#Auditory hallucinations schizophrenia how to

Mind has more information about living with voices, including personal stories from people who hear voices. They have information on living with voices and offer workshops and events. Intervoice is an international network for people who hear voices. Hearing Voices Network provides information and support for people who hear voices who have other unusual sensory experiences.

They have a guide for employers who want to support people who hear voices in the workplace. Further information and resourcesĮducational Voice Hearing Network aims to improve understanding of what it’s like for people who hear voices. It may help to set goals around these activities and to reward yourself for working towards them. This can include things like eating a healthy diet, finding ways to stay physically active, managing stress or spending time outdoors. Though it can be difficult, it is important to look after and be kind to yourself. Others are online, such as the Intervoice forum, Voice Collective forum and Mind’s Side by Side community. Some groups are in person such as the ones listed on the Hearing Voices Network website. Peer support groups can provide a non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, accepted and less alone. There can be a stigma around hearing voices which can make it hard to talk about them, even to friends or family. You could try listening to music or an audiobook, keeping up with hobbies or doing something creative such as writing or painting. Keeping busy can distract you from the voices, help you express yourself and feel more relaxed and allow you to meet new people. Talking therapy can help you with this, as it can be difficult on your own. Some people find that standing up to the voices, choosing when to pay attention to them and when to ignore them, and focusing on voices that are more positive can help them feel more in control. This may help you to notice patterns of what makes you feel bad, what makes you feel good, or what triggers your voices. You could note what they say, how they make you feel and how you manage them. This could include keeping a diary of your voices. Understanding how your voices relate to your life may help you to manage their voices. Changing your relationship can make you feel differently about them. Sometimes, voices are a problem because of your relationship with them. Rethink has more information about the treatment you may be offered. You may also be offered family intervention (where support is provided to both you and your family), art or creative therapy, or therapy for experiences of trauma. You may only need medication for a short time while you learn other techniques to manage the voices This may stop the voices, make them quieter or make you feel less concerned by them. medication, most likely an antipsychotic drug.It can also help you stand up to them if they’re critical or negative

#Auditory hallucinations schizophrenia how to

CBT can help you learn what triggers your voices and how to manage them.

talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

If your voices are the result of a mental health condition, you may be offered: They will usually check for any physical reasons you could be hearing voices before diagnosing you with a mental health condition or referring you to a psychiatrist. If you’re hearing voices, talk to your GP.

mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression.

taking recreational drugs, or as a side-effect of prescribed drugs.

traumatic life experiences, which may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder.

It’s common to think that hearing voices must be the sign of a mental health condition, but in fact many people who are not mentally unwell hear voices. You may feel differently about your voices at different times in your life. However, for some people the voices may be neutral or more positive. They may say hurtful or frightening things. Sometimes hearing voices can be upsetting or distressing. The voices can vary in how often you hear them, what they sound like, what they say, and whether they’re familiar or unfamiliar. What’s it like to hear voices?Įveryone’s experience of hearing voices is different. Whatever your experience, you’re not alone. Some people have other hallucinations, such as seeing, smelling, tasting or feeling things that don’t exist outside their mind.

Hearing voices is sometimes called an ‘auditory hallucination’. Hearing voices is actually quite a common experience: around one in ten of us will experience it at some point in our lives. While hearing voices can be a symptom of some mental health problems, not everyone who hears voices has a mental illness.