Voices

Posted by rad1975 @rad1975, Jun 5, 2023

I've been able to somewhat not listen or act on all the voices I hear giving orders or making suggestions and threats of torment over the years with and without medication but I'm losing that ability I believe. Because they are more aggressive now and if I don't satisfy then all the more louder but if I do satisfy they only want to be satisfied more often. I don't want to harm myself anymore, I promised my wife and children I wouldn't do that again but it brings me into submission and control. Please give me some advice. I need friends who I can talk to.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Jun 5, 2023

@rad1975 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect where we support one another. I realize you did not ask for medical advice and I just want to reiterate that we aren’t medical professionals here.

I have been treated and lived with depression and anxiety for many years. I have not had the symptom you describe of hearing voices. At one point when I was very depressed I did have paranoid ideas that greatly affected my quality of life. When I saw a psychiatrist and got on medication the depression lifted and the paranoia went away. I was so ashamed of the paranoia that I never told anyone and this increased my depression and feelings of isolation. I never even told my doctor.

Hearing voices over the years and trying not to listen or suppress the voices is difficult and exhausting. Reaching out for help at Mayo Clinic Connect or hopefully within your own community where you live is significant. Trying to keep this all to yourself would be even more exhausting and can make a person feel very isolated.

A few questions. Are you working with a mental health professional such as a psychologist or clinical social worker? You wrote that you have taken medications in the past. Are you taking medications currently? If yes to that last question have you talked with your prescriber? I know it can be very difficult to get in to see a psychiatrist however these are the physicians that are the best choices for treatment of hearing voices. A psychiatric nurse practitioner can also be helpful. Do you have access to these specialities where you live?

Is there a local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) where you live? I live in a small rural area and we have meetings for people and their families to attend where they can find support.

Find Your Local Chapter of NAMI:

— https://www.nami.org/findsupport

There may be other members in this Support Group who have ideas, support and suggestions for you.

How are you feeling today?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jun 5, 2023

Hello @rad1975, I would like to add my welcome along with @naturegirl5 and others. My wife and I used to attend a support group associated with NAMI when our son was a teenager and struggling with his mental health and hearing voices. Finding a support group was extremely helpful for both of us and I think even more important for the patient. One of the families in our support group had a son the same age as our son and they became lifelong friends who still talk weekly. I hope you can also find a local support group or one that you can talk with online.

I'm not sure if you are aware of this organization but I think it might really be helpful and they offer online/telephone support groups.
--- Hearing Voices Network USA: http://www.hearingvoicesusa.org/

Also, you might find this website with articles and resource links helpful.
--- Articles & Websites: https://www.intervoiceonline.org/resources/articles-websites#content

Have you searched for any local support groups to see if one might be available?

rad1975 | @rad1975 | Jun 5, 2023

Thank you for the reply and the information I will definitely check into it I hope I'm replying back to everyone correctly I'm not sure completely how to work that site so if I miss anyone please forgive me