Imagine hearing voices or sounds that aren’t real, experiencing auditory hallucinations can be a terrifying and isolating experience. For those who experience them, it can be difficult to know if what they are hearing is real or not.

In this article, I will share my personal experience with auditory hallucinations, how I coped with them, and what I learned along the way.

What are auditory hallucinations?

Auditory hallucinations are when a person hears sounds that aren’t real. These sounds can be anything from voices, music, or noises. They are often associated with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

However, they can also occur in people who don’t have a diagnosed mental health condition, such as those experiencing extreme stress or sleep deprivation.

My Experience with Auditory Hallucinations

My experience with auditory hallucinations began when I was in my mid-twenties. At first, it was just a few whispers here and there, and I wrote it off as my imagination. But as time went on, the whispers became louder and more frequent.

I started hearing voices telling me to do things that didn’t make any sense. They were always negative and often sounded like people I knew in real life.

At first, I was terrified. I thought I was losing my mind and was too afraid to tell anyone. I worried that if I told someone, they would think I was crazy or that something was wrong with me.

It wasn’t until I started to experience other symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, that I decided to seek help.

Getting Help

Seeking help for my auditory hallucinations was one of the best decisions I ever made. I started by talking to my doctor, who referred me to a psychiatrist.

The psychiatrist diagnosed me with bipolar disorder and prescribed medication to help manage my symptoms.

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I’m not going to lie, it took a while for the medication to work. But once it did, my auditory hallucinations became more manageable. They didn’t go away completely, but they were less frequent and less intense.

I still hear them from time to time, but I’ve learned how to deal with them.

Coping Strategies

Dealing with auditory hallucinations can be challenging, but there are ways to cope. Here are some strategies that have worked for me:.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

It’s important to acknowledge your feelings and not dismiss them. When I first started experiencing auditory hallucinations, I was afraid to acknowledge them. But once I did, I was able to start addressing them and seek help.

2. Identify Triggers

Triggers can be anything from stress to lack of sleep. Once you identify what your triggers are, you can work to avoid them or minimize their impact.

3. Practice Self-Care

Self-care is essential when dealing with auditory hallucinations. This can include things like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising. It’s also important to engage in activities that bring you joy and reduce stress.

4. Use Distractions

I’ve found that distractions can be helpful when dealing with auditory hallucinations. For me, listening to music or engaging in a hobby can help take my mind off of the voices.

5. Seek Support

Support can come in many forms, such as therapy or support groups. It’s important to have people in your life who understand what you’re going through and can provide support when you need it.

Conclusion

Experiencing auditory hallucinations can be scary and overwhelming, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Seeking help and developing coping strategies can make a big difference in managing the symptoms.

Remember to be kind to yourself and take care of your mental health.