Voices in head - anyone have any experience of this

[unsureaboutthis]

my dp has recently confided in me that he has for years and years had voices in his head. They have always been very negative voices telling him to do 'bad' things. He said as a young boy / teenager he would do what the voices told him after being persuaded by them. As an adult he argues back with the voices and refuses to do as the voices say. They never go away and come to him at night a lot as well as one particular nightmare that keeps him awake and in the horrors for hours at night.

I'm so shocked at this as he is one of the nicest men I have ever met, so popular and friendly. I have no experience of this at all and really would like to help / support him.

Any ideas anyone?

[Northernlurker]

I think this is one for medical advice. Are yo the only person he's told? Would he see his GP do you think?

[unsureaboutthis]

He has seen his GP when he was a lot younger and he believes its something he just has top live with, that nothing can be done.

[unsureaboutthis]

He has seen his GP when he was a lot younger and he believes its something he just has to live with, that nothing can be done.

[EllieMental]

it sounds like an auditory hallucination, which can be a sympton of a schitzophrenic condition. I would urge him to talk to a GP. There is medication he can take which will alleviate/repress such distressing symptoms.
This is NOT something which will go away by himself.

[EllieMental]

'voices' are also an indicator of the manic phase of bi-polar disorder.

[QueenofWhatever]

It's definitely a major feature in psychotic disorders; not hopefully as terrifying as it sounds as that covers schizophrenia but also things like psychotic depression. It sounds like he has managed to control them for many years, so it doesn't sound like he is sliding into a psychotic state.

1 in 100 people have schizophrenia so chances are that we have all known schizophrenics, more will have psychotic disorders. People still live their lives, getting help will not mean he is locked away on a psych ward.

It is extremely important he goes to see his GP, maybe offer to go with him. This a serious symptom and can respond very well to medication. Rethink are a very helpful organisation working with this.

Hope it goes OK, let us know.

[tiredlady]

Are these voices "in " his head, or does he hear them arising in external space, ie coming into his head via his ears.

The distinction is crtical.

Voices arising in external space can be a symptom of a psychotic illness. Voices "in" the head can crtainly be dstressing etc but are not in the same league of seriousness and are not affected by medication. They are felt to be the internal vocalisation of ones own thoughts.

It doesn't sound from what you've said that there are any other symptoms worrying you or your dp, so it's unlikely he has a major mental illness, especially if he has had them for so long.

Ask your GP for a referral to your local mental health team who can assess fully.