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This is common in the early stages of grief and can be seen as an attempt to mitigate the sense of loss. This sense of presence may be comforting, and the bereaved person may talk to the deceased and feels as if they know what the reply will be. Hearing the deceased's voice is also normal but less common.
Misinterpreting sounds as footsteps, or momentarily mistaking a face in the crowd as the deceased's is followed by disappointment as the realization dawns that they are not actually there.
True hallucinations also occur and patients should be reassured that these are normal, and not a sign of impending insanity.
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