Steps for Identifying If You Have a Haunting

I'm going to Sticky this thread and leave it open for discussion. So, please feel free to add any input!


This thread is for those of you who think you may have paranormal activity going on at your residence, but aren't entirely sure. These are some things to consider:

Do you live in an old house/apartment/condo/etc.?
If you live in an older building, the foundation of the place has warped and changed over the years, thus making it much more likely that you'll hear strange sounds.

Have you had your plumbing checked recently?
If your faucets seem to be going off by themselves, it may not be paranormal at all - you may just need to have a plumber come and tighten up the piping.

Are drafts common through your windows or doors?
Many windows do not have very good insulation, and so drafts may often enter through them, causing you to feel sudden "cold spots," or for you to get goosebumps.

Are the seasons changing?
If it is between seasons, the wooden boards that make up the foundation of your home may be expanding or contracting depending on the season, thus causing loud sounds.

Are you the only one noticing this activity?
Ask others that live with you if they've experienced anything. If not, it's likely your imagination may be getting away with you.

Have you checked the electro-magnetic fields in your home?
If you haven't, you may want to call in someone who can. Your house may have dangerously high EMF readings coming from your home wiring, appliances, and so forth. This can result in numerous things, such as nausea, health problems, the feeling of being watched, headaches, stress, fatigue, skin rashes, and even miscarriages, leukemia, and cancer.

Do you have an infestation problem?
If you are hearing noises such as scratching or nibbling, you may have a rodent or insect infestation that you'll want to have checked out.

Do you live with any others?
If you live with one or more other people, they may be the cause of misplacement of items. Either they may move them without you realizing, or they could even be doing it on purpose to confuse you as a joke. Make sure they are not the cause of moving objects, or any other phenomena for that matter, such as odd noises.

Do you have any medical conditions?
For instance, some people experience something called sleep paralysis, where they wake up in the middle of the night unable to move. This is due to the fact that while you're asleep, your brain attempts to shut off all movement of your body (otherwise you would be walking around acting out your dreams). If you wake up suddenly though, your brain still may believe you are asleep, and you have to give it time to adjust and allow your limbs to move once more. Many times, this instance is mistaken for something paranormal. Any other medical conditions that may affect certain activity are something to keep in mind.

I would add that people need to be aware of any possible exposure to chemical agents. Excessive exposure to paint fumes or cleaning chemicals, for example. Also, possible allergies to mold (or anything for that matter.)
Any of these things can cause people to have 'strange feelings' and become edgy or nervous, or even hysterical.

Ah, good call. Chemicals can cause people to become disoriented. Especially if people are redecorating and painting their home, paint fumes may become an issue. Mold too is definitely not good to have around.