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Original poster

My son is hearing voices

141 replies

OakLuz · 12/01/2014 23:28

Over the past 2 weeks my 8 year old son has been hearing voices and sounds in his "ears and head" he says the person who is speaking to him is a man and his name is Joseph, he cries none stop and says that he is scared. I have done my research on schizophrenia and it is very unlikely he has that, I have suggested we take a trip to the doctors but he doesn't want to go I just don't know what to do next, his behaviour is deteorating day by day, he no longer wants to eat because he thinks there is poison in the food etc. I will be grateful for any advice

Luz

OP posts:
Fairenuff · 13/01/2014 08:08

Are you in the uk OP?

adoptmama · 13/01/2014 10:37

Audio and visual hallucinations can also be caused by certain types of epilepsy. Whatever is going on, hugs to you and your DS that you can get some proper diagnosis and help. As others have said, you really have no choice except to seek urgent medical help.

cory · 13/01/2014 11:12

I think there is no alternative here: you take him to the doctor.

When this happened to my dd, it turned out to be toxins from an undiagnosed kidney infection. I imagine that could have done her serious damage if I had just let it go because she didn't want to see the doctor. And she was a good deal older than your ds. Sometimes you just have to be the parent.

"He can't be unhappy because he has nothing to be unhappy about" seems a bit of a non-starter. If he feels different from others and has low self-esteem, then he does have something to be unhappy about. Depression is something to be unhappy about. Nasty voices most certainly is.

Is there a reason why your 15yo dd is dealing with this rather than you and his dad?

You all seem to have got into the habit of disengaging from him - is there a back story here we should know about?

Original poster
OakLuz · 13/01/2014 12:45

Selks he is now complaining of a headache aswell, I have booked an appointment with the GP for tomorrow. Fairenuff yes I'm from the UK I am based in London. Cory in regards of me saying there is nothing for him to be unhappy about I was referring to before he started experiencing hearing voices.

I have asked my daughter did she ask him why he didn't speak to me or his dad, she told me he said because he didn't want to get told off, I am soft on him and rarely tell him off so I don't know why he thinks that. There is no back story what so ever we just don't want to upset him. I tried to speak to him this morning about the voices but he just won't open up, I feel as if he is scared.

OP posts:
GimmeDaBoobehz · 13/01/2014 16:27

He probably is scared.

Perhaps 'Joseph' is telling him he shouldn't tell you? I know this sounds strange, but that can happen with voices they can be very frightening.

When I was younger I used to hallucinate at night time. Things coming towards me, normally faces without bodies. I never actually found out what the problem was but I used to scream the house down. The police were called once as the nextdoor neighbour presumed I was being abused or something.

It's really difficult to know what to do for the best but I would go to the doctor sooner than later. Here is a list of some causes of hallucinations in young children:

  • Imagination
  • Stress
  • Traumatic experience of some kind
  • Depression
  • A psychotic episode that doesn't necessarily mean they are going to develop a mental health problem.
  • Schizophrenia

It's important that your son goes to see a member of CAHMS they deal with lots of children and have probably dealt with children that have been as quiet as your son.

Is your son a particularly sleepy child? Is there any other strange symptoms you have noticed?

mamadoc · 13/01/2014 17:54

I'm a psychiatrist but not a Children's one.

It would indeed be almost unheard of to have psychotic mental illness eg schizophrenia at such a young age but he has a lot of symptoms of depression which is certainly possible. hearing a 'voice' with negative content can go along with that.

You absolutely must take him to the GP. He is too young to choose for himself about this. If he won't go then you go on your own and tell the GP your concerns. He needs to see CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health services).

Anything going on at school or at home that might have triggered him to feel so bad?

Selks · 13/01/2014 18:41

To be honest OP I would not focus on talking about the voices unless your son wants to, instead encourage him to open up about how he is feeling in general - what he might be worried or feeling bad about. Right now he needs to learn that it is ok for him to be open about his feelings and that you won't be cross with him whatever he says. You may know that he can open up, but children can become very fearful about doing so. But don't put pressure on him to talk just create an environment that helps him feel comfortable to do so. Also you need to contain any anxiety you may have about him - he won't open up if he feels that by doing so he will upset or worry you.
Mainly he needs to still believe he is 'normal' (which of course he is) and the best way to do this is to very much keep up life as normal with plenty of time for conversation about things other than these difficulties, plenty of positive activities if possible, and positive attention and praise.
Good luck, and let us know how you go on.

mamadoc · 13/01/2014 18:43

Symptoms of depression:

Feeling low
No pleasure or joy in anything
Lack of energy
Can't concentrate

Sleep disturbed
Poor appetite

Feelings of:
Worthlessness
Guilt
Hopelessness
Suicidal thoughts

It seems to fit doesn't it?
There may be no 'reason' or there may be something he hasn't told you about eg bullying at school or, although I hesitate to say it, abuse.

He may open up if he feels safe. Can you or DH take him for a drive (sometimes easier if no eye contact)? Reassure him that whatever he says no-one is going to be angry with him.

mamadoc · 13/01/2014 18:45

Oops cross post with sells

Original poster
OakLuz · 13/01/2014 19:03

GimmeDaBoobehz he is not a particularly sleepy child, but if we are going on a long drive he will always go a sleep rather than play a game or watch a film on the iPad, he also goes to sleep early. Mamadoc nothing is going on at home or school, my husband works long hours, I have told him what is going on and he has just said take him to a psycharist but I will ask him to take him out along.

He has been very tearful today and stil doesn't want to eat, he is asleep now. Hopefully tomorrow there will be some change

OP posts:
cory · 13/01/2014 21:04

I would let the GP do a general health check first to rule out anything physical. We wasted a lot of time trying to get hold of a psychiatrist when all dd needed was antiobiotics.

Poor little lad, it must be terrible for him. Sad

Dd was 16 but she was absolutely distraught. Her voices were saying horribly negative things about her.

Liara · 13/01/2014 21:11

Gimme, I had exactly the same as a child (all the way up to my early 20s, actually). Do you know what caused yours? Just curious, I have never come across someone before that had the same (specifically the disembodied faces - or sometimes skulls, in my case).

I never knew why I had mine, but they just stopped in the first year or so after I got married.

Selks · 13/01/2014 21:22

Yes Cory is quite right - make sure GP rules out possible physical health reasons, along side doing the CAMHS referral.

WhoNickedMyName · 13/01/2014 21:25

Auditory hallucinations plus paranoia that his food is being poisoned plus deteriorating behaviour, in addition to the anxiety that you've mentioned undoubtedly warrants a CAMHS referral.

Is he on any physical health medication at all?

MerryMarigold · 13/01/2014 21:36

Make sure you write a list. I would prefer to go without ds as you can be more open and let the gp know how worried you are. If he's there it is harder because you bed to think about how he will interpret things. I have an 8yo ds who has some self esteem problems but nothing on this scale. I think they need to look at physical causes, possible aspergers or asd, plus talking. And you need to sleep with hun the next few nights do you can be there for him when he is panicking.

Original poster
OakLuz · 13/01/2014 21:57

WhoNickedMyName He is not on any medication, he is healthy but underweight. MerryMarigold I will right the list tonight, I did ask him if he wanted to sleep in my bed tonight with us he said no, my daughter asked if he wanted to sleep in her bed, he said he wants to sleep alone, I have been checking on him every 30 minutes. I just hope that this problem will get sorted out, it hurts so deep to see him like this

OP posts:
MerryMarigold · 13/01/2014 22:04

I know it's hard but try not to be too anxious as he will sense it which could just add to his anxiety. Be strong, practical and loving. hope it goes well. Do get emergency appointment.

Original poster
OakLuz · 13/01/2014 22:13

MerryMarigold write sorry. I have an appointment booked for him tomorrow, I have made him aware of this, I just hope that he will come with me, because I don't want to force him, there is so many things I have to write down tonight, he was shivering in the house today whilst the heating was on high I didn't know whether to ask him if he was cold, do you think that has something to do with the way he is feeling?

Do you think it would also be better for him, if me and him spent time alone from my other 3 children? Maybe it I took him out somewhere? I know it seems like I don't have a clue, I just don't know what to do, and I'm not really getting any support from my husband it is almost like he is not interested he has just suggested I take him to a psychiatrist

OP posts:
MerryMarigold · 13/01/2014 22:27

It sounds a bit dysfunctional. Your dh needs to take responsibility for his child. No wonder he has issues, poor kid. What he really needs is a dad who emotionally connects with him, spends quality time with him. I suggest you have a very strong word with your dh because his attitude isn't helping. In the meantime, explain to your ds that the voices are probably because something isn't working quite right in his body and the doc can help it go away.

MerryMarigold · 13/01/2014 22:30

Do you think your ds is after attention? Just a thought after the way you mention his dad is. It may not even be consciously attention seeking. Sure the docs and a lot of love and attention from you can help.

Original poster
OakLuz · 13/01/2014 22:43

MerryMarigold My DH life is going to work and coming home, he is there but never does things with us as a family, we take family holidays 3 times a year but he never comes, it feels as he is not part of the family, by the time he comes home from work the boys are already asleep, it is something that we have also just got used to. I do ask him to spend time with the two of them but his meaning of spending time with the children is taking them somewhere buying them something then bringing them home.

My two eldest children are 15 and don't require any attention, and my other two boys are 7&8 I do take them out as much as I can but it feels as if my 8 year old isn't getting any enjoyment out of anything.

OP posts:
Footle · 13/01/2014 23:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Goldmandra · 14/01/2014 00:38

My DDs both have Asperger's and both have experienced similar voices and other auditory hallucinations at times of increased stress and anxiety. These times have generally been due to problems in school which we didn't always know about.

CAMHS felt it was just a stressed imagination.

It stopped when their levels of stress were reduced by better school provision.

Your DS is clearly struggling with something but the voices may well just be a symptom of stress and nothing sinister. I hope you get it all cleared up soon.

RockinHippy · 14/01/2014 01:01

I have had auditory & visual hallucinations with a kidney infection & again, it also causes fever which could explain his shivering in a warm room.

Our friends AS DS fits with your DSs feelings of not being normal & a lot if other traits you mention - he also became very depressed & felt inadequate, which manifested itself in a similar way to what you describe, including the voices feeding the negative vision of himself. Luckily his DGM is a SN professional, he took over

Turned out it was all a stress reaction to him being bullied at school

Good luck to you & your DS, hope it goes well tomorrow

BillyBanter · 14/01/2014 01:58

I hope you get to the bottom of it soon. Good luck for tomorrow.