a guide to voices and sensory disturbances
Hearing voices that are not actually present is a sign of thought processes that can feel very real. Hearing voices is often accompanied by other sensory disturbances: smell, touch, sight and taste, further reinforcing what a person hears. Although we often think of human voices, these voices could be other sounds, such as alarms, sirens or even crying.
In the early stages, it can be difficult for a person to understand. A person might try to make sense of the voices and feel they have no alternative but to pay attention to them while excluding everything else. This is a new experience that can be exhausting and frightening. Don’t be afraid of your voices, they can’t harm you.
Who hears these voices?
Hearing voices is a relatively common experience, with studies suggesting that 30% of people hear voices in a moment in time. While many people assume hearing voices is always a sign of mental illness, this isn’t true. Research shows that only about 1 in 4 people who hear voices are diagnosed with a mental health condition.
In fact, hearing voices can happen to anyone. It can occur during times of grief, extreme stress, trauma, severe sleep deprivation or after using certain substances. For some, it’s a temporary experience and not linked to any illness.
That said, hearing voices can also be a part of certain mental health conditions. Hearing voices is a core element of psychosis and schizophrenia, but can also occur in conditions such as bipolar, severe depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of stigma and misunderstanding around hearing voices. Many people feel judged or ashamed, which can make it harder to talk about or seek help.
What voices can tell you?
For some, these voices can be distressing, particularly when they are intrusive, critical or commanding. However, for others, hearing voices can be a neutral or even positive experience, providing comfort or guidance.
These voices can:
- Give you false beliefs
- Mix up what you think you believe
- Become overwhelming and disruptive
- Can confuse you
- Change their tone and content to bewilder you.
As a result, they may:
- Make relationships difficult with others
- Stop you from doing new things
- Encourage you to self-harm
- Tell you to move away from familiar surroundings
- Cause social isolation and loneliness.
Some voices are positive. They can:
- Provide support
- Be a form of companionship
- Be a source of helpful advice
- Act as a coping mechanism
- Be a source of creativity.
Sensory Disturbances
Hearing voices is not the only form of hallucinations people can experience. They can also take other sensory forms.
Smell
Everyday objects may not smell as they usually do. One of the more common hallucinations is the smell of burning. Some smells can be more pronounced or seem quite terrible. Approximately 17% of people experience these.
Touch
Solid objects may take on a different form or the sense of touch may be more personal. Members have described solid objects becoming flexible or experiencing the sensation of something touching them. Approximately 20% of people experience these.
Taste
Some food may taste different or medication may seem to have been tampered with. For some people, this may be supported by smell.
Sound
You may hear things out of the blue even when it really isn’t happening. Whether it’s an everyday sound or someone talking to you, these voices can either be distressing or helpful.
Sight
Words or images can appear to be distorted and images or colours can appear more pronounced. Sometimes everything can appear dirty – for example, it may seem that items are covered by a film of dust and grease. Approximately 21.5% of people experience these.
What can I do when I hear these voices?
Organise your thoughts
It is important to find your own way of managing these voices, but you might want to consider some distractions like:
- Reading
- Writing a safety plan
- Going for a walk
- Some workouts to boost your mood
- Listening to music.
You can make sense of your voices by building a profile:
- What do they say?
- What do the voices want from you?
- How do they relate to the experiences you’ve had?
- What are your triggers?
Writing down your thoughts can clear your mind and give you a fresh perspective on what the voices are saying. The problem is often more about how we relate to our voices than their presence.
Focus on mindfulness and breathing techniques
Think of your voices as experiences that are passing through your mind, which come and go over time. Through mindfulness, use them as an image and imagine what these voices say written on an object. Concentrate on breathing slowly and tune in to sensations in your physical body to connect with the present moment.
Talk about it
Keeping quiet about your voices will only reinforce your relationship with them – the more able you are to talk about them, the more control you will have over them. Let others who are close to you know what helps you manage the voices.
“Hearing Voices helps build my confidence, it helps me with the voices. I feel more appreciated and before it felt like I never had much to do and my mind was always rolling. This is a step forward.”
One of the participants of the Hearing Voices service talks about their experience with the service.
How can I support someone who is hearing voices?
Be honest, but reassuring
Say you cannot hear anything but acknowledge that the experience is real for the person. Consider that any dialogue you have with the person will be perceived as including the voices too. Although behaviour may appear irrational, there will be an underlying logic for the person that you can allow to go so far.
Be patient
It will take courage to disclose voices, so try to be patient. Keep in mind that the relationship between the hearer and their voices will be exclusive. It’s not that they don’t want to share their experience with you; rather, they might be afraid.
Support them in seeking support
Although it won’t be easy initially, try and persuade the person to seek medical support. Ask what helps and then you can begin to work together to challenge the voices.
literature
a guide to voices and sensory disturbances
Read our handy guide on voices and sensory disturbances, with information on how to support yourself and others when managing voices.
Reach out to communications@changemh.org if you want us to send you hard copies of this leaflet.
support
Our National Advice and Support Service can help you and people you care for with mental health concerns and money worries.
We can link and signpost you to relevant local and national support, including our own Change Mental Health services, as well supporting with debt, grants and benefits.
The service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Contact 0808 8010 515, email advice@changemh.org or fill in the form on the service webpage.
For full details about the service, visit the National Advice and Support Service webpage.
This resource was kindly put together by Hearing Voices service users in Fife, from people affected by psychosis and schizophrenia.
