Attending Hearing Voices Network

[Arienette]

I hear voices sometimes.

I've been keeping records of everything, pretty much compulsively because I am such a puzzle and I can't figure myself out - then i get very overwhelmed and stop functioning.

So my routine is to document everything. I write down what and when I hear including how stressed I am, thoughts etc etc.

In august I had 9 days of hearing voices. I have noticed they come when I am stressed. For this month so far it is pretty much looking the same.

I wonder, if it would be OK for me to go to a hearing voices network support group at all? or am i not hearing them enough? My support worker suggested it and it might help to not feel so shameful and like a freak because of it.

but am i hearing them 'enough' to warrant going? I used to hear them more but no-one at my cmht mentioned it at all, so it makes me question whether im really suitable at all.

has anyone been to one before and know maybe? or have an idea?

Thanks.

[Ballerina123]

There is no requirement to how much you should hear voices to attend a group.

Some people go who hear them all the time but some go who have only ever heard them once or twice.

So in answer to your question yes it's fine for you to go.

I use to like going to the hearing voices network because they don't always see voice hearing as a mental health problem. Which is nice.
They will help with with coping skills though if you the voices distressing.

[Becca]

I went to a group. Some of the recommendations helped, some didn't. Unfortunately the group closed soon after I started going (funding reasons). I think on by heir website there was a link to things people found helpful when hearing voices. Like I said it varied in terms of helpfulness according to your own situation. Also if you are feeling very isolated by your experience it can help to know others go through similar things, personally I didn't find that helpful but I know others did.

Maybe try it and see? If you don't find it helpful you don't need to go back again.

[Arienette]

Ok thanks for letting me know. I just feel so ashamed because of it but I might feel less ashamed and strange if I spoke to other people who experienced it too.

Sometimes I really just feel like I'm different to everyone else. Like I am a robot or just manufactured differently but if I speak to other people who have similar experiences I might feel a little less alien. Maybe.

Especially as I started college and I feel really different. Before it wasn't such a big deal because I was socially isolated but now it plays on my mind.

Thanks for your replies.

[not_so_insig]

I have been to a hearing voices group today. We had a new person join today that no longer heard voices and he was made to feel welcome. We also had a person who used to hear negative voices and now hears positive voices who is now unable to come though. So I think that you're definitely able to go.

Out of all the people who go everyone else has more voices than me as I only have two.

[Arienette]

Thanks for telling me about that. I have 3 that come and go. Over time they have become very distinct from one another.

I'm going to look into it and try to go sometime I think. There is one up the road but I don't want to bump into anyone I worked with at the centre before. I'm sure I could find another one though.