Suggestions to make to those who hear voices

Hearing voices is a psychotic symptom that can lead to confusion and distress. There are tricks that can help them better control these auditory hallucinations. Patricia Deegan, Ph.D, herself a victim of mental illness, offers some techniques which seem to manage and reduce the voices.

Those affected can use their own voice to sing, recite something or speak to someone else in order to ward off the voices. Also, these persons can concentrate on something tangible, get involved in activities that are diverting such as tidying up or a sport. Blocking off one's ears also seems to be helpful, as well as a healthy lifestyle, especially with regard to sleeping habits. Dr. Deegan suggests listening to the voices for a limited time -- ten minutes. The moment when the voices will be given attention can be predetermined. They can be considered as unconscious thoughts, desires or wishes providing information on what the affected person thinks of himself or herself. For example, if the voices suggests that the person is useless, then the person can say that today he or she "feels" useless and can quickly do something to feel better. Also, the voices can be challenged; if the voices say that other people can read the affected person's thoughts, then a reality test can be done by simply asking people around if they can in fact read these thoughts. This attitude can have quick results. Repeating out loud what the voices are saying can shut them out or lessen them.

Keeping a journal noting the times when the voices are heard (day, hour, place, context), what they say and when they stop can lead to identifying patterns and finding personal coping strategies. For some persons, simply writing about the voices can reduce them. Research has shown that when something unpleasant happens when voices are heard -- such as pulling on an elastic band wound around a wrist -- it can reduce the number of occurrences. By learning to ignore noises from more than one source (television and radio playing at the same time), by doing something else or by talking to someone can help in disregarding the voices. To improve self-esteem, the affected person can repeat positive statements about himself or herself, things that he or she likes and positive events, all of  which can improve confidence and give less credence to the worrisome comments of the voices. Finally, people affected with auditory hallucinations who share their experiences with others feel less isolated and benefit from support in controlling the intrusive and convincing effects of the voices.