![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Stephen on March 27, 2001, at 23:08:47
Greetings,
I am a 33 year old man who has been hearing voices internally for the better part of my adult life.
I have done some research into this subject matter but nothing described by others (both experiencers and doctors) has adequately described what I have experienced.
For instance - those who experience voices in their heads commonly claim that these voices instruct them to take certain actions. Often these actions were hostile and/or destructive to the receiver as well as others. Many others state that the voices simply speak ill of others: insulting bosses, co-workers, friends or strangers. I have also encountered those who claim that their voices offer them helpful insight or useful instruction. Still others claim that the voices speak through them.
As for the voice descriptions - I have read the statements of many receivers who recognize the voices as those of friends or family members, both living and dead. Also, I have heard claim that often these voices have their own unique personality associated with a distinct voice. I have even heard a recorded simulation of what these voices sound like to many of the receivers.
Having said all of that allow me reiterate - My experiences are not comparable to the examples that I have written above, or any other cases known to me for that matter.
For starters, the voices I have heard have never instructed me to do anything. In fact, the most personal message I have ever received from these voices is the simple calling of my name with varying dgrees of intensity and emotion. Even when I responded I received no further information. Often these voices don't seem to be speaking to me at all. Rather it is more like I am overhearing one side of a conversation between multiple parties.
Another difference - The sound of the voices. For me, it is as if thousands of genderless voices are speaking in perfect unison. In a comparitively few incidents I have heard the voice of someone known to me. But, like the multivoices, these familiar voices gave me no instructions, but simply called my name.
The timing - In many of the cases that I have researched the receivers stated that their voices were the most active during times of personal stress. This has not been the case for me. I have had these experiences during both high and low points in my peronal life. There would seem to be no discernible pattern. Also, it would seem that many of the receivers are subjected to their voices at any point over the course of a day. I have heard my voices only during one specific moment: at night, just after going to bed but before I begin drifting off to sleep. While lying there in the still of darkness with my mind racing along over the day's events and tomorrow's to-do lists - BAM! - from nowhere the voices will suddenly force their way into my mind like a bullet - screaming or whispering they call my name. Or I simply hear nonsensical fragments of 'someone else's' conversation, as if the multivoices are speaking to another this night but I happened to overhear a portion. Always, regardless of my mindset prior to their intrusion, I am left feeling terrified and oddly expectant. What do I expect? I have no idea, but whatever it is that I am expecting I have the feeling that 'it' is something that I strongly wish to avoid. Many times I was so shaken by the voices that I would get up from bed and turn on every light in the house. I would only return to bed hours later when exhaustion left me no options.
I have tried to approach this situation in a rational matter but the randomness with which these voices occur and the strangeness of the situation makes it very difficult to do so. Which leads me to my questions - Can someone please offer some insight into this situation? Do case histories comparable to my own exist? If so, what was the diagnosis in those situations? In what direction should I turn for help in this matter?
In conclusion I would like to add that I haven't experienced the voices in several months, nearly a year I believe. Even then the voices were faint, as if losing strength, like a radio signal coming from an increasing distance. That has never before occured, so perhaps this odd situation is reaching its own conclusion. However, I will still be left with many questions regardless of the outcome.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated,
Stephen
Posted by Mark H. on March 28, 2001, at 0:22:07
In reply to Questions Regarding The Hearing Of Voices, posted by Stephen on March 27, 2001, at 23:08:47
Dear Stephen,
Thank you for your wonderfully articulate posting. If I recall correctly, hearing voices as you're falling asleep at night (in a so-called hypnogogic state) is one of the interesting anomalies studied under the general rubric of "sleep disorders" rather than abnormal psychology. Which is to say, except to the extent that it interferes with your life (by occasionally keeping you up half the night), it is probably a harmless phenomenon.
If you read some of the sleep literature, you might be reassured to know that there are many others who experience similarly odd sounds and sensations in the transition from wakefulness to sleep. These phenomena, some of them very disturbing, are nevertheless qualitatively distinct from the auditory hallucinations associated with schizophrenia.
This is just one thread to follow in your inquiry, of course. My favorite author in this area is named Dement, and he is one of the pioneers in sleep studies at Stanford University. His books are both informative and enjoyable to read.
Thank you again for such a clear and thoughtful sharing of your experience.
Best wishes,
Mark H.
Posted by Stephen on March 28, 2001, at 8:05:28
In reply to Re: Questions Regarding The Hearing Of Voices, posted by Mark H. on March 28, 2001, at 0:22:07
Mark,
I appreciate the information. I will definitely explore the avenue of sleep disorders as a possible explanation. Again, thank you.
Stephen
Posted by mila on March 29, 2001, at 2:27:52
In reply to Questions Regarding The Hearing Of Voices, posted by Stephen on March 27, 2001, at 23:08:47
Hi Stephen,
as far as i know there is nothing wrong with having hypnagogic experiences. I actually envy you for having them. I only experience them rarely and only visual ones. there is a good book by Andreas Mavremakis, Hypnagogia, the unique state of consciousness between wakefulness and sleep. It might answer many of your questions. When I read if for the first time myself I was astonished by the variety of hypnagogic experiences people are able to have. Although hypnagogic (and hypnopompic) hallucinations do happen in people who suffer from narcolepsy and sleep paralysis (as a part of REM disorder), on their own they are not symptomatic of any pathology per se. they just signal you that you are in a transition to/from a REM state, or experience the admixture of REM and waking physiology.
if it will make you feel better, up to 67% of people have such hallucinations. And many, many people hear their names being called.
yours was a fascinating post to read. thank you.
mila
Posted by Stephen on March 30, 2001, at 0:43:35
In reply to Re: Questions Regarding The Hearing Of Voices, posted by mila on March 29, 2001, at 2:27:52
Hi Mila,
Thank you for the informative posting. Due to Mark's submission I have begun tentative research into sleep disorders, hypnagogic experiences, etc. Most enlightening, I must say. I, too, am surprised at the variety of such events. I was particularly interested in learning of those who have experienced unusual music-like noises. This is something that I have also experienced, though to such a minor degree as to not bear mention in my original posting. For me, these sounds can best be described as musical in nature but not fitting into any known musical framework.
Though I now have a solid path upon which to travel a few things still disturb me.
Why was my hypnagogic experience followed by an extreme sense of terror? I've considered the possibility that perhaps it was simply the fear of an unknown variable introduced into my life -- instinctive human fear of the unknown. However, the unknown has always been something that I have found fascinating rather than repellent. Hmmm....perhaps further research will bring clarification.
Why did I feel expectant after my experiences? To elaborate - After hearing my name called I would invariably feel as if 'something' were going to follow this summons. This 'something' was/is unknown to me but terrifying nonetheless. To your knowledge, is there a precedent for such ... anticipation ... following a hypnagogic event?
Has anyone described a sensation of elevation or floating? I have experienced this only once. While stationed in Germany, I awoke in the middle of the night to the sensation of hovering above my bed. I immediately felt a combination of terror and familiarity though I have no recollection of this happening prior to or since that night. At the moment of realization I thought to myself that I did not wish for this to be happening and immediately I felt as if I were settling back onto the mattress. Seconds later I fell asleep. Again, this has only happened to me once and I only mention this now because if other odd occurrences in my life (voices) can be so easily explained, perhaps equal rationale can be applied to this matter as well.
Again, thank you for your posting.
Stephen
Posted by mila on March 30, 2001, at 8:04:51
In reply to Re: Questions Regarding The Hearing Of Voices, posted by Stephen on March 30, 2001, at 0:43:35
hi Stephen,
the emotion of terror can be approached from two directions. One is purely physiological, for there is such a thing as uncued panic attacks, they just happen. it is pure physiology. An example of it is night terrors. Dreamers eject blood chilling cries, but upon awakening cannot recall any specific dream imagery, thus it is different from nightmares.
another approach is more cognitive. It is more similar to what you are thinking. why be afraid of those images? It establishes cause-effect link between hallucination and emotion it triggers. Here you might ask yourself what is terror, and how it differs from fear, apprehension, or panic. What does it say to you about the event or situation you are in? from here you work your way up to recognizing what is non-terrifying in the experience and make it matter most. you become aware how enjoyable and rewarding those hypnagogic experiences are in fact, etc.
hearing your name and expecting that someting would happen afterwards is only natural. after all, isn't it what is usually happening in waking life? someone calls your name in waking, you prick up you ears, and immediately after that there is a message tailored specifically for you to get? But in hypnagogic experience it comes from the 'space', or, let's say, from your 'unconscious', this is terrifying. It is as if there is a spirit near you, or something from the depth of your soul reaching for you. This is strongly associated in humans with loss of control of what is most dear to us: our sense of self, our mind.
the sensation of elevation or floating over your bed is also very commonplace. This doesn't make it any less special for a person experiencig it. They are commonly called Out of Body Experiences, or even astral projections. Of course, there is a specific underlying neurophysiology for these experiences. You seem to be a very gifted dreamer, Stephen. Sky is the limit for you. You can have so much fun! YOu might find many friends among people who are prone to the same experiences. I would advise you to go to the ASD Bulleting Board and post there. ASD ( Association for the Study of Dreams) also provides many links to the sites dedicated to hypnagogia and OBE's.
good luck
mila
Posted by Stephen on March 30, 2001, at 11:41:00
In reply to Re: Questions Regarding The Hearing Of Voices, posted by mila on March 30, 2001, at 8:04:51
Mila,
Thank you kindly for your insightful response. Extremely logical ... made perfect sense.
After reading your posting I found myself amazed at the simplicity of the matter, how I had overlooked such sound explanations in my own searches. When one is the subject of such events it is very difficult to detach one's self from the matter, to remain objective while searching.
Thank you. I will visit the recommended message board immediately.
Stephen
Posted by willow on March 30, 2001, at 20:21:15
In reply to Thanks Again, posted by Stephen on March 30, 2001, at 11:41:00
this topic. In two weeks I'll be going for a sleep study. I've always been an "active" sleeper tossing and talking in my sleep. I believe the medication which I'm taking is making the phenomena that you have mentioned happen more frequently for myself. I find it annoying because it'll wake me up just as I'm drifting off. It'll take about a month to get the results from the sleep study and if they're able to give some helpful information I'll post it.
Sweet Dreams
Whispering Willow
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.