Hearing voices?

Question

Most of the time, when you refer to someone heraing voices, it is linked to the voices telling them to do something, or just that the voices seem to be drowning out other sounds. I think that's schitzophrenia.

I have this thing where, even when I know I'm in a place where no one else is, I hear voices. However, it's not like they're clear, and they're not loud. It's more like a tv playing in another room, only I know there's no tv playing, there's no radio, there's no one else at home. There's not even the air conditioner, heater or fan blowing. I can't make out any words or anything, nor can I make out if it seems like there are more than one voice, or anything. Really, it's just like if someone down the hall had on a tv.

Should I go see my psychiatrist about this, or is there some level where this is normal, so long as it doesn't interfere with everyday life?

To answer some questions:

No, I don't really think there are personalities or anything, and I don't attempt to talk back to them. I just go through the house to make sure tv's are all turned off.

I live in an apartment right now, but I lived in a house before that, and the house was in the middle of NOWHERE, and that's when I first noticed it happening. I will admit that there are times I'm certain it's the neighbors, but I don't think that's the problem other times.

Tammy, that may be the least helpful answer EVER.

Thank you to those of you who have answered in an intelligent way, not assuming I do drugs, I'm in touch with the other realm, or I chat with puppies.

Answer 1

I hear voices as well and I would advise you to see a doctor. Even if you feel like everything is ok, your perception may not be right.

Besides, I don't know about you, but I have a hard time concentrating on anything when there is all kinds of babbling and nonsense going on in my head.

Answer 2

Don't waste money on a doctor, first of all.

I used to experiance the same thing.
My sister claims it was other people in my apartment building, but I KNOW it wasn't, because I also always know when the TV in the other room is on and when it isn't, and when other people are watching television.
I would hear different things. Once, I heard someone crying. Another time I heard someone shush me. Another time I heard a man and woman's voice. And sometimes I'd hear music. I've heard circus music, and someone singing. I'd actually just sit there and listen. It was scary, especially since I was in third grade. That was four years ago. It lasted for about a year, and still it happens to me every once and a while. And I know for a fact it was no radio or TV or other people. It sounded faint and far away, yet I could hear it perfectly, and I could only make out a few words.
So, yeah, that's my story. As for normal, I have no idea what to think of it. But I know it happened, and I know what I heard. It wasn't anyone else. But it was definitely odd.

Answer 3

I think we all hear voice.... it is called self talk... i guess it becomes a problem when you don't recognize that these are your voices in your mind or you start answering the voices.


Schizophrenia

Diagnostic Criteria
Characteristic symptoms: Two (or more) of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a 1-month period (or less if successfully treated):


delusions
hallucinations
disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)
grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
negative symptoms (i.e., affective flattening, alogia, or avolition)
Note: Only one Criterion A symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.

Social/occupational dysfunction: For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational achievement).


Duration: Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least 6 months. This 6-month period must include at least 1 month of symptoms (or less if successfully treated) that meet Criterion A (i.e., active-phase symptoms) and may include periods of prodromal or residual symptoms. During these prodromal or residual periods, the signs of the disturbance may be manifested by only negative symptoms or two or more symptoms listed in Criterion A present in an attenuated form (e.g., odd beliefs, unusual perceptual experiences).


Schizoaffective and Mood Disorder exclusion: Schizoaffective Disorder and Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features have been ruled out because either (1) no Major Depressive Episode, Manic Episode, or Mixed Episode have occurred concurrently with the active-phase symptoms; or (2) if mood episodes have occurred during active-phase symptoms, their total duration has been brief relative to the duration of the active and residual periods.


Substance/general medical condition exclusion: The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.


Relationship to a Pervasive Developmental Disorder: If there is a history of Autistic Disorder or another Pervasive Developmental Disorder, the additional diagnosis of Schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present for at least a month (or less if successfully treated).

Answer 4

Let me ask you this: when you hear the voices, do you KNOW there's nothing really there, or do you think someone is actually talking?

The answer to my question should give you a pretty good idea about yourself. If you're SURE that it's your imagination and nobody is actually talking then you're not insane.

However, talking to a doctor would be a GREAT idea. If it's something going on in ur head, they can take steps to get the problem under control. Good luck!

Answer 5

I think that you are just very receptive or perceptive to the other realm. I also hear this at times, especially if I focus on it., like laying in bed at night. I can never make out exact words, it just sounds like a loud crowd of people. I am sure that you do not need to see a psychiatrist! Stay open minded and the free spirit that you are!

Answer 6

I can understand you.

I hear voices sometimes and I do talk to myself. I can talk to myself for hours or joining a conversation of voices no way to be found. Sometimes my dog talks to me and I answer back. I don't think im crazy perhaps it's just out of the norm. This does not bother me with everyday life. I still wake up in the morning and go to work and have a social life. Maybe it's a ghost but I'm not afraid of it.

Answer 7

I have bipolar and sometimes I hear voices as well. I am on medication for this disorder or I even see colors too but that should not make you "crazy". People say we are crazy but they don't know what we are going through. here is a site that may help you to understand this term :hearing voices"

Answer 8

you don't say if you live in an apartment or if your in a house or how close are your neighbors are but you may be hearing your neighbors or it could be ghosts in your house or it may be all in your head does this only happen at home? if it happens every were i would go to the doctor but if its just at home i would think it was one of the things i said above.

Answer 9

"Hearing voices" refers to hearing a voice that SOUNDS like it's coming from outside your head. Not the little voices in your head that constitute your thoughts. And yeah, that's one of the classic symptoms of schizophrenia.

It sounds like you have a sound anomaly in your ear. It's actually pretty common to hear things that don't really exist - for example, I hear a high pitched buzzing almost constantly. It sounds like a mechanical whine. Yours is obviously different than mine, but it's probably the same basic anomaly.

Answer 10

Get enough rest and eat 3 square meals daily, you'll feel better. If you think you hear voices, just don't pay attention to it. you may wind up turning into a psychotic if you don't. Good enough, yes?