What should I do when I hear voices?

Question

I hear voices that tell me to "remove the offending material". These are direct instructions to kill myself. I am absolutely certain of this.This condition is getting worse and worse. I go for days without sleep. I live in a rural area, 45 miles from the nearest hospital. I do not have medical insurance or my own doctor. I'm starting to get concerned because I do have several guns in the house (I live alone). I don't really have any friends. I don't really want to kill myself, but I am afraid I will be forced to. Forget calling the suicide hotline. They are complete idiots. Perhaps someone here has an idea?

Answer 1

Check you self in to the nearest mental hospital. I am not saying this because I am rude or obnoctious but you need help and this is not the place to get if you are asking these questions though it is a good sign that you know that you need help. Just go check your self in as soon as possible.

Answer 2

Hi there hun

It always saddens me to read things like this, and having been through the same thing, and my husband attempting suicide manyt imes in the past- I can completely empathis with you.

I also dispair at the medical help you get in America- it is utterly disgusting, so I will try to advise you best I can, but being in the UK this may mean I give you advise you cannot directly use.

The voices are not real. You need to firstly establish this. They are formed by your own insecurities. It's great that you are able to acknowledge that this is a problem and that you want to deal with it. I can't believe you have a hospital so far away, thats so bad, but I suggest you telephone the emergency services and tell them that you have guns in the house and it is likely you will use them to kill yourself. Be adamant that they come and collect you.

Presumably, when you get there, as they do here in UK, you will be given a risk assesmment and a psych test. It is possible that they will decide to keep you in the mental health ward- if they don't, you must commit yourself. I rarely recommend this, but as you are alone and dont have anyone to support you- this may be the best option.

If you don't want to stay in hospital, then you need to get rid of the guns, I don't know why you have guns in your house as all they do is kill, and I know they're not illegal in US, but you don't need them so get rid of them- sell them or something. This will get rid of the temptaion. ALternatively, lock the guns in a box, lock the key to this box somewhere else- make a series of locks so that should the urge to kill yourself become too great- you would have to go through a long process to get to theguns. Psychologically this should put you off. Also, call the ambulance.

Try to get some medication from your doctors/hospital, there are plenty out there that can deal with voices. Prozac will help you- I use risperadon which is an anti-psychotic and it has really helped me.

Good luck, and if you need any help you can always contact me.

Answer 3

I do not have any ideas, however... can you locate the nature of the voices?
When did they start? How ofter do you hear them?
Why do you interpret the "remove the offending material" as instructions and particularly as "direct"? Although English is not my mother tongue, I could never interpret this, the way you do.
Why are you afraid that you will be forced to kill yourself? It's you who decides whether to pull the trigger or not, aren't you? So, don't do it! Perhaps you are under stress for some reason -even because you feel all alone-, this is a reaction, a cry of your self to get attention, to get communication...
Why don't you try to have friends? If meeting people is not easy because of the distance, why don't you try friends on-line?
Talking things out, usually helps a lot.

Answer 4

Its going to be okay... My mom is pysczophrenic... she also was like you... but she got on some meds and is perfectly fine now. You should move closer to the city so you can have more friends and be closer to the hospital just in case the urge takes over. You should sell the guns and move to a city thats close by.

There are all sorts of programs that let you connect with other people suffering from the same illnesses as you, you are not alone, this is very serious and you need emotional support you cant do it alone, so maybe you can get connected by living closer to ppl who can help you. Be strong and make that change... the voices will stop if you want them to. Medication can make them go away.

Answer 5

Hi !!

Why take what you are hearing as a negative thing?
Maybe its telling you to remove the guns or maybe something that is harming you in your life? If you keep thinking about it too much u will lose sleep and maybe that is making the voises worse.... Have a positive attitute, otherwise what's the point in anything. Live life each day like there is a meaning.
Smile often k, try not to stress too much..
Im sure there is someone or something out there that u mean a lot to, try for them.

:)

Answer 6

Why are yopu so sure you are the offending material?
Maybe the offending material is the guns.
Been a lot of responses to this already so you are not really alone are you?
But it does sound like you need some face-to-face with someone trained to help.
Are there any community based psych clinics that could help?
Reach out NOW. Good luck

Answer 7

Ralph the voices are not real they are just thoughts that you have and cant translate properly ,you said it your self you don't want to hurt yourself ,
so when the voice starts up at you just sit calm and think why should you listen to something that isn't going to help you . your far to important to listen to a stupid voice that has nothing constructive to give you .Its you that is in control and the you are strong enough to block out this interference in your life... take the guns to a neighbor and ask them to lock them up until you get control of your situation . Be strong life is precious and you know that you like being around so if you can go to the city find free help there must be some sort of medical group that can offer assistance , to you . remember its nothing you cant cover with a little healthy assistance

Answer 8

If you feel close to killing yourself, go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital right away, even if it is 45 minutes away and tell them you are feeling suicidal. Also tell your Doctor how you are feeling right away. You won't need insurance to have suicidal impulses treated. They will be treated for free under a program. The hospital will know or your family doctor will know. If neither of these don't know how to get into the free program ask to see the hospital's social worker, he or she will know what resources are available now. However, I would encourage you to seek help as soon as possible.

Answer 9

First - get rid of all the guns.
Second - speak with a friend. Someone you trust. Just talk for a while.
Third - EVERY hosp in the U.S has some form of finacial assistance. (Free Care) It is mandated by Fed law that they have to offer it. In many hospitals just having it is enough to say they offered it to you. You will have to ask about it. Many mental health clinics have a sliding fee scale.
I know you may not like the idea of taking free help but - it's better than killing yourself right?

Answer 10

Almost every city has Mental Health Services. Its a place were people without insurance can go to seek help. I went to one to get anti-depressants and its allfree. the counseling, the meds. It had a positive impact on me. You would go once a month for about an hour to tell your dr. how your meds. were working, and if they werent doing the job theyd put you on something else. You dont have to live in fear. Please one near you. My cousin committed suicide and its horrible.. theres not a day that goes by that at one point im consumed by the thoughts of the day he took his life. let me know how youre doing