I see imaginary people

QI see and hear people and other things in the bedroom whenever I am trying to fall asleep at night. It makes me feel like I’m going mad! What could be causing these strange symptoms? Claire, Ilford

AYou’re having a type of hallucination which happens just as you’re falling asleep, called a hypnagogic hallucination. And hypnopompic hallucinations occur as you’re waking up.

We don’t fully understand them, but up to a third of people have them, and it doesn’t mean you’re mentally ill. You may see faces, colours, shapes or animals, or hear voices or music.

They’re not dreams but occur when parts of your brain shut down at different rates and might cause temporary sleep paralysis.

There’s usually no need for any form of treatment.