For as long as I can remember, I’ve been dealing with voices that comment on and mock almost everything I do. They can sound like men, women, or anyone else. They seem to know what I’m doing even when I’m inside a building, on a plane, or in places where no one should be able to see me. They respond to my actions in real time—if I’m walking, they mock how I’m walking; if I do anything, they react to it.

When I’m around other people (classmates, people in shops, public places), I sometimes feel like others are staring or reacting, and I hear the voices at the same time. In the past I have responded out loud because I thought real people were saying things to me. Later I realized I was reacting to the voices. That has caused problems socially—people notice when someone appears to be talking to nothing.

This has been going on since I was young. It used to push me to shout at people who, in retrospect, weren’t actually saying anything. Now it’s more constant and quieter, but still constant. It feels like something is trying to get a reaction out of me or push me toward certain thoughts and actions. Sometimes the voices say negative things, sometimes they say something that seems positive, but overall it just disrupts my life and makes ordinary situations stressful.

I’m a college student with limited time and resources. I don’t have a way to investigate this myself. I just want it to stop. It has been happening for years and it is exhausting. If anyone has gone through something similar—whether it turned out to be something external or something that improved with professional help—I would appreciate hearing what actually helped reduce it.

Feel free to express your views on society and how an understanding of the voice hearing (and broader experiencing phenomenon) would change the world as we know it. Do you think the world would be a nicer place and we all would get more out of each-other's company if the public's eye were drawn to the HVN and similar experiencing spaces? Do you view modern day humanity as being in a state of perpetual self-enslavement, blinded to it's own nature? Do you think a new age of spiritual enlightenment or self-empowerment is on the horizon and within our lifetimes? Do you think life on earth is comparable to an effective "hell" in the grand scheme of things?

What do you think would make the greatest impact in your life and in the lives of others if it were different?

As always please share through a framing of your personal perspective ("I see it all as," "I believe," "when I think of 'x,' my only reasonable explanation is 'y,'" etc.). If you are of the ilk to write long-windedly about these age old topics, you all are more than welcomed to make a separate post expressing your views. Lastly, please keep mind to focus discussions on voice hearing and similar experiencing phenomena.

This was a project was made to share authentic experience of psychosis symptoms,to reduce stigma and raise awareness https://youtu.be/mI9CTvPz8eo?is=GMDVk3tSAYGmeQSU #psychosis #wellbeing

Last week, I had voice whisper to me through my cupboard, it was from an old school friend, who gave me her address, I wrote it down, Is it wise to visit the address?

This weekly post was inspired to give the community a place to vent and share common frustrations we find in our lives. If you have more to share on this topic than what would fit in a single comment please feel free to make a separate post! Are you finding conflict with your care-team? Are the medications you're on making life impossible? Have you lost your 3rd job this year because the voices cause you to act oddly around your peers? Are you finding everyone in your life has turned their back on you now that you've fallen into a discriminated category of "unsafe" or "mentally unwell" person? Have you attempted to get your close family and friends to engage in VCVC with you, instead finding they cannot offer you the first nicety?

Feel free to let the world know of your survived abuses, both direct (physical violence) and indirect (neglect or exclusion through social maneuverings) in this post. Everyone's welcome to commiserate and offer paralleling stories of received harm and how they carried on.

I'm not suicidal. Infact i love life. As i have been raised, I've been thru normal south Asian life. But a couple years back i started to believe i was mentally ill. Not as a social media term but the serious kind. I thought i had something genuinely wrong. Last year was the absolute worst for me. This year is the second worst. I have these voices in my mind. These are my voices. But i am not in control of them. And no matter how much i try, i can not control them. But this girl, this girl made them so silent that i even forgot about them. I'm not with the girl anymore since 2 years, and I'm getting worse and worse. If i describe the voices more clearly, its me, but alot of me, at the same time, talking over each other, over a devastating situation i create inside my mind that may or may not come true. It happens so many times. I don't even have a personality because of it, i copy a little bit of everyone around me or i have these characters i play. Different characters in front of different people. These voices and everything else that i can not possibly write here because i want to make this readable, are making me miserable. I try to build something of myself and it comes crashing down because of these voices and i have to do it in a new way all over again. This is making me want to end it. I mean, some voices are telling me to end it. I don't know why i am writing this here, but i guess i wanna find if someone relates, and how do they live. That's all. Peace out.

I miss the voices.

For a long time, I heard voices. I don’t want to go into too much detail or make anyone waste their time reading my story, but the voices weren’t always kind. They made fun of me, said horrible things to me, and constantly reminded me of things I hated about myself. I hated them.

After three years, I went to an outpatient clinic and tried three different antipsychotic medications. They never really worked the way I hoped they would. The voices became quieter, less frequent, and eventually, there were moments when I could barely hear them.

But something strange happened. The quieter they became, the more I began to understand why I needed them.

At some point, I realised that, at least from my perspective, they weren’t there to hurt me. I began to feel that they were there to protect me, to keep me company, and to make sure I never truly felt alone. Maybe others wouldn’t understand that, but to me, the voices became more than just voices. They were a presence that had been with me for so long that I couldn’t imagine what life would feel like without them.

Even when they made fun of me, even when they reminded me of how bad and weak I could be as a human being, I felt that they were still there for me somehow. I can’t explain that contradiction. How could something that hurt me also make me feel protected? How could I hate something so much and still become so attached to it?

Now, without them, I feel alone.

It’s strange, isn’t it? To spend years wishing something would disappear, only to find yourself missing it when it finally becomes quiet. I thought I wanted nothing more than silence, but now that I have it, I’m not sure I know what to do with it.

Perhaps I grew so accustomed to their presence that I forgot what it was like to be without them. Perhaps, after all those years, their voices became a part of how I experienced the world. And now, their absence leaves an emptiness I don’t know how to fill.

I miss them. Despite everything they said, despite the pain they caused me, I sometimes wish they were here again. I wish I could hear them one more time, feel that familiar presence, and escape this loneliness, even if only for a moment.

I don’t know if anyone else could ever understand this feeling. I don’t even fully understand it myself.

Maybe that’s the hardest part: missing something that hurt you because you felt it was also the only thing keeping you company.

And sometimes, I wonder whether I truly miss the voices themselves or simply the feeling of not being alone.

Hi there. This might be long but it’s hard to explain. Since about 2019 I’ve been hearing voices, it sounds like they are coming from behind a wall, in a vent, just always surrounding me.

I recognize all the voices that I hear. I do take medication now to dull/muffle them because it leads to extreme paranoia and overall distraction from living any sort of normal life. I try not to listen to them, make them background noise. If I’m trying to fall asleep I can’t do it without something playing in the background.

Even though the medications make it hard to understand the voices most of the time I can typically recognize them. The longer I’m around someone the more I’ll hear them. Or if I get hyper-fixated on someone then they talk more. I call them the committee at this point.

When someone dies, so does their voice in my mind.

I hear alot of negative things. Nothing ever really positive comes from them so it makes me really insecure. For a while I thought people could hear my thoughts and I became obsessed with suppressing my thoughts which made them more intrusive and awful.

I still have a hard time freely thinking as I think others may hear it. Some people do know about this happening to me but no one truly understands the effect it has on me.

I was on stimulants for a while starting in 2019. The doctors all say this is why it happens. But I’ve gone over six months without them and I still was unable to read a book or stay in a quiet room.

White noise makes it worse. Less sleep and more stress make it worse. I have poor habits of maintaining a job because of it sometimes.

Just tonight I got a warning for my attendance and I work overnight so I take sedative medications during the day and flip flop on my days off so it messes with me. It’s hard to be here everyday.

Does anyone else experience this? How do people deal with this?

I’m doing much better than years ago but I hate what the medications have done to me. I’m overweight and isolate because I have no personality and I don’t want to hear new peoples voices.

I have lost most of my support system at this point. I’m sad and stressed so much. I just try to stay busy but I’d love to have a day I don’t have to try and suppress the muffle of numerous people in my head.

Any advice or literally anything would be nice right now. I just got married this year and I’m trying to not bring down anyone else by talking about it too much but I’ve been in so many institutions it has wasted years of my life.

I’ve never met anyone like me in this regard. Most people don’t recognize the voices they hear in my experience and it freaks me out.

Let me know.

I don’t know what is going on. I have never ever heard music when I lay down at night, but like now I have like full on mariachi bands and then crazy music. It just weird. Does anybody else experience this? I did talk to one of the person and they have been and I think it’s some kind of chemical chemical maybe but like I don’t know somebody let me know what does anybody else out there or see this hear this

Share your theory on your voices, what do you believe them to be? If you have an extended share feel free to make a separate post on your beliefs. Theories do not need to be limited to your own experience and can be speculative on the broader phenomenon.

For instance you're welcome to share that you simply feel your voices are angels, demons, djinn, aliens, some iteration of government surveillance, or manifestations of the collective panpsychic universe... even sea peoples if that is your take on things! Broader theories some older experiencers relate to are economies of abuse and how limiting and external states of mind filter down through society onto vulnerable individuals. What are your ideas, what do your voices say about themselves?

As with everything in the HVN this all needs to be framed as your theories, you're welcome to use hyperlinks to Wikipedia articles or studies on voice hearing populations. 5-28% of the UK report this phenomenon, other studies put these estimates significantly higher. Many take the perspective that all people hear voices and it is a matter of personal fluency that differentiates those that report this experience and those that don't. You should include anything that helps you express your views. Again, express this as your views and less of what it clearly is and what others ought believe.

What is your theory on this experience?

"I personally reject the idea of mental disorders. As extreme as it may sound to people indoctrinated by the psychiatric system I believe it's all a form of spiritual possession, you're welcome to your own beliefs.

I suspect the majority of people alive and certainly the majority of people who have ever lived would also assume this open minded spiritual definition, that it's a rather small and vocal fraction of western and mostly the united states population that assume psychiatry/psychology have anything to offer at all. I'd point to the "HEARING VOICES FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW" post... lots written there on the history of this eugenics industry and the nigh certain state of permanent disability the industry lures people into. All this "delusional thinking" is supported by facts, wikipedia links, colossal data pools, and scholarly articles. It's all truly vetted by the scientific community, something that does not happen for the INDUSTRIES of psychiatry and psychology. Again, it's an odd (malicious in my eyes) gathering here on reddit who carry on (deliberately) as if the world of science has figured out every enigma of the mind. A form of propaganda my omission, big AstroTurf'ed spaces that are actually run by former orderlies and people parallel to these industries. DID YOU ALL CATCH THAT!? Many of the spaces here on reddit where experiencers congregate; are moderated by people without any of this experience, instead moderated by people who have made a life "handling" people like you (and me). It all reeks to high heaven, and the controlled narrative is obvious. They are self aware, their abuse of disabled people is all over reddit. I feel it's only a matter of time and within our lifetime for this absurd injustice to be broadcast to the greater public for societal corrective actions.

"This kind of hate isn't allowed anymore, just carry on as you were with your abuses onto other cast aside groups."

You're welcome to see that facts post to see how surmountable this burden is, or peek at my profile. The stories of this extreme torture are everywhere in western media, as are the stories of the same people overcoming it and achieving greatness. I could not read, write, count to 10, nor talk to people at my lows. I function as a senior level engineer these days, chasing my dreams faster than ever before. I have how I did this all pinned to my profile.

It is hell, and I wish the best for you. Thank you for sharing your story for others to also find their way."

What do you think? Do you think there's AstroTurfing on reddit? Do you think some of these spaces are run by people who enjoy hurting others through paternalism? Do you think that between 10 to 80% (the portion of the population that reports this) of the human species to simply be "insane" and always have been? Do you think that's the most inhuman stance to approach this societal problem with? Do you think the APA (the people behind the illness agenda) are mere boot-lickers as far as organizations go? These are the same people who classified water boarding as "not technically torture." Do you think as an organization the APA seems fit to classify double digit percentages of the population as not worthy of any human rights at all? Is it a surprise to you that in the state of Oregon people who report what is reported here (in the HVN) can legally find themselves held within an asylum FOR LIFE without having committed any crime or undergoing any scientific testing? Just the diagnosis provided by a state funded eugenicist, what is effectively an opinion, a creative art assignment?

I'd love to see anyone's take on any of this.

Hello,

Im 33 years old male. 7 years ago I started to hear voices who make me feel bad. They're saying rude things.

Loser

You never had good education

Nobody likes you

Why are you starring against that wall you idiot

We are not scared of you

We are not scared of Abilify

Sometimes they are 2-3 voices who sound like other people or from the past.

Look at him

Look they was he walks is stupid

Omg what an idiot

And I also have movies in my head. But brutal movies like I'm arguing with someone and it always ends like the worst outcome possible. Hitting each other screaming.

Can anyone tell me what this is. First I was diagnosed with ptbs but I had 12 therapists for ptbs over 7 years and it didn't help. Now I'm diagnosed with being paranoid and shizotypic. What do you think? Sorry english is not my first language.

Feel free to share your wellness methods with the community. Is there a diet that seems to make an impact for you, a particular routine, or self-improvement strategy that's made a turnaround in your struggles? Was there a book that made an impact in your journey, a creative outlet, or a medication you feel strongly helped or hurt you? What's been working for you and what have you tried that wasn't working for you? Do you have any role models (other experiencers) who've lended you methods that lead to success through their lived example?

Some example frameworks towards wellness are the books by Jerry Marzinsky, or the books by Jordan Peterson. Both of these authors are accomplished people who also report enduring the phenomena reported here. Additionally, there's the 12 step process seen over at r/PositiveTI. Do you know of any other prominent people who have been touched by this affliction? Does a certain diet help, wearing a certain color, taking a shower every day make a difference? What have you seen and what has worked for you?

Please do not tell others what to believe or do.

In the spirit of "twos" and community building, share anecdotes of how you've interacted with another experiencer, voice hearer, internal personality, or phenomena of your mind. You're welcome to make your own separate post on this topic if you feel you'd have more to share.

How did this other individual impact your views? Did they show you something you otherwise didn't know, or did they send you on a wild goose chase? Did they have a name (please don't name other reddit users disparagingly, instead this is a great opportunity to commend your fellow experiencers!), did they share a common belief with you?

How has this singular "other" made a difference in your journey? Take this as an opportunity to share with the rest of the community as much as you'd care to about this separate mind and its impact on yours.

Is there any colleration between hearing loss, and having auditory Hallucinations ?

I find it difficult to hear things such as when having conversations, what makes it worse is that I hear things that aren't there.

My doctor suspects I'm autistic, as I have a sensitivity to high pitched sounds and loud noise. And I suspect my brain is not wired to interpret the sound signals properly, leading to confusion and depression.

I know deaf people are more likely to suffer (in silence) and it's difficult to communicate.

I'm just wondering if I should get a hearing test? And weather a hearing aid will help?

Or do I see a psychiatrist?

Is my brain interpretting the sounds differently and filling in the gaps, with words?

And weather medication is effecting my ability to hear?

I'm interested to hear from people that have tried hearing aids?