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Q. Why am I hearing several voices and getting paranoid thoughts?

Answered by
Mehwish Mursaleen
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Sep 07, 2016 and last reviewed on: Jul 31, 2020

Hi doctor,

I am an 18 year old female. In the past year, I had been hearing several voices telling me to do certain things. Sometimes, I hear things that are not really present. Often, I feel like I am observing my own life as an outsider and this has been happening for two years. I also have trouble with sleeping. I do not fall asleep until around 1 AM and I wake up at around 6.30 AM. This has been happening for several years. Also, I just feel scared and paranoid that people are plotting against me. Please help.

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read and completely understand that you have been facing a disturbed state of mind.

  • The symptoms you have mentioned here are indication of a psychotic phenomenon called as hallucinations. It is a kind of phenomenon in which a person sees unusual things such as person, object, or anything having physical qualities that others do not see.
  • Also, you are suffering from delusions that is false beliefs, which does not exist in reality, such as paranoid thoughts that someone is plotting against me.
  • These two conditions feel so real for the person who suffers from the psychotic disorder that he or she cannot differentiate that the experiences are not happening in reality, but the byproduct of his or her own mind.
  • People around him or her do not believe in what he or she is saying or hearing. This is the major cause of conflict with people around.
  • A person may experience other difficulties such as sleep, appetite, and hygiene problems.

The Probable causes:

1. Often there is a genetic factor involved in the disorder such as if some in your family is suffering from similar kind of psychological problems.
2. Environmental factors such as negative life experiences during the past, family background, family communication and the role of a mother figure has been found to be associated with the development of this disorder.

Investigations to be done:

Consultation with a psychiatrist to suggest appropriate antipsychotic medicines.

Differential diagnosis:

Observing one's own life as an outsider may be a part of dissociation or unrealization process. It needs to be differentiated from psychosis.

Probable diagnosis:

Schizophrenia spectrum disorder (paranoid type).

Treatment plan:

Generally a biopsychosocial approach is found to be the best treatment for a psychotic disorder. You need to observe the following with your specialist concern.
1. Medications are generally suggested after confirmation of the diagnosis. The medication is to balance the brain chemicals, which are released in excessive amount such as dopamine. A psychiatrist will prescribe the medicines to you.
2. Further, psychotherapy is must for such patients as a supportive treatment to get them back in life. Because, they might have left socializing, lack self-esteem, need support and guidance related to what has happened to them, to reduce the hygiene problem and develop coping skills such as checking the reality of the thoughts, personal dialogues, problem solving and communication skills. This is done through cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) provided by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
3. Support from family members is necessary to get the patient recover and complete the treatment. Family members can take counseling sessions as well, so as to get an idea about how to deal the client at home and among social spheres.

Preventive measures:

Do not delay the treatment for psychotic disorders. It may get worse if remain untreated.

Regarding follow up:

For further doubts consult a psychologist counsellor online.---> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/psychologist-counsellor


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