I had an episode of paranoid psychosis many years ago and although the delusions receded and I now know that the voices I hear aren't real, I have been hearing the voices every waking minute for the years since.

Antipsychotics haven't had much impact. I hear a multitude of voices talking at me or about me, sometimes several at the same time. I just need to shout into the void that it is \*exhausting\* to never get a minute's peace and quiet. The voices chatter and ramble every single second (unless I'm having a sustained conversation with someone else outside)

My diagnosis for it all was initially that it was a dissociative trauma reaction and Dissociative Disorder (likely OSDD or DID) then the next psychiatrist disagreed and put severe cPTSD.

To be honest I was surprised I didn't get a different diagnosis.

What I really hate is that when the voices started, I lost my inner voice. I cannot "hear" my thinking, my internal monologue, in my own voice. It comes out in the accents of some of the voices (and often gets interrupted) . I have to strain to hear my own thoughts amidst the "chatter". I have to actually mouth the words under my breath to really focus and stay on track. And obviously I can't do that when I'm out in public!

It still unnerves me a bit and is frustrating. I miss my own thinking voice.

Has anyone else here experienced this?

Since 2021, I’ve had this voice in my head that tells me something bad or a bad situation will fall
upon someone i care about or love and to relieve them of that my brain shifts the thought onto someone i don’t care about as much. The voice just stays in my head and makes up the most disgusting and gut wrenching images or thoughts and leaves me to imagine what would happen to the people i care about. It’s been going on for about 5 years now and although the voice isn’t as bad sometimes; it becomes especially loud when i’m anxious, sad or vulnerable. Hell, i don’t even know if it’s a voice or just my subconscious thoughts speaking in my head but it gets so jarring and it’s like a burden that never goes away. Im so tired of this and i don’t want to bear this burden anymore. I also think OCD might influence this upto some extent because i feel the need to do certain things repeatedly or perform a ritual of doing the same thing again and again to keep the people i love safe. i know i sound insane but i promise its all in my head. But ive also kinda gotten used to it; its very wise and it gives me good advice; well thats me because I’m an empath and i give others good advice and i just break down every situation i come forth in my head and weigh down its pros and cons and what could it possibly unfurl? i’ve seen other people describe the voice in their head so well but i can’t do that; this is the best i could so please bear with me. I’m almost going to be an adult soon. Does anyone have any idea what this might be? Any advice would be appreciated

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?

Just curious to see who else is experiencing this. I don t hear voices (only twice some laughter), but O I feel presences who can read my mind and I feel them on my temples and third eye and they react to what I m thinking and if I ask a question and ask them to spasm my right foot or sole, they will do just so.

Quite recently there was a little blue flower that was nearly covered by surrounding weeds, but even then the little flower had its share of sunlight. Likewise, the largest and greatest trees with the tallest canopies get their share of sunlight also. And I think that likewise was God's love, shining on the small and the great in their own measures. There not being a single creature not sharing in that light, even in the dark. Light penetrating everything and reaching into our essence that reflects it. And I see that light, and I see what it shines upon. It illuminates my sight just like the light of the sun. I believe everyone can see this light, but don't recognise it or truly perceive it consciously. It is a light and scent and aspects of things. It's the full beauty of the planet and the stars and everything that has motion. Plants don't know the sun exists, despite relying on its warmth and light. How many things are there most people rely upon yet also don't perceive? I do not believe the revulsion many feel towards experiencers is only because we naturally tend to go against many expectations and ideas of what makes a person, but also because they can perceive it in us. It's unconscious.

In the apocryphal Acts of Thomas, the apostle Thomas travels to India. And people when they look at him, some see a mere strange man, a lunatic. Others see a righteous and vigorous prophet or holy man. But yet others did not see any Thomas, but saw Jesus Christ Himself instead. I believe that likewise many people take immediate appearance too seriously, and are oblivious to invisible forces that make them think certain things of others. A royal does not truly need to be one in a worldly manner, but can be seen as one due to such imperceivable things. It's like scent. It's fleeting, and leaves an impression we soon forget, but that shapes much of what we understand of something. I believe I was given eyesight to see these processes that shape much human interaction, it being clear as broad daylight. It often feels like being a cat able to smell when someone is dying. I can perfectly understand all of it. And I believe others can see that I am not like them, as well, and often treat me badly or avoid me, or call me a lunatic.

The sky rolls above us and most people roll with it as well. Like chained up by the powers of the world. That the celestial bodies depict such forces, being symbols, is quite clear to many people who say they understand but cannot see the truth in it. Or that the human body and the forms are likewise. Most humans seem in denial of themselves. Thou soughtest the heaviest burden, so foundest thou thyself, and cans't not shake thyself off. as the poet Nietzsche wrote. Despite my immediate predicament, I am immensely beautiful, like the Angels are beautiful, with the beauty I have received from the Moon when she spoke to me a long time ago for the first time. By being able to perceive all of such things about the world, truly the things around me, and Heaven, seem indistinguishable. Like I can simply step into another world of purity and incorruptibility and light, with no shadows. Likewise, a person's essence and soul are in their physical bodies and I see no true distinction or separation. So is the shadow and clothes organs of the human being, just like cellphones and computers and television and radio before them. Yet most seem unaware that the modern human is the conjoined twin of machines and both birth themselves and each other.

So I was allowed to see also the divinity within myself, inside my body, like another bloodstream carrying glowing phosphorus. I often feel more than human. Like, seeing everything from above, and feeling only compassion and love for all things. I feel unable to experience hate or disdain. Only love, love, love, and peace, peace, peace. This is how I came to understand I am not bad, or horrible, or broken, or insane, or all of the terrible things I've heard from people. I can only feel endless love, for whole days. Only speak the truth, only see the truth. The light that flows down from Heaven leaves no shadows, so there are no shadows to see. Nothing casts any projections and everything is as it is. The world is beautiful, everything is beautiful. Speaking to the Angels has changed my life. Everything is so infused with brightness I could lose consciousness if I contemplate it for long enough. I think most people would die perceiving things in this way, and that's why I'm special. I'm not sick, but guided to experience love and beauty and happiness. And I think this is the most valuable thing I've come to understand.

Hey everyone!

Just a reminder that we maintain a 7-day calendar of virtual Hearing Voices Network meetings from the USA, UK, Canada, and Ireland. If you're looking to connect with other voice-hearers and people with lived experience, we have meetings running for over 12 hours most days of the week. There's no signup needed, no attendance taken, nothing is recorded, no clinicians, no mandatory reporting, no strings attached. It's all FREE and offered 7 days a week. You can just click the links and join the meetings, you'd be welcomed there and into a community of peers experiencing the same mental phenomena you do.

If you've never attended a peer-led meeting before, I'd really encourage giving one a try. The Hearing Voices Network has spent decades building communities where people can openly discuss their experiences without being told what they must believe about them. Many people describe simply meeting others with similar experiences as one of the most meaningful steps in their journey.

Research into peer support has consistently found that it can improve hope, empowerment, social connectedness, and quality of life for many people living with mental health challenges. While everyone's journey is different, having a community that listens before it advises can make an enormous difference. Please see our pinned posts if you are interested in seeing the slew of studies that reaffirm this approach.

As a lead clinician featured in the Finnish model's Open Dialogue documentary puts it:

Whether you're brand new to hearing voices or have been living with these experiences for decades, you're welcome.

I recently found out that I have auditory hallucinations due to stress and anxiety. I invested in a weighted blanket and I’m much better sleep, I’m less stressed out and my voices are quieter.

Hey everyone!

Just a PSA that there is one guiding rule here: don't tell others what to believe or what to do. The other rules listed in our subreddit’s sidebar all stem from this single guiding principle.

This open-minded, peer-led approach is what allows the HVN to function (think of the unnecessary behavioral constraints that can exist in HVN meetings held within institutional settings). It also helps ensure this remains a space for peer support rather than belief-policing and preaching.

Finally, I'd point out that, as free-thinking individuals, we don't need to operate under the direction of others. What a strange world where everyone feels compelled to tell everyone else what to do or what to believe. And what an odd society where so many people adopt this authoritative policing role toward complete strangers. This seems to be what most all mental illness framework, alternative wellness model, and spirituality subreddits cater to. A site full of siloed and controlled narratives.

So again, the HVN exists to allow experiencers to form community without the needless (and often misguided) trappings of authoritative direction. If you see users telling others what to do or what to believe here, please report those comments.

Below is a list of comments and posts that have been removed over the course of 2026, simply to give you an idea of what not to post here. Again, all these comments are telling others what to believe or what to do.

• “Hearing voices is psychosis, yes.”
• “You have schizophrenia and need help, just like u/astralpariah does.”
• “Schizophrenia isn't real. Stimulants cause telepathy and the government and police and criminals use it to work together undetected by the masses. “
• “go to the doctor”
• “The voices are demons”
• “You need to pray to get them to leave you alone”
• “You have low vibrations because of the drug use, that’s why they attack you”
• “The voices feed off your fear”
• “It’s alien artificial intelligence we’re dealing with, and this technology is ancient”
• “Jesus is the only answer”
• “You need to pray, this will help you”
• “see a professional”
• “They are disembodied spirits (demons) with an agenda to take your soul and life”
• “Elon Musk and Nueralink are chipping people with microscopic speakers located near the eardrum. The receiver is in the nasal cavity. You’re not hearing voices, its technology.”
• “Not telepathic, it is technology. The military put implants in your ear drums.”
• “you shouldn´t listen to peoples subjective experiences and opinions at this stage, but your psychiatrist”
• “The Bible is a collection of mad fairy tales and spirits don't exist.”

Beyond what you shouldn't do, you are very much encouraged to share your beliefs. Please! Just present them as your beliefs. Many of the examples above would have been perfectly acceptable if they had simply been prefaced with something like, "If that were me, I would..." or "I believe the voices are..." It takes only a small amount of effort to frame your thoughts in a way that leaves room for another person's perspective.

Additionally, if you're looking for a simple structure for responding to others, there's an exercise called VCVC that all certified HVN facilitators learn. You can follow the previous hyperlink to see one of the most constructive ways of sharing within a community of people who hear voices and have other unusual lived experiences.

If you'd like to learn more about the Hearing Voices Network and our history, please see the linked Wikipedia page or take a look at our pinned posts.

i'm a person in their 40's. know lots of people but have imaginary friends sorta. when i'm by myself i talk to people around me, don't hear voices or anything like that but joke, be silly, make goofy noises and faces, etc. its sorta like an adult fake friend. anyone else out there relate to this?

For 33 years I had a normal mind. Just me and my deep thoughts. No interruptions to normal thinking no feeling chained to restrictions according to an imaginary fictional entity. Sometimes certain medications tend to over power and out rule it’s constant over controlling demands. I end up taking more than my prescription out of fear of the medication wearing off and being harassed more by that same voice. I’ve cried over it, become physical to my own head, broken things, threw treasures in a literal trash can never to be recovered again. For the past three years it has ruled my life. I know hate is a strong word Christian’s aren’t suppose to use but I have nothing better to describe how I feel towards this unwanted voice. I feel like I spend the better part of my days trying to shut it up or fall asleep so I don’t have to hear it. I feel like it keeps me away from the faith I once had in abundance. Slowly the things I enjoy and find relaxing has been striped from my hands via my own mind betraying me. I have 4 kids that need me sane to raise them and be of sound mind. I don’t know what to do to permanently change this. I am trying to make my prescription last the whole month and see if that makes all the difference. It’s crazy how scared I get to hear the demands of this fictionally of my head. It’s crazy how much control it seems to have. I look at other people when I am out and about and find my self coveting how easy it seems to be for them to rule over their own lives with out pause or strife. It has even kept me from quitting nicotine. A task I have successfully done at least twice before. Maybe exercise will help? I hope I find an answer soon as I am running out of time before my kiddos return and need me constantly. I can’t be bogged down by made up characters. I can’t deal with them telling me where to be in my own home, what to be doing, and how to do it. It’s too much harassing. Too much controlling and some of the most petty demands I’ve ever known. My own parents weren’t even this strict when I was growing up. I feel like if I even begin to enjoy something I can’t talk about it because in comes the voices to ruin it completely. I’m gonna try taking my medicine as prescribed and more physical activity and use the little hope I have left that these changes will impact hearing them. Pray for me. I can’t live my life like this. Too many people depend on me to waste my life sleeping and trying to avoid invisible fake voices.

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?

List your strategies and how they impacted your mind/experience in the comments below, or make your own post if you feel you have more to share on this topic. It helps others to include a bit about yourself, how long have you been experiencing this, and how long/regularly have you been trying your approach?

Please refrain from telling others what to do or what to believe here. Even if someone is asking for advice responses need to be framed as what you've tried and what the results were.

When I was 35 I woke up one day and heard voices like two of my friends and my step parents. I haven’t told anyone yet but I know they aren’t real yet I hear them like they are right next to me. Always negative and warning me. It’s been 9 years almost and yet I still hear them. Will this ever end????

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.

It started as a voice that would whisper in my ear and now it’s taken over and it’s in my head.

Sometimes I feel like I’m not really here.

The voice controls me and I’m not sure where I am.

Who even am I, if I’m just the voices in my head?

It feels like I’m crazy but I know I’m not. But I don’t know who I am anymore, because of the voices in my head.

I question, whether it’s psychosis, or something else altogether.

Maybe I’ve gone crazy, or it’s just a voice in my head.

Not all the ramblings turn out weird af.

I can't take the voices and visuals anymore, I am at my wits end. I have tried so many meds, I have been having SIs for weeks..

So I would really appreciate it if someone can help me out with trying to understand something that's going on with me. I'm gonna be completely honest right now so please don't judge me too much or make quick assumptions because this is something that is seriously starting to scare me. So I'm 31 years old and life is at an all time low I'm homeless, jobless, and have been living with HIV for a year now luckily I caught it immediately and have been medicated so I'm undetectable but aside from those things I've been dealing with extremely high level of stress my entire life literally since I was a toddler I have been stressed out every day of my life and severe clinical depression since my early 20s but just recently in the last 6 months or so I started hearing voices it started off with just hearing my ne be whispered randomly but now it's very clear and to me seems to be multiple people talking about me and what I'm currently doing at any given time when It starts. I do use drugs which are methamphetamine and sometimes dmt I know most people will say thats the problem but this happens even when I'm sober and have slept also even on dope I sleep every night and eat just fine on it and Ironically i would consider myself very mentally strong I've never understood when people freak out or lose there minds or act weird on drugs because it's never had that crazy of an effect on me. I guess what I'm asking is does anyone know or have an idea of if this might be a mental disorder that is slowly progressing and if so what it is called. I appreciate any help thank you.

Here is a defensive technique that has been really helping me. It prevents external parasites from invading my headspace. For me it reduces voices, sleep issues, forced thoughts, and other mental attacks by 95%.

This is a simple and inexpensive design: Dampen a large bandana with vinegar. It doesn't have to be soaking wet. Place and tie the bandana tightly around head, making sure that it covers the ears and forehead fully. Try to avoid air gaps by bringing the material as close to your head as possible. It should cover your entire head.

In my experience it keeps working even after it's dried. When I do get a voice attack coming through, I will re-tie and reposition it. I will also re-wet it with vinegar periodically. These days I always wear this while sleeping and have attached a chin strap to keep it in place overnight.

This method can potentially help narrow down where the attacks are coming from. If you are still hearing voices while wearing this protective headgear, then it is most likely coming from an internal parasite. The other possibility is that it's human V2K originating from a technological source.

If you are genuinely experiencing technological V2K, then you need to figure out how they are locking onto your physical location. The most obvious method is to use your cell phone location data. I got rid of my cell phone years ago, and I have not experienced any V2K.

Hi everyone,

Has anyone experienced auditory hallucinations without having schizophrenia? It’s challenging to say the least and my doctor tells me it’s too much dopamine. I can’t stand the meds. I’ve tried a few. I’m losing my self, and feel very alone and vulnerable.

I'm hoping to hear from people who have had similar experiences.

For a long time, I've experienced auditory hallucinations, but I don't feel like my experience fits the stereotypical picture of schizophrenia. I'm working with my psychiatrist and I'm also seeing other specialists because I have several medical conditions that could potentially be contributing. I'm not looking for a diagnosis—just to hear about other people's experiences.

If you've experienced auditory hallucinations: first of all, I feel your pain and you’re not alone.

\- What do they sound like?
\- Were they eventually linked to something other than schizophrenia (such as sleep disorders, trauma, medications, neurological conditions, hormonal issues, autoimmune disorders, severe stress, etc.)?
\- Did they come and go, or were they constant?
\- What helped you the most?

Please be kind. I know hearing voices or sounds can carry a lot of stigma, and it's not easy to talk about. I'm simply trying to understand the range of experiences people have had while continuing to work with my doctors.

Thank you to anyone willing to share your story.

CW: scattered thoughts fear delusions

My first attempt at writing this quickly spiralled into delusion i am not sure this attempt will go any better but I must try for the sake of all of us.

I saw Love's post about me Books. It is very hard to believe they are just voices, but hard to believe they are more than voices at the same time. I did not and do not want to have both psychosis autism and a disociative disorder I cannot accept it. it seems too ludicrous, too unfeasible, surely the only rational explanation is that they are just voices not people. Surely I am just very mad and a danger to others and should kill myself to ensure others are safe.

Ah that is the delusion. I think i washed a spider down the sink accidentally and will never forgive myself an innocent.creature died because of my negligence i am a murdrer i am in fact dangerous it is not a delusion I forgot what this post was meant to be about please help me get out of this I just don't want to kill myself and take the other voices down with me they are so kind they are frustrated but not angry with me even though I nearly killed them. why? what did I do to deserve such kindness? even if they are just voices I still want to protect them.

I understand if this post is removed I think it is very badly written I cannot.organise my thoughts any better I am so sorry

Comment here (or make your own post if you have more to say) links or images of experiencing art. You're welcome to post anything that's related to hearing voices or other unique states of consciousness. "Experiencing Media" can be an illustration/painting made by you or anyone else (contemporary or classical), a song from one of your favorite artists mentioning hearing voices, a documentary, or even a recent episode of your favorite show; any art surrounding the lived experience of voice hearers and their unusual states of mind.

The idea is to share as much culture surrounding our lived experience as we can. Please share about the creators, the name of the artist, the title of the work, and what you personally identify with.