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Published on: 7/15/2026

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

Yoshinori Abe

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Seeing things that aren't there when you wake up is often a hypnopompic hallucination—a sensory experience that occurs during the transition from sleep to wakefulness. These hallucinations are typically brief, visual, and can feel vivid or startling, though they are usually harmless. They may also occur alongside sleep paralysis or vivid dreams. Common causes include sleep deprivation, irregular sleep schedules, stress, or underlying conditions such as narcolepsy or anxiety disorders.

If waking hallucinations are happening often or disrupting your rest, it's worth understanding why. Symptoms like these can overlap with several conditions, and getting clarity early helps you take the right next step—whether that's improving sleep habits or talking to a doctor. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to explore possible causes based on your specific experience and get guidance tailored to you in minutes.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Important Next Steps

Learn why you’re seeing things when waking upDiscover if your symptoms need urgent careFind likely causes of waking hallucinationsSee OTC options for these symptomsFind a doctor for hallucination concernsDiscover home remedies for waking hallucinationsUnderstand if nighttime symptoms need a check

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Explanation

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, 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 these or other concerning symptoms, it may be helpful to use a free symptom checker to better understand what might be going on and determine if you should seek professional medical advice.

(References)

  • Bressloff PC, Cowan JD, Golubitsky M, Thomas PJ, & Wiener MC. (2002). What geometric visual hallucinations tell us about the .... Neural computation, 11860679.

  • Herrero NL, Gallo FT, Gasca-Rolín M, Gleiser PM, & Forcato C. (2023). Spontaneous and induced out-of-body experiences during .... Journal of sleep research, 36053735.

  • Felthous AR, Wenger PJ, & Hoevet R. (2010). Acute psychosis associated with dissociated sleep- .... Pharmacotherapy, 20334466.

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