Hearing voices also called auditory hallucinations are usually manifested as “voices”, which can be experienced as external voices. People suffering psychotic symptoms regularly report sensory abnormalities; therefore hallucination can happen in different way such as auditory, olfactory, gustatory and tactile but the most common are auditory hallucinations which are reported by around 70% of sufferers. Hallucinations can be frightening as they may be unexpected or unwanted, but there is usually an identifiable cause. People who hear voices faced problems socially, psychologically and biologically. It is important to notice that people can also recover from this situation. (Sage, 2006)
Characteristic of voices
As we are all unique, hearing voices can be equally individual; some voice can be positive providing support and encouragement someone needs to get through the day. Other voices can be confusing, perhaps echoing thoughts or repeating strange phrases, some voice can be very frightening, saying things that are critical, threatening or commanding. Voices can claim to have great power and knowledge, which can sometimes leave the voice hearer feeling scared and powerless as the voice are often diminishing the voice hearer and may comment on the person in the third person, or make other remarks for example “she is turned the tape on, stupid isn’t she?” or voices can argue each other. In all cases these voices are perceived as being distinct from the individual’s own thoughts. (Graham, 2008)
Some people hear voices talking when no one is around. These could be like the voices of people they know, or complete strangers. They might hear many voices, or just one. Voices can shout, whisper, clear or indistinct. They can speak in sentences or say single words. This voice can be male, female, genderless, old or young. Sometimes they have names, but not always. People can hear other type of sounds too, including knocking, rustling, crying, screaming or
References: Sage, J.(2006) schizophrenia: the biggy in mental health