saw the Devil himself appear a couple of times in the past ten years.
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
We Have Spiritual Sight and Perception
These hallucinations were vivid and frightening or were alternatively amazing because I believe they aren’t just hallucinations. Some of us just have a stronger spirit and our spiritual eyes are keen; they can see things in the spirit world that other people with more natural minds cannot see. We who are mentally ill are more in touch with the supernatural so when we see these visions we are connecting spiritually. When we are sounder in mind, we don’t always see these visions because we are more focused on the natural realm and physical world. But when we lose our sense of touch with reality, we are linked more with the spirit realm.
I have met spiritual beings in the last year, angels of darkness and angels of light, as my mind has focused more on the spirit realm. I have seen visions of Jesus talking to me. These visions did not frighten me anymore because I understood finally that it is a privilege to interact with and see the spirit realm. I don’t believe these are delusions. I believe these beings are real.
Daniel 4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
From Darkness or From Light?
If these visions frighten you, just know that the Lord and His angels are there to protect you. If you see people, they could be spirit travelers. Or, if you see beings of light or cannot discern their origin, don’t assume that it is all due to insanity. Many, many people like me who have schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenics have seen hallucinatory visions. The spirit world is full of supernatural beings and as we get closer to God, we are more likely to see these entities because our mind becomes more spiritual. We become more in touch with the supernatural. Some may appear to try to oppress us from the kingdom of darkness, but the Lord prevents them from harming us even though they seem menacing. We can tell them to leave in the name of Jesus. Others are friendly beings from God’s heavenly kingdom who care about us and are watching over us. There could be beings from alternate dimensions too. I have seen some of those beings as well.
Psalm 27:12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
The mentally ill are special people. We see things that not many others see. Consider yourself to be unique and loved by Almighty God. We are meant to be His children, to find Him and be called into his kingdom. I believe the Devil knows that we all see these supernatural glimpses, so he tries to convince others that those hallucinatory visions are just delusional insanity. If no one takes us seriously, he can covertly cover up his activities and presence and convince naturally minded people there is no God or Devil.
Visions Can Be Real
Yes, my mind loses touch with reality sometimes. I have delusional thinking, paranoia, and confusion. I hear voices and see visions when off my medication for a few days or more. But I have also been growing closer to God and so as a result, I have become more spiritually keen. When I have these visions I feel more in touch with God, even if less in touch with the natural realm. I am thankful that I am more in touch with the supernatural realm. I have not seen scary visions in several years, but I know many people continue to see frightening things. It can be hard to talk about these visions with others. But I believe you. I know these visions seem real. They could very well be real.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Ezekiel 13:6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith: and the Lord hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
Visions Can Also Be False
Seeing the supernatural brings me closer to God and His realm. I know not every single vision I see is trustworthy, because deceiving spirits are likely to give misleading visions. When I get confused about what I see, I ask the Spirit of God to give me discernment and I find He is faithful to show me when those deceiving spirits are at work, trying to confuse my mind. I have heard so many Christians describe amazing visions they have had, but upon closer examination, I can tell that they were false visons of deceit. I wish everyone who sees spiritual glimpses would pray and ask God to show them the true nature of the vision. Sometimes these so-called angels have no good intentions, and only appear in disguise. The same with spiritual travelers from the kingdom of darkness. Sometimes these visions are probably just hallucinations created from our minds, the same way our minds create dreams. But even in dreams we might see spiritual beings and vivid pictures of the supernatural realm.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
God Shows us the Truth
You are not alone. God understands your confusion and questions. He has given us His Spirit to show us what we can’t understand on our own. The Lord God is always with us, no matter what we see. He knows that the mentally ill are prone to confusion and fearfulness, even though they may be more in touch with the supernatural. Seeing confusing visions contributes to this. For me, taking my medication (Invega) helps keep my mind stable enough that when I see a vision, I can recover from the confusion, with the Spirit’s help. You can too. Learn to rely on God completely and never interpret anything on your own nor assume that it came from Him. If something you see is frightening or raises alarms in your spirit, call upon the One who has power over all evil spirits, the Lord Jesus. He is our deliverer, and He can set captives free.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Sound Mind Seeker
I am a Christian woman who has lived schizoaffective disorder and anxiety for over 25 years. This site takes its readers into the depths of mental illness and anxiety from a Christian perspective, and how God has helped me cope with and manage my mental struggles.
