How to Cope With Hearing Voices

One of the main symptoms for people who suffer from paranoid schizophrenia is auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices of people who are not there. Although people with paranoid schizophrenia can function better than people with other types of the disorder, coping with hearing voices is a lifelong challenge. If left untreated, paranoid schizophrenia can lead to depression, self-destructive behavior and even suicidal thoughts and behavior. While the first line of treatment is medication and psychotherapy, learning coping skills is also another important way to handle paranoid schizophrenia as some medications also come with unwanted side effects.

Instructions

• 1

  Research your condition, learning as much as you can about it. Learning about paranoid schizophrenia will give you an active role in determining your treatment and understanding how the disorder affects you.

• 2

  Find ways to channel your energy in a positive way. Engage in exercise, take up a hobby and find other passions to occupy yourself rather than just focus on your illness.

• 3

  Join a support group for people with paranoid schizophrenia. Talking with other people with the same condition will help you feel not alone and gives you a place to discuss your challenges with people who suffer from the same condition.

• 4

  Encourage your family and friends to learn about paranoid schizophrenia. It will allow them to better understand you and your condition.

• 5

  Stay organized and structure your day so all of your time is planned out. Unstructured time can lead to depression and other symptoms associated with paranoid schizophrenia.

• 6

  Be gentle with yourself. Recognize that coping with paranoid schizophrenia is a long and difficult process. Being hard on yourself or angry will only set you back on your road to recovery.