I don’t know what’s going on. I keep on hearing voices in my head but I don’t know what they are saying and even when the room is quiet I keep on hearing noises and the voices in my head and everything is really loud. This has been going on for a while I think and sometimes I start crying because I can’t handle it. I don’t know what to do.
THINGS YOU CAN TRY NOW:
- We are sorry to hear that you are going through such a challenging and confusing time right now. We can imagine that you might feel quite a range of emotions from what you say here. Thank you for having the courage to share your experience with our community. Please understand it sounds like your emotions are a very real and normal response to something that feels very out of the ordinary. Reaching out for help is the first step, thank you.
- First things first, please consult with your primary physician and ensure that you are medically healthy. Be honest and open with your doctor as there is no shame in sharing what you are experiencing with your doctor. A doctor is a professional who is there to help you figure out what is going on and provide you with some answers. In addition, they may be able to help with referrals.
- Surround yourself with some positive supportive adults whom you can trust and feel safe with so that you have a network of people you can speak to honestly and frankly about what you are experiencing. Additionally, they may be able to link you to other specialized professionals and resources if need be such as therapists, psychiatrists, county mental health agencies, or the behavioral health component of your insurance.
- If you are in crisis you can text “connect” to 741741. For information and resources you can contact NAMI: 1-800-950-6264 Available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, the NAMI helpline staff can answer a variety of questions about mental health disorders, treatment, support groups, and education, and can also refer you to vocational support and legal services if needed. Or lastly, SAMHSA can also help you locate resources: SAMHSA’s free behavioral health treatment locator 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a convenient starting point for those who are ready to seek treatment for their mental health condition. This hotline offers both English- and Spanish-speaking assistance, and is also available online to conveniently connect you with treatment facilities and community resources in your area.
MAYBE LATER YOU CAN TRY:
- Try some distraction techniques such as: humming, listening to music, painting, exercise, taking a bath, using earplugs, journaling, or completing a crossword/sudoku. You could also try some focusing techniques such as: yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and guided imagery. Also consider building structure and routine in to your daily framework and keep a healthy group of positive people involved in your life as you try these new skills.
- Perhaps try learning more about what is going on to increase your understanding of what you are experiencing there is a group in the US and in the UK called Home – Hearing Voices Network USA (hearingvoicesusa.org) which offers additional reading.
