7-Year-Old Bryce: Mommy, I See Ghosts

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A child’s “ghost sightings” turned out to be temporal lobe epilepsy. Learn how brain scans can reveal the real cause of some hallucinations.

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A Boy Saw “Ghosts” Until a Brain Scan Revealed the Truth Newsletter header: The Real Reason Behind a Child’s Terrifying “Visions”

When 7-year-old Bryce’s mother read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to him, he became very upset. The visual distortions described in the book by Lewis Carroll felt too familiar to him. He said that he felt like Alice.

“I have weird things happen to me,” he told her. “I see things.”

During the day, Bryce saw objects change shapes, often getting smaller. He also saw green, shadowy ghosts at night. The young boy also had a lot of anxiety symptoms.

Some moms might chalk this up to a “childish imagination,” but Bryce’s mom could see the fear in her child’s eyes and believed him. Frightened that Bryce was losing his mind (a cousin had already been diagnosed with a “schizophrenic-like” illness), she realized she needed to seek help for her son.

A brain SPECT scan at Amen Clinics, doctors discovered the real culprit behind the “ghosts” Bryce was seeing. Bryce wasn’t “haunted.” He had temporal lobe epilepsy, a brain condition that can cause intense visual hallucinations, emotional swings, and déjà vu experiences.

Bryce could have been headed down a very dark path and a future of psychiatric medications and treatments. But what looked supernatural was actually related to brain function and completely treatable.

“I have weird things happen to me. I see things,” said a 7-year-old boy who was seeing ghost-like figures. His mom, worried that he might be losing his mind, took him to Amen Clinics for a brain SPECT scan, which revealed the real culprit.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy?

The temporal lobes are situated behind the ears on each side of the brain and play a key role in memory, emotion, and sensory processing. When abnormal electrical activity occurs here, it can lead to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), a form of focal epilepsy that often goes unrecognized.

Common Symptoms of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

  • Visual or auditory distortions: Objects appear larger, smaller, or distorted and sounds may seem distant or amplified.
  • Déjà vu or jamais vu: Feeling that something that something strange is oddly familiar or something familiar is strange.
  • Sudden waves of fear or anxiety for no reason.
  • Spaciness or confusion after a seizure or brief loss of awareness.
  • Changes in mood or behavior.
  • Religious or moral preoccupation or intense emotional experiences.
  • Seizures, which may be subtle (“absence” seizures) or dramatic.

Children, in particular, may describe “seeing things,” “time stopping,” or “hearing music that isn’t there.” Just remember that these are classic childhood epilepsy symptoms, not signs of imagination or misbehavior.

Related: Jason’s Story: From Hallucinations to Happy and Healthy

Why Is Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Often Misdiagnosed?

Because symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy overlap with mental disorders, misdiagnosis is common. A child describing “ghosts” or “voices” may be thought to have schizophrenia, anxiety, or just a vivid imagination. Additionally, adults may be treated for depression or panic attacks instead of epilepsy.

The consequences of ignoring temporal lobe problems can have a profound impact like emotional instability, cognitive changes, and distress that worsens over time. Many people spend years in therapy before learning their symptoms stem from electrical misfires in the brain, not emotional weakness or spiritual experiences.

Without looking at the brain, even well-intentioned professionals may miss the true cause.

How Is Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Diagnosed?

Traditional tools like MRI or EEG (electroencephalogram) and can reveal structural or electrical abnormalities in the brain, but they don’t always show the full picture. MRI scans show anatomy, while EEG measures surface brain waves. Both can miss subtle activity patterns deep in the brain.

That’s where brain SPECT imaging, which is what we use at Amen Clinics, comes in. A brain SPECT scan for temporal lobe epilepsy measures blood flow and activity patterns, helping clinicians see the origins of seizures.

In Bryce’s case, his brain scan revealed increased activity in his right temporal lobe, confirming that his “ghost sightings” were brain-based events. With this insight, his doctors could target the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

Bryce’s comprehensive evaluation also included a clinical history and neuropsychological testing to ensure an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan.

How Is Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Diagnosed?

Traditional tools like MRI or EEG (electroencephalogram) and can reveal structural or electrical abnormalities in the brain, but they don’t always show the full picture. MRI scans show anatomy, while EEG measures surface brain waves. Both can miss subtle activity patterns deep in the brain.

That’s where brain SPECT imaging, which is what we use at Amen Clinics, comes in. A brain SPECT scan for temporal lobe epilepsy measures blood flow and activity patterns, helping clinicians see the origins of seizures.

In Bryce’s case, his brain scan revealed increased activity in his right temporal lobe, confirming that his “ghost sightings” were brain-based events. With this insight, his doctors could target the root cause rather than just the symptoms.

Bryce’s comprehensive evaluation also included a clinical history and neuropsychological testing to ensure an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan.

What Can Happen If Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Goes Untreated?

When temporal lobe epilepsy is left untreated, symptoms can intensify and evolve. Research shows that ongoing seizures or abnormal brain activity can lead to changes in brain structure and emotional regulation.

According to multiple studies, long-term consequences can include:

  • Worsening visual hallucinations and sensory distortions
  • Increased anxiety, depression, or paranoia
  • Memory and attention problems due to temporal lobe dysfunction
  • More frequent or severe seizures
  • Social withdrawal and reduced quality of life

Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for healing and preventing lasting brain changes, especially in children whose brains are still developing.

Related: Breaking From Reality: The Complexity of Psychotic Disorders

What Are The Treatment Options For Temporal Lobe Epilepsy?

The good news? Healing temporal lobe epilepsy is possible. With proper diagnosis, most people experience major improvements in symptoms and overall brain function. Some common treatment options may include:

  • Anti-seizure medication: As in Bryce’s case, these can help regulate electrical activity and stop seizures.
  • Psychotherapy and support: Helps patients cope with emotional symptoms and reduce anxiety.
  • Lifestyle adjustments: Regular sleep, brain-healthy nutrition, and stress management can reduce seizure triggers.
  • Comprehensive, multi-modal care: Combining medical treatment, nutrition, and therapy creates stronger outcomes than a single approach.

Bryce’s Transformation: What Happened After Treatment

Once Bryce began treatment, everything changed. The hallucinations that had terrified him disappeared. His anxiety calmed down, his focus improved, and his confidence returned. His family finally understood that he wasn’t “seeing ghosts” but instead experiencing a medical condition that could be treated and managed.

Bryce’s story illustrates the power of seeing brain health through a compassionate, scientific lens. When parents and clinicians look beyond surface symptoms, children like Bryce can reclaim their health, peace, joy, and potential.

FAQ About Hallucinations And Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

If you or your child experiences unexplained hallucinations, fear, or memory lapses, there is hope. Here’s how to start healing:

  1. Seek professional help. Find a neurologist or brain health specialist experienced in diagnosing epilepsy.
  2. Get a brain-based evaluation. A brain SPECT scan can reveal underlying temporal lobe problems that may not appear on standard tests.
  3. Find epilepsy support for children and families. Learning more about the condition can ease fear and help you take the next step toward recovery.

At Amen Clinics, our experts have helped thousands of people uncover the root causes of mysterious symptoms and begin their journey to healing.

Hallucinations, confusion, or emotional swings that don’t respond to traditional treatment can be signs of a troubled brain. With science, compassion, and the right tools, temporal lobe epilepsy can be understood, managed, and healed.

Just like Bryce, countless others have learned that the “ghosts” they see are not spirits rather signals from the brain asking for help.

Amen Clinics uses brain SPECT imaging to measure blood flow and activity patterns. This allows clinicians to see areas of the brain like the temporal lobes that may be overactive or underactive, leading to more accurate diagnoses and better outcomes.

Amen Clinics

Founded in 1989 by double-board certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist Daniel G. Amen, MD, Amen Clinics Inc. (ACI) is known as the best brain and mental health company in the world. Our clinical staff includes over 50 healthcare specialists, including adult and child psychiatrists, integrative (functional) medicine physicians, naturopaths, addiction specialists, forensic psychiatrists, geriatric psychiatrists, nutritionists, licensed therapists, and more. Our clinicians have all been hand-selected and personally trained by Dr. Amen, whose mission is to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health. Over the last 35-plus years, ACI has built the world’s largest database of functional brain scans—over 250,000 SPECT scans on patients from 155 countries—related to how people think, feel, and behave.

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