What does It Mean To Hear Voices?
Hearing voices typically refers to verbal auditory hallucinations. However, it can also refer to a symptom of Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Hearing voices can be a difficult experience to understand if you have never experienced it yourself, and the experience isn't necessarily the same for everyone.
Some common features of hearing voices include:
- Hearing your name bing called
- Hearing voices as though a television is on nearby
- Hearing a voice as though someone is standing behind you or speaking over your shoulder
- Hearing negative or aggressive comments or taunting
- Hearing paranoid comments or taunts
- Hearing voices discussing you or narrating what you are doing (e.g. "she is opening the door", "he is reading a book", etc.)
- Hearing positive and encouraging comments or compliments
- Hearing voices that command you to do things such as hurt yourself
Why Do Some People Hear Voices?
People of all ages may experience hearing voices for many reasons including:
- Schizophrenia: Auditory hallucinations are a common symptom of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.
- Bipolar Disorder: In cases of bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms, episodes of mania or depression may trigger auditory hallucinations.
- Psychotic depression: Severe cases of major depressive disorder (MDD) may include psychotic symptoms (this is known as psychotic depression), including auditory hallucinations.
- Trauma (especially childhood abuse): Childhood trauma is a common cause of hearing voices. Additionally, trauma disorders (such acute stress disorder or PTSD) can cause transient psychotic symptoms.
- Dissociative identity disorder (DID) and OSDD-1: People with DID/OSDD-1 may experience hearing the voices of their alters/parts. This can occur as a dissociative symptom or as a hallucination.
- Stress: Extreme stress may cause mild and transient psychotic symptoms, especially when accompanied by lack of sleep or a history of mental illness. These should diminish with rest.
- Lack of sleep: Severe exhaustion can trigger psychosis, including auditory hallucinations. These should diminish with sleep.
- Dementia: Some cases of dementia include psychosis, such as paranoid ideation and auditory hallucinations.
- Drug-Induced Symptoms: If auditory hallucinations have been triggered by drugs or alcohol, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible.
What Should I do If I'm Hearing Voices?
What should I do?
Hearing voices can be a frightening experience especially if it is new to you. If you are hearing voices, you should consult with a therapist or doctor about potential causes.
In the meantime, some things that may help include:
- Confide in a trusted friend or family member.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Create background noise. Some people find that listening to music, turning on the television, or keeping a fan on can create enough distraction to drown out the voices. (Others, however, may find that this exacerbates the problem. If this occurs, stop immediately).
- Keep stress levels at a minimum.
- Keep a journal. Record when you hear voices, what you were doing at the time, and how you were feeling.
It is vital to seek immediate emergency treatment if:
- The symptoms have been brought on by drugs or alcohol.
- The symptoms are a side effect of a medication you are taking.
- The onset of symptoms was overwhelmingly severe and sudden.
- The symptoms are accompanied by visual hallucinations or paranoid ideation.
- The symptoms prevent basic functioning.
- You fear you may put yourself or others in danger.
What Should I Do If My Child Is Hearing Voices?
What can I do for my child?
If a young child reports hearing voices, it may be difficult to tell whether this is a mental health concern or the result of a child's imagination. If your child reports hearing voices, it is important to ask them about the experience. If your child seems to be experiencing hallucinations or is greatly distressed by the experience, you should consult with a therapist specializing in children.
Questions to ask your child that may help include:
- What do the voices say?
- Do you recognize the voices? Do they sound like someone you know?
- How do they make you feel?
- Can you draw them?
- When do you hear them? Before bed? At school/daycare?
Older children and teenagers
If an older child or teenager reports hearing voices, it is unlikely to be caused simply by their imagination. If your child reports this, it is important to consult a therapist.
Questions to ask that may help include:
- How many voices do you hear?
- What do they say?
- Do you recognize any of the voices? Do they sound like someone you know?
- How does this make you feel?
- Do you think you might be experiencing a mental health problem such as depression or anxiety?
- When do you usually hear voices?
- Have you ever used drugs or alcohol? If so, how frequently?
Talking to Your Child About Hearing Voices
It is helpful to note that some people feel ashamed of hearing voices and find the experience traumatic. Because of this, it is important to be patient when discussing the experience with your child and not to pressure them into sharing information until they are ready. It is also important, however, to get them the proper assessment and professional help they need.
It is vital to seek immediate emergency treatment if:
- The symptoms have been brought on by drugs or alcohol.
- The symptoms are a side effect of a medication they are taking.
- The onset of symptoms was overwhelmingly severe and sudden.
- The symptoms are accompanied by visual hallucinations or paranoid ideation.
- The symptoms prevent basic functioning or prevent them from being around other children.
- You worry that your child is a danger to themself.