Hearing Voices

[Lauren214]

I was diagnosed with PTSD over a year ago and stopped seeing my therapist. I recently have been under a lot of stress and scheduled an appointment with her this coming month. Im worried though, I have been hearing these voices in my head. Each of them there's 2 have different opinions. Sometimes its Suicidal Idealization sometimes its should I eat or not or should I do this or not. It doesn't give me a choice one side says don't eat the other side says but you have to ignore him and eat. The more stressed I am it turns from conversations to Arguments. Like people are screaming in my head. I don't want to tell my therapist for fear of a "crazy" person diagnosis. I do notice though that I now leave my radio on 24/7 because this keeps the voices quiet most of the night. Is anyone else having this problem?

 

[71nothing]

I have similar experiences however I don't know that I'd call it hearing voices. I also remind myself that although it seems like hearing voices I am very aware that they aren't voices in the sense of hallucinations but rather my own intrusive thoughts being narrated by my own brain.

It's more like I hear my own brain arguing with itself. "You have to eat," "no you aren't allowed." The eating thing is constant lately.

My brain also argues with itself over other things. "Take this route home," "no! Take this route!" Or "send the kids to school!" "No. sending them to school isnt safe today. keep them home!" This is followed by a feeling of imminent danger no matter what choice I choose.

I understand your fear. I too have been afraid of being labeled "crazy" and was actually misdiagnosed as schizophrenic many years ago but am now being accurately treated for PTSD and OCD.

I'm glad you have an appointment set up. It's a very difficult thing to live with the constant arguing in your head.

 

[roaminggnome]

I understand where you are coming from. But perhaps if you call the therapist and let him/her know that you are hearing voices then maybe there could be an earlier appointment. Letting him/her know what the voices are telling you is important. I had to come to terms with the fact that I was hearing voices and to let others know in order to get the help I needed. For me it was a matter of an increase in medication that made the latest voice go away. I know how distracting the voices can be. Please call your therapist or doctor and let them know what is going on. They are there to help. And believe me they have heard it all before. Please hang in there.

 

[Flyaway]

Do you feel very divided over simple decisions all the time? Like you just can't make up your mind? I was feeling this way - and it was actually my naturopath who told me (after hair and blood tests) that my body was lacking certain nutrients and vitamins necessary to keep my sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system balanced. Its fixed now - just needed a strict diet and supplements. Maybe you could look into this? hope it helps!

 

[Lauren214]

Sometimes the voices like last night they were arguing about self harm. I have no need to be stressed right now but I find the more stressed I actually am the meaner the thoughts get sometimes.

@Flyaway I will definitely look into the vitamin/nutrient deficiency.

@roaminggnome I would love a sooner appointment but I fear telling my therapist any other way then in person.

 

[Abstract]

Lauren, do you actually physically hear the voices? You say they are inside your head not outside it?

My experiences are very similar to 71 Nothing. It is absolutely exhausting and frustrating. Unfortunately extremely strong whenever it comes to getting treatment or facing trauma or even my diagnoses.

Do you experience a lot of depersonalisation?

 

[roaminggnome]

@Lauren214 I understand about wanting to tell your therapist in person about the voices but maybe it would be easier over the phone. I tend to just blurt things out so it was easier over the phone for me then I didn't have to deal with a face to face reaction. Once you tell it once it gets easier. I just met with a new psychiatrist and it was the first thing I told her and she was totally calm with it. So I've told it in person and on the phone. I just hope you get your message across whatever way possible and most comfortable for you. I hate to see you suffer in the meantime.

 

[cavy]

Hi I have been experiencing this for a long time. I too have them arguing over things, sometimes they are self berating. I know they are inside my head cos the 6 year old keeps asking "where's my Mummy" which ties in with my past.
I've been in therapy for a while now & it was only through working with her that I have gained insight

 

[cavy]

The voices just pop into my head without warning. Like being interupted when you are talking to someone. It's exhausting, annoying & I never asked to be a school teacher who has to take charge of a class of unruly kids!!:eek: As to approaching it with your therapist what has worked for me when I need do disclose something which is difficult to talk about I write it down beforehand & hand it to the therapist who then reads it. I always feel really uncomfortable at this point but it has always worked for me.

 

[Flyaway]

Hi cavy, make sure you don't ignore your younger self... This might help:
https://www.myptsd.com/threads/i-have-nightmares-almost-every-night.36405/#post-589318

 

[cavy]

Thankyou Flyaway, that is exactly what I have learnt to do. Accepting them was difficult cos at the time I was in denial.
Now I reassure them all that they are safe & that I can control the situation.
They are all bits of me frozen in their respective times when the abuse occurred. It is hard work but also worth it.

 

[Flyaway]

I understand COMPLETELY!!!