Topic Thursday // Hearing Voices - functioning day to day // *IN SESSION*

[Former-Member]

If you are a voice hearer, what are some tips and tools you use when you want to quiet the voices?

What has worker for you and what hasn't?

[leitor]

I've just read "I AM NOT SICK, I Don't Need Help", by Dr. Xavier Amador. Seems to be some very good advice there, just watching the companion videos now.

I spoke to her psychiatrist this afternoon, and he agreed with what it is saying.

Does anyone have experience with his "LEAP" system, or attended any of his lectures in Australia?

[Former-Member]

Great question @Former-Member 

When people hear voices, the majority of the time, they hear them outside their head, from an external person/voice ( not their own voice).

The negative self talk is someothing that a lot of us have to manage, but is not classified as 'hearing voices'.

Hope I explained that well for you!

[Former-Member]

I put radio on, sometimes all night to help me sleep.

Sometimes i talk & reason / sett the argument with positive affirmations

[Former-Member]

Thats a relief, as long as it stays in my head. ☺

[Former-Member]

Hi @leitor

That sounds like it must be really hard. Sometimes people can get all the help they need, and unless they are ready to accept the help, or acknowledge something is wrong, they will just ignore it, blame everyone else and run away.

It sounds like you have done the right thing by getting her to a GP and a psychiatrist. Keep supporting her as best you can, try and be understanding and let her know you are there when she is ready to get help.

Have you thought about getting some help yourself as a carer?

[vv_haha]

I am a mental health worker and would like tips and advice on the best way to support a resident who  is often heavily distracted by strong voices. 

[Former-Member]

Hi @Former-Member

That's why we are having discussions like this. To create awareness about mental illness, and so the community can get a better understanding. We need to be so careful about the language that we use, as we don't want to stigmatise against ourselves. We need to mirror how we want to be talked about, by how we talk about ourselves. 

Remember not all voice hearers have a mental illness and some people are able to manage voices without medication, but with support from a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist and a great family support.

[leitor]

@Former-Member Yes, I've been putting it off for a while, but I spoke with someone on the Carer Helpline today, and she is sending me out some information, contacts and so on (if she got my e=mail down correctly!). It was really good to have someone to talk to, as I'm very much on my own without her.

[Former-Member]

I havent @leitor, but I will check it out!