What is the difference between a hallucination and a real spiritual experience, such as seeing an angel?

Question

I have seen angels and ghosts for many years but psychiatrists see it one way and religious individuals the exact opposite.

So what is the difference between a true hallucination and a spiritual experience (e.g. seeing an angel, having an NDE/OBE, seeing/hearing a ghost, pre-birth communication, after death communication, etc)?

Would psychiatrists attempt to rule out genuine spiritual experiences before classifying them as hallucinations, and vice versa? Or would they automatically assume the patient is experiencing a hallucination without delving further into the matter at hand?

Paul

Answer 1

Not a damn bit of difference.

Answer 2

Funny how some of the sarchastic posters provided such wonderful "help" eh? WHat was even scarier, is someone claiming to be Christian, and telling you to avoid medical help if that's neccessary. The disciple Luke was a physician for crying out loud.

Regardless, on to your question. The difference is the cause. One is an unfortunate effect of a mind that has a biological problem that can be treated. The other is the attempt of communication from the spirit realm; which the Bible condemns both sides from doing. Humans, as well as angels which after the apostles died, would no longer appear to men until Christ reveals himself to the World. (Dueteronomy 18:11,12; Galatians 1:8; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10) These are real, true experiences, but the Bible clearly teaches the need to be on guard against anything "pretending" to be an angel, or a dead loved one.

The only thing a psychiatrist will try to do, is examine if there is a biological reason for such an occurence. For example, if you were undergoing an extreme manic phase when seeing these occurences for a prolonged period, they could run a PET scan on you. This would show definite biolotical red flags to the doctor. There are other tests they can run. Reality testing, etc.

I hope everything turns out well.

Answer 3

Usually a hallucination is under some type of drug or the effects of abusing some drugs.

spiritual experience good or bad is a real thing. But to understand what is going on is this. The bible states the dead are conscious of nothing, their thoughts perish. So a person does not exist at all. The bad angels or demons will mimic loved ones and may even speak in their voice. Angels that are good, will always praise God, and not except worship. It may be very rare to see an angel from God. But a demon, because the bible states the world is lying in the power of the wicked one, Satan, ghosts and apparitions will be more common. to trick a person that their soul lives on is denying the resurrection hope which is denying Jesus sacerfice for all.

Answer 4

I don't really think that there's such thing as hallucination unless if you are under drugs. There are so many different forms of existence other than us human beings. We do have one thing that can help us to discern what we can trust or not; which is our 6 sense, the gut feeling. We are given this intuition ability to help us in decision makings and in deciding which information is the truth. The truth is what resonance with your heart. Just be quiet and listen to that inner voice of yours, and you'll be able to discern what comes to you. Don't rationalize. Just believe what your heart believes and not your mind. If you want to know more about NDE/OBE, angel, spirits, there are many books on Amazon.com that explains what they are. You can also search on the internet for those information. There are much information regarding this area.
Pyschiatrists do tend to diagnose cases like this as psychotic. They like to prescribe drugs to dull the mind. The pharmaceutical corporations are one of the riches corporations in the world.

Answer 5

The reality of the experience and the cause or source. Hallicinations is caused by something. Where spititualism is some experience, wihtout a source. Whether good or bad encounters. Like Joseph Smith or Muhammad, who both had an encounter with the angel Gabriel, that produced two different religions.

Answer 6

Well Paul all of my experiences with God, I mean one on one have been while asleep except for one. I love God dreams I beg Him for them. But if you're having trouble then it sounds like you may be in what I call the "Christian Trap" youre over analyzing and second guessing yourself. I say Back Up. Step back and be yourself with all of your flaws. Dont stress and you will soon be able to tell the difference. Whatever you do dont share with the people at church. They will only try to correct you. Talk to me you can email.

Answer 7

the simple difference is wether they are real or not.

of course some would insist that none of them are real, but its simply not true. some are actually real.

some psychiatrists and stuff would categorically discount them, or at best see them as MEANINGFUL halucinations. (instead of just bizzare/random unreality)

but some are wise and insightful enough to recognize that once in a while they are real.

edit: oh, another point... sometimes medicine can help minimize or eliminate halucinations, where the real stuff can be even MORE real with medication, (since its not being clouded up with non-real stuff getting in the way)

Answer 8

Paul, there are different levels in society. Your psychiatrists are in a higher level than you. they look down upon you from their thrones of gold. You are to them a lesser mortal. Like a biologist looks at a curious beetle, so to do the psychs. look at you. Would they believe a beetle telling them of hallucinations? I don't think so, Paul. To you they may be real. To a Christian, God is real. To a psychiatrist, your mental abnormality is real.

Answer 9

I had a great hallucination experience tripping on acid and peyote, It was very spiritual.

I converted to Christianity one night when I was tripping, does that count as being saved?

Answer 10

A real spiritual experience will have a deep and positive experience on your life.

Answer 11

if you have to see a doctor about it, then it is a hallucination..

a religious vision is life changing and there is a message from God. no message, then a hallucination

also, demonic spirits can appear to people as ghosts..you need to get rid of these.....pray...