How to Cope With Auditory Hallucinations

Auditory hallucinations are most often associated with paranoid schizophrenia, a mental illness in which the patient imagines a skewed reality that is not accurate. Auditory hallucinations are experienced when an individual hears things that aren't really there. These noises can be voices, animal sounds, music, or any other noise that has not actually occurred. Although auditory hallucinations can be jarring, with correct treatment, they can be managed in order to live a normal daily life.

Instructions

• 1

  See a doctor. Your doctor will most likely put you in touch with a psychiatrist, and possibly a talk therapist, like a psychological social worker or psychologist.

• 2

  Take medication. The psychiatrist may put you on an antipsychotic medication that, if it works correctly, should stop all auditory hallucinations. It may take up to a month to see results, but it is important to continue taking your medication exactly as prescribed.

• 3

  Remember you have an illness. If you start to hear voices that are telling you to do something destructive, repeat to yourself, "This is just my illness talking, this is just my illness." If you are able to stay calm through your auditory hallucination, you will be able to feel less alarmed by them and they may not last as long.

• 4

  Share your hallucinations. Although it may not be appropriate to let your coworkers know that you have been hearing voices, a psychologist is trained to interpret what your hallucinations may be trying to tell you. Because the hallucinations are a manifestation of you, they may be projecting your inner fears or apprehensions.

• 5

  Meet other people who experience auditory hallucinations. Your doctor can put you in touch with other patients with your illness. Just speaking about your experiences with auditory hallucinations can calm your nerves and make you not feel so alone.