Auditory Hallucinations - carer perspective

[TalkToTheHand123]

Hi all. I'm trying to help someone with auditory hallucinations which is a voice basically bossing her about to quite an extreme level. She says her doctors and her cpn don't offer her advice, just say she is doing well. I can only really go off what she says really. Anyone have any good advice on how to help her?

My advice would be to pay close attention to sleep, stress reduction, diet(including hydration) and exercise. Be ruthless in pursuing optimising her experience in those key areas and the intrusion may abate to a more manageable level. Her Drs sound sensible though their delivery may have left her feeling misunderstood and unsupported.

She had a good cry which seemed to be a bit of a release for now. It does seem tiredness is quite a factor. The alcohol doesn't help I don't think.

DB used to go to a hearing voices support group.

Has she been thoroughly medically assessed because auditory hallucinations can have physical causes?

She needs to completely cut alcohol or drugs as they can be a trigger. However if she's a heavy drinker she needs to do that under medical supervision.

If medication doesn't work, then she needs to do everything she can holistically such as good diet, low stress, exercise and a support system.

How much is she drinking do you think @TalkToTheHand123 ?
Auditory hallucinations can be caused by alcohol, most commonly during withdrawal.
I appreciate its not your place to police her alcohol intake but maybe discussing how stopping/cutting down could help?It'll in turn improve her sleep & overall mood.
Alcohol is a poison after all.

Hi all. She's not alway honest. I believe she drinks between 2 and 4 cans, 2 or 3 times per week.

I believe the voices started by recreation drug use many years ago. I don't think the alcohol is the cause, more just makes it worse.

She's been warned the alcohol is not good for her, especially being on strong medication, but she thinks it's the only fun in her life and without it, she doesn't have much of a life.

she thinks it's the only fun in her life and without it, she doesn't have much of a life.

Is she getting any help for depression? Hallucinations might be the scariest symptom, but if the depression is driving alcohol use, which is making the voice worse, then that's the thing to target.

Is the GP/CPN aware of the voices? Does she have a diagnosis like schizophrenia?

My DB has paranoid schizophrenia. He started to get a lot more confidence when he did Recovery College and a WRAP plan (wellness recovery action plan). He then started mentoring other people.

That's really interesting re. Alcohol and drug use.

Potentially CBD could be a route (assuming it's not alcohol dependency or drug addiction).

Also a good night sleep always helps.

DB is also on antidepressants alongside antipsychotics - the former helped his mood a lot when he started them.

I don't manage to do this very often but taking him out is good - exposure to different non alcohol related environments.

I wouldn't say she was depressed just doesn't have any real hobbies. She occasionally goes swimming, but usually goes to visit family, one where there she drinks alcohol, the other where she doesn't.

The voices only occur at her property. Her doctor is aware of the voices, but I think she plays a lot of it down so she doesn't get sectioned. She had a good cry the other day due to the voices getting too much which seemed to help, so may recommend this approach. Her current one is to have loud arguements with it.

She doesn't seem interested in CBT or councelling.

It's very strange that she only suffers psychosis at her property. Has she been diagnosed with anything such as schizophrenia?

She has yes and is prescribed medication for it.

I thought it strange too and thought she was making it up before I met her. I think when she is out she's distracted more, whereas at home she doesn't have that.

It's difficult to know what's going on because schizophrenia can be complex. She might find some support at the Hearing Voices Network https://www.hearing-voices.org/

She really needs to stop drinking.

Thanks. She does try and limit her drinking which is the best she is capable of doing. I don't think she's intersted in groups, but will keep trying. I think so far the best I can do is encourage her to rest as much as she can, try keep a lid of her drinking and exercise and diet.

Sounds great. The problem with alcohol is that it can trigger her episodes and contradict her medication. However there's nothing you can do if she insists on drinking.

Things to do would be walking, cafes, activities that keep her occupied if she doesn't experience the noise away from home.

Thanks. It's just when we are at her flat which she has to be at at some point. I think I will cook her a big meal when it starts as if it's like me, the food will send her to sleep.

How about cards, a board game, puzzles, crafts, a box set, listening to music or podcasts?

Once she starts talking to the voice there is no distracting her and it's just so draining to try. She just says no or ignores you, fully engages with this voice. I find the only thing to do at the moment is to go to the room and wait until she is finished or the shift ends.

I had the opportunity to ask a mental health specialist on ideas but didn't as I didn't think she would have any ideas to help, although I may ask next time maybe.

Unfortunately OP there's nothing you can do without her being on board. If she doesn't want to engage with any strategies, then just let her talk to the voices. It's good to listen in case she's spiralling. I hope it goes well.