What is the phenomenon called when you wake up and see things that aren't there?

Seeing things that aren't there upon waking can be connected to various sleep-related phenomena. One possibility is visual hallucinations, which might occur due to how our brains process visual information, as discussed by Bressloff and colleagues. These hallucinations can sometimes have geometric patterns.

Another aspect to consider is the experience of out-of-body sensations. These experiences are often linked to transitions between different sleep stages, such as waking up or falling asleep.

Additionally, Felthous and colleagues highlight that acute psychosis can be associated with disturbed sleep patterns, which might include seeing things that aren't there. This can happen when normal sleep stages are disrupted.

If you or someone you know is experiencing distressing mental health symptoms, it's important to seek help. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.