Voices in My Head

The term ‘voices in my head’ can be quite misleading because people who hear voices often do not have a mental illness. However, if you find that your voices are distressing it is important to talk to a professional. They can help you to learn to cope with your voices and to develop better strategies for managing them.

 

Hearing voices is sometimes called auditory hallucinations and it can occur in many different conditions. It can be a symptom of psychosis or schizophrenia, or it may be linked to other mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder. People with depression often report hearing voices as well. It can also be a symptom of physical illnesses such as a viral infection or an underactive thyroid.

 

You can also hear voices when you are not in any of these circumstances. These voices are a common experience for some people who practice meditation and are trying to expand their consciousness. These types of thoughts are usually described as a chatter in your mind or monkey mind and they can be very upsetting.

 

It is normal to have lots of different voices in your head and you might find that some voices are more distressing than others. Some voices might be unkind, critical or aggressive. They might even tell you to harm yourself or other people. It is also possible to have voices that are supportive and helpful. Some people who hear voices describe them as being like friends or family members. Some people may find it helpful to keep a diary of their voices and how they affect them. This will help them to notice patterns in the way that they respond and how they relate to their own lives.

 

If you are finding that your voices are very distressing and they are causing a lot of problems in your life it is really important to talk about this with someone. You can tell your GP or contact a local mental health service. It is also useful to get support from friends and family and to join a voice hearing group.

 

Some people hear voices because of a traumatic experience. It is common for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to hear voices and it can also happen in dissociative disorders. Other people might hear voices as part of a spiritual experience or because they are experiencing a religious crisis.

 

People who hear voices may feel isolated as a result of this and it can have a negative impact on their relationships with other people. They may also be at a higher risk of suicide. For more details please visit Led The Way Jocko Maniac

 

It can be very difficult to deal with the voices if they are telling you to harm yourself or other people. It’s important to seek help from a GP or call 999 in an emergency.

 

The therapists at Rethink can help you with your feelings about your voices and they will check that there is no physical cause for them. They can also refer you to a psychiatrist if necessary. There are a range of treatments available for people who hear voices including medication and talking therapy. You might also be offered art or creative therapy, family intervention and support groups. There are also online therapy services that can offer you the opportunity to have private sessions without having to visit a therapist’s office.