Do I hear voices, or do I just have an unusual way of thinking?

Unusual Beliefs
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Hi everyone. I’m new to this forum and wondered if it’s somewhere I could get some clarity on my situation.

I do not “hear” the voices in my head, they just sound like thoughts, and I know (even when listening to them) that they only exist as a part of my mind. I don’t think this is the same as having intrusive thoughts, though, from what I’ve read.

They have complex personalities, and are only “good” or “bad” in the same sense as people are. There are rarely more than four, and I know those four well.
They know me personally, and we speak as though we are close (although they’re not necessarily friendly). They don’t sound creepy or unnatural, but just talk like people do.

One or more of them have conversations with me or each other, rather than mumbling or narrating my actions. I don’t feel I control them, and they are separate from my own inner voice, which I use to talk to them.

As well as hearing voices, I frequently feel extremely low (I have considered that I may have depression, but haven’t seeked a diagnosis). Although the voices don’t command me to do anything, one of them in particular suggests things such as self harm and often persuades me to take its advice. That voice is the one I worry most about, as it is very manipulative and hurtful.

I haven’t experienced any sort of major trauma in my life, so the voices aren’t a result of that.

My question is: are these voices something abnormal, or am I simply over thinking something perfectly ordinary? Do I really hear voices, or do I just have an unusual way of processing thoughts? I would love to hear about similar experiences from those diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses.
I’m not in a position to seek help or a diagnosis unless I really think there is cause for concern, and merely googling symptoms has been largely unhelpful, so I hope that some of you can help to shed a little light on the situation.
My apologies for the length of this post, but I would be perfectly happy to explain my experiences further if I have been unclear about anything.

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Welcome to the forum! I think it’s great your thinking about this from all perspectives and you’re open to the possibility that this is now schizophrenia. A lot of people who come here seem to want us to diagnose them with schizoprenia.

It could just be internal dialogue. It’s hard to say. You really would need a professional opinion on the matter to get to the bottom of it.

If you’re feeling depressed, there’s a lot of help out there for you and I would recommend speaking to someone, even just your GP to start with, about it. It’s a horrible way to feel and it doesn’t have to be.

I’m glad you don’t feel at risk of suicide. But the self harm element is alarming.

I think the best thing you could do would eb to start keeping s journal of what the voices are saying and how you’re feeling. Write down what else is happening when you hear the voices too. All of this information can be really helpful of you do decide to seek professional help and at the very least, you might see a pattern forming of when you hear them and what is going on and you might be able to reduce the environmental influences on the voices.

Stick around and ask a lot of questions and read a lot of threads. It can be really helpful. Take care and keep in touch.

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Hello. It sounds like you really need to see a doctor, if one of these personalities can convince you to hurt yourself. Not everyone hears their voices out loud. For many people, they exist only inside their own minds. What you are describing sounds a lot like psychotic symptoms. If you go to a doctor, they will be able to work out a treatment plan for you. Treatment usually involves medication and therapy.

Don’t be worried. Lots of people experience psychotic symptoms at some point in their lives. Most fully recover and go on to live totally normal lives. You just have to commit to treatment, which means taking your medicine exactly as prescribed and working through things in therapy. The earlier you see a doctor, the more quickly you will recover.

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I should add that going to see a doctor will also provide differential diagnoses. There are some medical conditions, like brain tumor (and I don’t mean to scare you) that can mimic schizophrenia. Really important for you to rule things like that out!

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Welcome, offers fruit basket.

When you do see a doctor they maybe not one you get in with or they maybe but you need to be completely honest with them is a bit scary to do so.

Like you Di here you can write out all what you feel, hear and go thought I make it easier to tell them about it all.

I get the inner thoughts and voices as well; tho mine are a lot lot quieter now is good if really weird after so long with them!

Good luck and be well take care hip hip hoa!

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Thank you so much for the warm welcome (and the fruit bowl).

I already write down some of the conversations in my head as a kind of coping mechanism, but I never considered actually keeping a journal for future reference. Thank you for that advice.

As I’ve said, it’s not very easy for me to bring myself to see my GP about this at the moment, but I will certainly consider it more seriously knowing that you’ve all recommended it.

It’s also very comforting to know that people understand where I’m coming from.
Thanks for your support and advice.

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Writing us a great when to cope and deal with the thoughts I write a lot as well for work.

I keep a general note book for day to day stuff and venting in and use I to look back at over time and see how much better I gotten.
And how my English is gotten too.

And writing can help clear the thoughts form your head getting them out.

Best wishes

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Sounds like you believe they are a voice of another internal entity. Therefore I would say it could be psychosis, yet you still have insight that they are a product of your own mind. My voices are the same way. I would definitely recommend you see a doctor, especially to rule out psychical causes such as a tumor.

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I hear voices inside my head sometimes, but they are not my thoughts, they are separate from me. (I have paranoid sz)

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I have a voice/thoughts that speak to me in my head. I have delusional disorder and I take meds and go to therapy. I would say that you are definitely experiencing something unusual (compared to the typical person) and I agree with the idea of keeping a journal and considering telling a Dr. when you are comfortable. Good Luck. and Welcome :slight_smile:

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That’s the same as me and several others on here. It’s technical name is thought insertion, which is you have thoughts in your head but you feel like they don’t come from you.