Br Med J October 1971 PMID 5096884

The hallucinations of widowhood.

W Dewi Rees

Mentions

21
Peak: 5 in Nov 2023
across 6 sources since Apr 2019

Extended reach

22,868
potential audience

Total likes

3

Video views

42

Mentions per month

Apr 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter7 posts
  • Reddit5 posts
  • News3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Facebook2 posts
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Participants express agreement by emphasizing the study’s findings, such as the 47% report rate of hallucinations and their private, culturally accepted nature, using words like 'pioneering' and phrases like 'high prevalence'. The tone is analytical yet empathetic, reflecting both curiosity and respect for the research’s significance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most participants acknowledge the findings, highlighting the high prevalence of hallucinations and their normalcy, which shows general agreement with the publication's conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions reflect strong curiosity, especially with references to historical and observational significance, indicating high interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Many discussions analyze the implications, citing specific statistics and commenting on the social and emotional aspects, demonstrating thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions underline the importance of understanding these phenomena in widowed populations, suggesting modest but meaningful influence on perceptions of widowhood experiences.

Abstract in brief

  • Approximately half of widowed individuals in the study experienced hallucinations or illusions of their deceased spouses, with similar rates among men and women, and these experiences often persisted for many years.
  • The likelihood of experiencing hallucinations was higher during the first 10 years of widowhood, increased with longer marriage duration especially in happier marriages and parenthood, and was more common among certain social groups such as professionals and managerial workers.
  • Factors such as social isolation, age at widowhood (younger individuals less likely), and cultural or residential differences did not influence hallucination incidence, and these hallucinations were usually kept private, considered normal, and potentially comforting parts of widowhood.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Richard Lehman
@RichardLehman1 · X

@jjfrey3MD Thanks so much John The Hallucinations of Widowhood

Aug 13, 2022 · 1 like · 11,279 followers View post →
awazu21
@awazu21 · X

これもPubMedCentralで公開されてる。こういう、古典的な文献への無料アクセスができるっていいよなあ。 W. Dewi Rees, The Hallucinations of Widowhood, Br Med J. 1971 Oct 2; 4(5778): 37-38, 39-41. doi: 10.1136/bmj.4.5778.37 https://t.co/uK3w1vwMkU

Mar 5, 2023 · 1 like · 2,424 followers View post →
Gerry O'Connor
@GerryO_Connor · X

None of those whose bereavement experiences are reported in the #Hallucinations of #Widowhood study , reported dramatic changes to their lifestyle & became missionaries proclaiming their experience . #EasterSunday #resurrrection.

Apr 21, 2019 · 2,552 followers View post →
Gerry O'Connor
@GerryO_Connor · X

The 1971 pioneering study “The Hallucinations of Widowhood”, revealed that 47% of widows ‘felt the presence of ‘, ‘saw’, ‘heard ‘ , ‘spoke to’ , or were touched by their dead spouse , and for many years , but they kept the experiences to themselves . #EasterSunday #resurrection

Apr 21, 2019 · 2,552 followers View post →
awazu21
@awazu21 · X

Senses of Presence研究において言及されるW. DEWI REESによる古典的な論文The Hallucinations of Widowhood, British Medical Journal, 1971, 4, 37-41。彼は熱心な国教会のクリスチャンだったんだな。

Nov 25, 2023 · 2,424 followers View post →
Further Explorations
@Near_Death_FE · X

In a 1971 study carried out in a defined area of mid-Wales of what Dewi Rees called the hallucinations of widowhood he found that 46.7 percent of widows reported such (deceased partner) visions. Rees, W.Dewi, The Hallucinations of WidowhoodBritish Medical Journal, 1971, 4, 37-41

Aug 21, 2021 · 929 followers View post →

All mentions

awazu21
@awazu21 · X

Senses of Presence研究において言及されるW. DEWI REESによる古典的な論文The Hallucinations of Widowhood, British Medical Journal, 1971, 4, 37-41。彼は熱心な国教会のクリスチャンだったんだな。

Nov 25, 2023 · 2,424 followers View post →
awazu21
@awazu21 · X

これもPubMedCentralで公開されてる。こういう、古典的な文献への無料アクセスができるっていいよなあ。 W. Dewi Rees, The Hallucinations of Widowhood, Br Med J. 1971 Oct 2; 4(5778): 37-38, 39-41. doi: 10.1136/bmj.4.5778.37 https://t.co/uK3w1vwMkU

Mar 5, 2023 · 1 like · 2,424 followers View post →
Richard Lehman
@RichardLehman1 · X

@jjfrey3MD Thanks so much John The Hallucinations of Widowhood

Aug 13, 2022 · 1 like · 11,279 followers View post →
Further Explorations
@Near_Death_FE · X

In a 1971 study carried out in a defined area of mid-Wales of what Dewi Rees called the hallucinations of widowhood he found that 46.7 percent of widows reported such (deceased partner) visions. Rees, W.Dewi, The Hallucinations of WidowhoodBritish Medical Journal, 1971, 4, 37-41

Aug 21, 2021 · 929 followers View post →
John Frey
@jjfrey3MD · X

@mikejohansenmd Rees: The Hallucinations of Widowhood. One of the great community based observational studies ever. https://t.co/Aujsh1eX52

May 21, 2020 · 547 followers View post →
Gerry O'Connor
@GerryO_Connor · X

None of those whose bereavement experiences are reported in the #Hallucinations of #Widowhood study , reported dramatic changes to their lifestyle & became missionaries proclaiming their experience . #EasterSunday #resurrrection.

Apr 21, 2019 · 2,552 followers View post →
Gerry O'Connor
@GerryO_Connor · X

The 1971 pioneering study “The Hallucinations of Widowhood”, revealed that 47% of widows ‘felt the presence of ‘, ‘saw’, ‘heard ‘ , ‘spoke to’ , or were touched by their dead spouse , and for many years , but they kept the experiences to themselves . #EasterSunday #resurrection

Apr 21, 2019 · 2,552 followers View post →
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