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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 37. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 12:24:00
Can anyone explain to me what is meant by 'hearing voices'? I'm pretty sure I've never had this problem, but I do have a constant rambling of negative and/or anxious thoughts when I'm feeling badly. I never realized how intrusive and disruptive they were until I added a bit of paxil to my drug cocktail, and the negative/anxious 'noise'stopped. My mind felt quiet and I've been feeling much more in control of my thoughts now that the 'noise' is gone. Can anyone relate to this? I'm not hearing voices, am I? I've been experiencing every other damn symptom of craziness in the past year, so maybe that wouldn't surprise me!
Posted by jjj on July 14, 2004, at 15:02:58
In reply to Have I been hearing voices?, posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 12:24:00
In my experience, the voices appear to come from outside your head. I was convinced one of my neighbors was complaining about me through the wall of my apartment. He was pretty derogatory and kept muttering about what a bad person I was all night long. It was totally unreasonable, but I still thought it was a real person doing it. Nothing short of a bit of risperdal quieted him down.
It sounds to me like you're experiencing racing thoughts. Do you actually hear sounds or is it just thoughts in your head? Are the thoughts in your voice or someone elses? My auditory hallucinations seemed to me to be real sounds and did not seem to be coming from my head.
-Jon
Posted by ghost on July 14, 2004, at 16:35:01
In reply to Have I been hearing voices?, posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 12:24:00
i've always had what i called a constant running dialogue in my head. commenting on what i do, yelling at me for decisions i make, telling me i suck, sometimes coaching me or cheering me on. i always thought it was my "conscience" until i started talking about them in the hospital. apparently it's not normal and often a symptom of bipolar disorder. (i think more specifically schitzo affective disorder, but i'm not sure about that). when i'm really hypersensitive i have this constant *noise* in my head, anywhere from a dull roar to the sounds of millions of people screaming at the top of their lungs. outside noises are amplified tremendously and often downright hurt. (i've never talked about this before with therapists or anything.)
in any case, the voices have never been my own, or of anyone i know, and i think that constitutes "hearing voices." i think they can come from inside or outside of your head, and can be exacerbated by stresses or bad situations.
just my $0.02
glad to hear your paxil has helped the noise, anyway...
ghost
Posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 16:36:36
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices?, posted by jjj on July 14, 2004, at 15:02:58
Thank you Jon, that's a helpful description. The voices I'm talking about are confined to my head. They didn't startle me or seem to be coming from someone else. They probably are racing, anxious and depressed thoughts. I've just been curious since they went away recently and I hadn't even thought that much of them being there. I was just used to it. Thank you for clarifying. Do people normally hear negative voices, or can they be positive?
Posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 16:42:01
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » holymama, posted by ghost on July 14, 2004, at 16:35:01
Thank you ghost... yes, my 'voices' , or conscience (like I've always thought of it too) is usually there when I'm depressed or anxious, like a constant barrage of negative comments. I think that when I'm healthy they are gone and my mind is more at peace. I guess I've recently wondered if it's more than just 'my conscience', and might be a sign of my illness. Hopefully that paxil will keep working...
Posted by Elle2021 on July 14, 2004, at 16:51:56
In reply to Have I been hearing voices?, posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 12:24:00
> Can anyone explain to me what is meant by 'hearing voices'?
I can think of four explanations:
1. Negative automatic thoughts (I'm not good enough, I'm stupid, etc.)
2. Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly MPD)
The voices you describe don't sound like you are suffering from this, but I'm not a professional.3. Schizophrenia: Voices from the outside, telling you to do things. I don't think your voices have this feel either according to what you say.
4. Racing thoughts (like JJJ mentioned)
My best guess is choices 1 and 4 for you, but like I said earlier, I'm not a professional. My therapist told me that it is not uncommon for people to hear someone call their name just before they are falling asleep or just before waking up. That happens to me sometimes.
There is a great thread you ought to read:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040703/msgs/364407.htmlI was talking to my therapist about the voice I hear in my head. I have PTSD. I plan to ask her about the possiblity of DID because at the end of the session she said, "Do you want to know what I think is wrong, or if I think you are crazy?" I said, "Not really, but go ahead. She said,"the voice will probably go away when you get your past trauma straightened out.
Elle
Posted by Poet on July 14, 2004, at 17:38:24
In reply to Have I been hearing voices?, posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 12:24:00
Hi Holymama,
I have a constant negative script running through my head. It's my own voice, my own thoughts that tell me I'm a complete failure, worthless, etc.
I think if you hear voices it's voices that aren't you own. I'm so glad that Paxil erased your negative tape. Neither Paxil or Effexor has erased mine. Though my therapist says we can write a new script, so maybe there's hope for me, yet.
Poet
Posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 18:38:14
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » holymama, posted by Elle2021 on July 14, 2004, at 16:51:56
Wow Elle, thank you for all of the good information. It does sound to me like I have # 1 and #4. Reading through the thread you suggested, it made me think about my own 'inner critic', and the critical woman I've had in my life. Maybe it's a voice that's taking the place of my mother! My mom is very critical and to this day I feel she can never make me feel as if I'm successful or good enough in her eyes. That's like the voice in my head. Thank you for the great ideas to think about.
~~Autumn~~
Posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 18:42:53
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » holymama, posted by Poet on July 14, 2004, at 17:38:24
Hi Poet, Your symptoms sound familiar. A negative script is an interesting way to put it, and makes a lot of sense. I haven't gotten to a point in therapy where we've discussed writing a new script or anything like that, we're just playing around with meds. My moods, inner voices, etc...change drastically with each different med change. I feel like I'm choosing my personality!! Good luck to you in rewriting your script or in finding a chemical change that can turn it off for you.
~~Autumn~~
Posted by SandyWeb on July 15, 2004, at 8:26:08
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » Poet, posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 18:42:53
I seem to have a problem with voices as well, although I haven't mentioned it to my p-doc. Maybe I should.
I have a male voice that likes to talk incessantly in my head. He just talks about anything and everything. I can even hold a conversation with him as well. If I comment on something he has said, he will instantly comment back to me. He has never been derogatory; he just talks and talks. I don't know who he is.
There is one BAD man that will come out of the blue and say the most horrible cursing! I wouldn't even be able to put those words together because my mind doesn't even think like that!! I do not swear at all!!! I don't even say the G word. But this man SHOCKS me beyond belief. My heart drops to my stomach, I tell God that it wasn't me, and then I ask for forgiveness. It disturbs me greatly, sometimes for hours.
These "voices" are inside my head. But I do hear music outside my head. It sounds like a radio station. I can almost hear the DJ talking over the music. It is so weird.
All of these "voices" are greatly exacerbated by stress!!! When life is calm, I rarely hear them.
Take care!
Sandy
Posted by jjj on July 15, 2004, at 13:04:11
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » jjj, posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 16:36:36
I'm glad that you're no longer experiencing those unpleasant thoughts.
As for hearing positive or negative voices, I think it varies from person to person. It is possible to hear all kinds of things. My voices were all negative and occurred when I had a very depressed mood. I think the term is mood congruent. People with schizophrenia can experience mood incongruent hallucinations, which I interpret as just being random disturbances that are unrelated to the person's mood. I have not experienced it, but I've heard that bipolers in a manic state sometimes experience mood congruent hallucinations, which would be very pleasant. (for example, god tells you that you're the messiah. something like that).
Posted by Elle2021 on July 15, 2004, at 14:21:54
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices?, posted by SandyWeb on July 15, 2004, at 8:26:08
Okay, when I read your post it was like reading one of my own.
I have a woman's voice who (like you said) comes out of the blue and will say the nastiest things to me, and about other people. She uses the most blasphemous terms. I am very religious, and I don't curse. Sometimes I will be trying to talk to someone, and she will start talking, making mean comments about what the other person is saying. It can be very difficult to try to listen to both her and the real person. Some days she is very quiet, other days she antagonizes me. It's weird, sometimes I can feel her trying to say something. Like right now. I do all I can to keep me from hearing her.
Elle
Posted by SandyWeb on July 15, 2004, at 19:11:06
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » SandyWeb, posted by Elle2021 on July 15, 2004, at 14:21:54
(((Elle)))
Have you told your pdoc about these voices? I'm almost afraid to bring it up to mine. Who wants to admit that they hear voices, right?
Like you, I can't imagine ever even THINKING the horrible curses that my guy says. I'm wondering if maybe it's things that we've heard in movies or tv programs, and since everything we've ever heard is supposedly saved in our brains, it comes out this way??? Or maybe things we've read in books??? Because I certainly couldn't come up with these sentences myself! Although I really don't know why my voices are MALES.
I wish you all the best, hun!!
Hugs,
Sandy
Posted by Elle2021 on July 15, 2004, at 19:37:01
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » Elle2021, posted by SandyWeb on July 15, 2004, at 19:11:06
Hi Sandy,
> Have you told your pdoc about these voices? I'm almost afraid to bring it up to mine. Who wants to admit that they hear voices, right?I have told my therapist. She was pretty good about it. I really hope that you can tell your pdoc about the voices you hear soon. He will know the right questions to ask you so you and figure out what is going on. Please especially mention to him the part you said about being able to hear a radio and just barely being able to hear the dj. That sounds particularly important to me.
> Like you, I can't imagine ever even THINKING the horrible curses that my guy says. I'm wondering if maybe it's things that we've heard in movies or tv programs, and since everything we've ever heard is supposedly saved in our brains, it comes out this way??? Or maybe things we've read in books??? Because I certainly couldn't come up with these sentences myself!
I'm not sure how those thoughts pop into my head. For me, the things "she" says just are not thoughts I would normally have myself. Some of them I find completely terrible. I think your theory about having heard them in a movie, tv, read them in a book is just as valid as any other theory. We will get to the bottom of this.
>Although I really don't know why my voices are MALES.
That is interesting isn't it. When they say something to you, do you answer? Out loud or do you respond by "thinking" your answer. Have you ever tried asking either one of them to be quiet?
You may want to read this thread:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040703/msgs/364407.html> I wish you all the best, hun!!
I wish you all the best too!
((((Sandy))))Elle
Posted by SandyWeb on July 15, 2004, at 20:31:33
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » SandyWeb, posted by Elle2021 on July 15, 2004, at 19:37:01
Hi Elle,
I began to read some of the messages in the thread you mentioned. I know exactly about dissociating!! I have it happen in highly stressful situations. I just had it happen in my last session with my "team" last week. My pdoc's voice was so far away, and when I talked, I was talking through a tunnel. So I stopped talking, other than to say yes or no. I do NOT like feeling so disconnected. But, just like me, I can't let anyone even have the slightest suspicion that I'm anything other than all there. *smile*
Now, as to your comment about the music and the dj that I hear. Why do you think that is important to mention to my pdoc? I can't make out what the dj is saying, and I can't even really tell what the music is. But it certainly is outside my head, and sounds like it's coming from the walls and ceiling. Almost like an AM station. Ick, huh? Lol.
As for the voices, I most certainly do NOT answer the fowl voice. He is just too vulgar and disturbing. I do not want to spend any amount of time on remembering his words. The quicker I get away from him, the better.
As for the other male voice, yes...sometimes I will answer him and he answers IMMEDIATELY right back. We can have a high-speed conversation, without any pauses to think. Just boom-boom-boom. But he never says anything bad at all. He just likes to yak and yak. I don't know who he thinks he's yakking to. *smile*
No, I've never asked them to be quiet. Have you asked yours? I don't want to communicate with the fowl voice. I'll never admit to him that I hear him. As for the other guy....well, he doesn't seem to be doing any harm. Other than I can't sleep when he gets really excited and noisy. Lol.
Are you on meds for your voices? Is it okay to hear the voices? Mine didn't start until this whole mess began about a year and a half ago. Before that, it was just little ole me in this body. Lol. How about yourself?
Take care!
Sandy
Posted by Elle2021 on July 16, 2004, at 15:40:20
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » Elle2021, posted by SandyWeb on July 15, 2004, at 20:31:33
>My pdoc's voice was so far away, and when I talked, I was talking through a tunnel. So I stopped talking, other than to say yes or no. I do NOT like feeling so disconnected.
Oh yeah, I know what you mean. The voice sounds far away and the entire room looks "wavy."
>But, just like me, I can't let anyone even have the slightest suspicion that I'm anything other than all there. *smile*
:) It might actually be a good idea to let him know. You mentioned you don't like it, and there are a few techniques he can teach you to help it a little bit. Things like breathing. It helps me to pick an object and describe it throughly.
> Now, as to your comment about the music and the dj that I hear. Why do you think that is important to mention to my pdoc?
It just seems like an important symptom to me. It couldn't hurt to look into it. There was a thread several months back that someone wrote. Said that she could hear music playing constantly. I think she mentioned it sometimes sounded like an orchestra!
> As for the voices, I most certainly do NOT answer the fowl voice. He is just too vulgar and disturbing. I do not want to spend any amount of time on remembering his words. The quicker I get away from him, the better.
How do you get away from him?
> No, I've never asked them to be quiet. Have you asked yours?
Yes, when she starts talking I tell her that I am the one in control here and she needs to be quiet. Usually she stops after I tell her to.
>As for the other guy....well, he doesn't seem to be doing any harm. Other than I can't sleep when he gets really excited and noisy. Lol.
Oh my! That must be frustrating sometimes!! What do you do when he won't be quiet?
> Are you on meds for your voices?I was on Chlorpromazine, but I don't take it anymore. I do take it when I get hypomanic.
>Is it okay to hear the voices?
I can't really answer that. It's hard to say. We all have an inner-voice, but I'm not sure where we start to distinguish it between healthy and problematic. I'm not sure.
>Mine didn't start until this whole mess began about a year and a half ago. Before that, it was just little ole me in this body. Lol
Hmm, I read your other post and it sounds like you had some really traumatic things happen to you. I'm sorry if I already asked this, but what is your dx?
>How about yourself?
I think my voices started about 2 years ago. I remember creating "people" to talk to when I was younger. I began having inner-conversations with myself? about the trauma I was going through. Maybe that's why I here the voice now. I'm dxed with PTSD, OCD, depression, panic disorder, etc... ugh! lol :)
> Take care!You take good care of yourself too!! It's so good talking to you.
Elle
Posted by TexasChic on July 16, 2004, at 16:13:29
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices?, posted by SandyWeb on July 15, 2004, at 8:26:08
>But I do hear music outside my head. It sounds like a radio station. I can almost hear the DJ talking over the music.
I just wanted to say I experience this too. Its not loud like some people have described. Its almost inaudible. The harder I try to listen the more it seems to fade out. What struck me about your post was that you said it sounds like its coming from the ceiling or walls. That's exactly like mine! The odd thing is, one time I was talking to my Mom about it, and she said she hears it too. We both speculated about whether someone could actually be in the attic or walls listening to a radio, but decided it wasn't really possible. I kind of think maybe its a hearing thing.
Posted by SandyWeb on July 16, 2004, at 18:43:22
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » SandyWeb, posted by Elle2021 on July 16, 2004, at 15:40:20
>
> Oh yeah, I know what you mean. The voice sounds far away and the entire room looks "wavy."<His voice and MY voice sound far away. And I'm not connected to my body. I feel like I'm about a couple inches to the side of my body. And the room, and everyone in it, seem like a dream. I hate it because I know I look normal on the outside, and I have to continue to act normal. Scary stuff.
> :) It might actually be a good idea to let him know.<I suppose it would be a good idea to let him know that I'm not connected, but I just can't do that. I still have the very strong value of handling my difficulties by myself. I can not accept help. I haven't really learned....or want to learn, for that matter...how to tell someone that I'm in trouble. I have to handle it by myself.
> How do you get away from him?<The fowl male takes a lot of energy to get away from. I have to focus on my prayers to God. Even though, sometimes he still is able to throw in a couple more HORRIBLE curses....right in the middle fo my talk with God. And then I pray even harder, asking for forgiveness. By focusing on God strong enough, and not allowing the fowl male to draw me into a discussion with him, I am able to eventually get him to go away.
> What do you do when he won't be quiet?<
The other male voice comes around a lot more than the bad guy. I don't really do anything when he won't shut up. Sometimes I listen to his ramblings, sometimes I chat with him, other times I just wish he would be quiet long enough so that I could sleep through the night. But he's not a bad guy at all.
> I'm sorry if I already asked this, but what is your dx? <I've never told my doc about the voices...or about a lot of other things...so I'm sure I have more "wrong with me" than what they have listed in the medical records. Lol. One doc said I had social phobia with avoidant personality behavior. Another doc said that I didn't have a mental disorder other than that I CRACKED. Lol!! But I'm sure they would have more to say if I told them everything.
Have yourself a wonderful night.
Sandy
Posted by SandyWeb on July 16, 2004, at 18:45:39
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices?, posted by TexasChic on July 16, 2004, at 16:13:29
> Its almost inaudible. The harder I try to listen the more it seems to fade out.<
That's interesting. Actually, when I turn my attention to it, the music and male dj become MORE audible. But I tend to try to ignore it and just leave it as background noise.
Take care!
Sandy
Posted by shadows721 on July 18, 2004, at 2:14:25
In reply to Have I been hearing voices?, posted by holymama on July 14, 2004, at 12:24:00
Holymama,
Personally, I think that you would know if you indeed had heard voices.
Dissociatives hear them "inside" their heads. It can be static, music, noises, voices (male, female, child, or adult). Dissociatives also have auditory flashbacks. In other words, they will have a flashback of hearing anything from their past. As a child, I used to hear my name called when no one was there. That too was a flashback.
Schziophrenics hear the voices or noises "outside" their heads. An example: A person may think the person on the tv is talking directly to them.
I started writing down what the voices say. The other day I heard, "I WAS ROBBED." Then, I had dreams about my wallet being stolen with my identification. In another dream, I had my wedding ring guard stolen. With me, I believe the voices are trying to tell me something that I have not consciously accepted or realized.
Medications can have an influence on hearing things too. Some can make things quiet and some can make your mind a noise box.
Posted by Elle2021 on July 18, 2004, at 3:37:13
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » Elle2021, posted by SandyWeb on July 16, 2004, at 18:43:22
> His voice and MY voice sound far away. And I'm not connected to my body. I feel like I'm about a couple inches to the side of my body. And the room, and everyone in it, seem like a dream. I hate it because I know I look normal on the outside, and I have to continue to act normal. Scary stuff.
I completely agree. I think dissociating is so vexing. It always happens to me in my therapist's office. I try to fight it, but after it's started, it's hard to fight it. I guess sometimes I appreciate it, but just not in my T's office.
> I suppose it would be a good idea to let him know that I'm not connected, but I just can't do that. I still have the very strong value of handling my difficulties by myself. I can not accept help. I haven't really learned....or want to learn, for that matter...how to tell someone that I'm in trouble. I have to handle it by myself.Well... You have taken the step to see a pdoc, and in a way that was/is asking for help. And you have asked for help here. So, in a way you've made a lot of progress. :)
>How do you get away from him?<
> The fowl male takes a lot of energy to get away from. I have to focus on my prayers to God.So through refocusing, that is a good idea.
>Even though, sometimes he still is able to throw in a couple more HORRIBLE curses....right in the middle fo my talk with God.
That almost sounds like OCD to me. I've experienced the same thing and I know how extremely uncomfortable I feel when it happens.
What do you think the foul male wants from you?
I don't know what "she" wants from me. I asked her and she doesn't answer.
Elle
Posted by Elle2021 on July 18, 2004, at 3:38:49
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices?, posted by TexasChic on July 16, 2004, at 16:13:29
Could it be Tinitus maybe?
Elle
> I just wanted to say I experience this too. Its not loud like some people have described. Its almost inaudible. The harder I try to listen the more it seems to fade out. What struck me about your post was that you said it sounds like its coming from the ceiling or walls. That's exactly like mine! The odd thing is, one time I was talking to my Mom about it, and she said she hears it too. We both speculated about whether someone could actually be in the attic or walls listening to a radio, but decided it wasn't really possible. I kind of think maybe its a hearing thing.
Posted by holymama on July 18, 2004, at 15:36:02
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices?, posted by shadows721 on July 18, 2004, at 2:14:25
Hi shadows,
Wow, that is a realy interesting idea to write down what your voices say. I'm fascinated by the idea that the voices are trying to tell you something you have not become conscious of yet, like dreams may be doing. I'm going to try that; that is, if I start hearing them again.
I've never thought much about disassociation. I suppose I do it.
I'm intrigued by all of this.
Posted by SandyWeb on July 22, 2004, at 10:45:06
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » SandyWeb, posted by Elle2021 on July 18, 2004, at 3:37:13
Hi Elle,
How are you doing today?
Sandy
Posted by partlycloudy on July 22, 2004, at 17:14:07
In reply to Re: Have I been hearing voices? » Elle2021, posted by SandyWeb on July 22, 2004, at 10:45:06
She has decided to leave Babble :( , see further down on this board. Very sad and undoubtedly wise on her part.
(I wonder if she will lurk and read, though.)
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