Coping with voices?
 

I was wondering if anyone had any tips for coping with hearing voices?

At the moment I just have my MP3 on loud as it will go and try and keep focussed on things but with no concentration it's hard.
Would really appreciate any ideas.
(Sorry if there's already a thread like this)

i'm not very good with coping but these are things that sometimes help:
music, like you said
talking or singing out loud
blocking them out with thoughts, doing a puzzle or something. i find number ones, like sudoku, the easiest because then there aren't so many words in my head.
doing some exercise (sometimes i find it gets my brain working faster so at least i can keep up with the voices and it's not just a load of noise)
not much help, sorry.

No thank you they are really good ideas.
I do things like arroword puzzles but then find my mind gets stuck on one word and I'll end up repeating it over and over for no reason for a while.
Kakuro and Sudoku are good :)

I'm not sure whether this would be classed as coping with the voices, but I just wanted to say ask do you get any help? therapy wise? I've found it in the past helpful to talk about what i've heard and to understand what it could mean. I read somewhere that when people hear voices it's actually the brain mistaking the persons own thoughts and so own (don't quote me on this!) it might be helpful.

Getting lost in something can help though, like a movie or video game. I find that video games are the most helpful as you have to use your hands and focus on what your doing.

I hope that it gets easier with the voices as time goes on.

i do the same as ytou, music. i went for a walk last night that helped alot wasnt out long

Hmm.. While listening to the music ( I do multiple things )
1.) Light a scented candle
3.) Read "The Blue Day Book" If you don't know it I'll send you a link, it's just a sentence on each page which gaint pictures of adorable animals.. most uplifting thing ever!
4.) Do something artistic
5.) Keep something real close (I keep petting my cat)

I've found having a conversation about a completly differant subject with someone (even over the phone as long as u can hear each other talking) sometimes used to help me.

Frankiex

I haven't really found anything that helps me, but wanted to say thanks for making this thread as I am finding the suggestions you are being given helpful!

x
Becca

I find singing out loud helps, im not sure why but it does. The best thing is to learn to shut the voices out and say to them ill talk to you between such and such a time. Thats what they told me while i was in hospital although im not sure how to do it as ive never mastered it. Sorry im not much help but PM me anytime.

Thanks for all the replies.

I play games to keep me busy a lot and that's helpful.

One thing my counsellor told me is to try remember they aren't real. This causes more confusion for me cos I suffer from derealisation but I've heard it can help other people.
Another is if they are being horrible to you then try imagining what you're friends or family would say in response (positively).

I saw the The Blue Day Book when I was at work a while ago, it's great :)

good idea

I've found that yoga and meditation helps my some, because a lot of yoga is shutting out the outer world and focusing on yourself, so it might help.
The others are good ideas too.
sorry I'm not much of help hun.

yeh meditation does help. but when your so streessed out and got so much going on its the last thing you wanna do isnt it. its a shame caz it does hellp.

I :

- Listen to loud music.
- Watch TV.
- Do vigorous exercise.
- Take PRN.
- Try to fall asleep, with PRN assistance.
- Write poetry.
- Have a really warm bath with loads of foam.

I don't know if any of those will help. It doesn't always work in my case either.

If I start having rather big issues with anything i'm hearing i go & get a hug off someone & it generally helps me a little.
If you live alone you could always just go find someone on the street... or maybe not.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Only just got back on to see the rest.
I'll try the suggestions out.

^Lol I've done the randomly huggling strangers in the street thing before either goes amusingly well or...not xD

I also have found writing things down or drawing helps quite a bit atm.

definately putting earplugs in is the best i used to find cos it drowns everything out ,and when ur sick u can hear music differently to other ppl too ,does anyone else find this .but hopefully therapy and meds and talking about it will disperse the voices

you no wht i just thought we shudnt distract ourtselves we need 2 deal with whts causeing them

Loud heavy metal is helping atm for my bastard Voices.

writing down what the voices are saying helped slow and quiten them down the other day for me