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My son hears voices

40 replies

Summa23 · 23/08/2023 11:44

My son says he hears a voice in his head. It's not voices telling him to do stuff or anything like that. But its like his thoughts have a voice. I think I have heard of this before but not sure if I imagined it. Is there a name for this ?

OP posts:
Flipflipmania · 23/08/2023 11:45

Can’t believe you don’t say how old

cocksstrideintheevening · 23/08/2023 11:48

Do you mean internal monologue? I have that, tbh I can't get my head around anyone who doesn't!

How old is he?

Comedycook · 23/08/2023 11:48

Do you mean like an inner dialogue? I think most people have that

Summa23 · 23/08/2023 11:48

Flipflipmania · 23/08/2023 11:45

Can’t believe you don’t say how old

Hes 20... you could have just asked how old he is.

OP posts:
Flipflipmania · 23/08/2023 11:49

Summa23 · 23/08/2023 11:48

Hes 20... you could have just asked how old he is.

Because so very relevant whether 3 or 20!

Internal monologue

unless of course you have other concerns about him that may suggest a mental health illness

Magenta82 · 23/08/2023 11:50

Comedycook · 23/08/2023 11:48

Do you mean like an inner dialogue? I think most people have that

Exactly this.

What about his thoughts sounds strange to you?

Summa23 · 23/08/2023 11:51

Flipflipmania · 23/08/2023 11:49

Because so very relevant whether 3 or 20!

Internal monologue

unless of course you have other concerns about him that may suggest a mental health illness

Its fine to ask. But could just ask in a normal way. Like others did

OP posts:
Summa23 · 23/08/2023 11:53

Magenta82 · 23/08/2023 11:50

Exactly this.

What about his thoughts sounds strange to you?

When I'm thinking /my thoughts its my own voice that I hear in my thoughts. He hears a different voice. I don't think its anything to worry about just a bit unusual. But fronbthis thread it seens its not unusual

OP posts:
VeridicalVagabond · 23/08/2023 11:54

I've always had an internal monologue. Bizarrely, it sounds like Stephen Fry. I find it strange when people don't have one!

pimplebum · 23/08/2023 11:55

Some people do not have conversations in their head which I find bizarre as I have multiple chats to multiple ( often dead) people in my mind often whilst driving and I find it v helpful for working out frustrations and emotions

But a v small portion of people have no internal chit chats to themselves or others

If his thoughts are intrusive or overbearing in anyway or any other signs of mental health issues you should get him help asap

Flipflipmania · 23/08/2023 11:55

Summa23 · 23/08/2023 11:51

Its fine to ask. But could just ask in a normal way. Like others did

I expressed surprise that you didn’t include this age and you seem to have taken it to heart 😐

IfICantHaveYou · 23/08/2023 11:55

Mine is in my posh telephone voice!

OhComeOnFFS · 23/08/2023 11:56

I think it would be worth him seeing a doctor, OP. He's at an age where serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia can occur. I'm not suggesting he has this, but if he does have something then it's better to get treatment earlier rather than later.

For what it's worth, a lot of people have an internal monologue going on all the time, but that seems a bit different to what you're describing.

Is he troubled by the voices? Do they come at certain times, eg if he's tired or distressed?

pikkumyy77 · 23/08/2023 11:56

This is potentially serious. He is at the right age to be showing signs of schizophrenia. Please keep a close eye on him and get him to a psychiatrist who specializes in psychotic disorders. Early treatment is key.

NutellaEllaElla · 23/08/2023 11:56

It's funny but we all seem to assume that everyone's internal experience is the same as ours. It's not, but if it isn't a problem to them and their lives, then it's not a problem.

pimplebum · 23/08/2023 11:59

Is he happy and relaxed? Functioning in life ok ?

I wish my inner voice was stephen fry I'd find that so comforting! 😁

scoobysnaxx · 23/08/2023 12:11

Most people have an internal monologue.
Some people don't.

What matters is whether the voice is internal or sounds external.

If it's external tell him to go to his GP. Especially if the voice is narrating what he is doing or commanding him to do something.

Summa23 · 23/08/2023 12:12

pimplebum · 23/08/2023 11:59

Is he happy and relaxed? Functioning in life ok ?

I wish my inner voice was stephen fry I'd find that so comforting! 😁

Hes stressed because he works long and odd hours . I'm sure he sis its always been like that though. I will ask him later .

OP posts:
forrestgreen · 23/08/2023 12:13

When we went for an autism diagnosis when dd was 18. We discussed the voices she's heard since 5yrs.
We've seen so many specialists.

She said it's autism. Such a relief

Summa23 · 23/08/2023 12:24

forrestgreen · 23/08/2023 12:13

When we went for an autism diagnosis when dd was 18. We discussed the voices she's heard since 5yrs.
We've seen so many specialists.

She said it's autism. Such a relief

My other son is 8 he has autism and he has similar I think he will say things like the thoughts like voices in my head saying I'm hungry so I need to ask for a sandwich. The voice in my head told me to put it in the dishwasher. So I think he's just telling me out loud what he's thinking .

OP posts:
BodegaSushi · 23/08/2023 12:28

His age is incredibly important, because he's at the exact age range for onset of mental illness

MushMonster · 23/08/2023 12:28

Right... I do think in sounds, images and words, depending on what I am thinking of.
I can have a full conversation going on in my head, with different characters and all.
My head is never silent, ever.
I am not the only one, at all.

But, it was only recently that I read other humans do have a different type of thinking! So, maybe you are rather different from your son and us, with our internal monologue (or full on convo!)

How do you think then?

BodegaSushi · 23/08/2023 12:29

I have an internal monologue, but before there was a name for it I would have never described it as 'voices' in my head. They're my thoughts.

Whapples · 23/08/2023 12:30

Concern attended a course that focused on this for the day. Basically people have different ways of their thoughts happening. Some hear their own voice, some hear a different one, some don’t hear a voice at all! (Altho the no voice people are a smaller percentage). It’s really interesting. Also some people can control the volume of the voice and some can’t!

Whatsthepoint1234 · 23/08/2023 12:33

I have voices in my head - it’s like my thoughts speak. If he had a psychosis or schizophrenia the voices would be outside his head. I had severe anxiety/OCD and my anxiety thoughts would speak in my head - I’ve seen many psychiatrists and it’s normal. Dh and ds1 are the same.

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