What methods?

[Sue]

I use lots of methods to help distract myself when the voices won't leave me alone. I would be interested to know what methods other people use. I do need to distract myself because the voices I hear are terrible in their accusations and what they say in general. I would be also interested to hear if people hear their voices externally or internally - my voices are outside of my head sometimes I am surprised others don't hear them too.

 

[Page]

I pop a rubber band that I keep on my wrist and it works! I listen to my favorite music. I read a book. I've been hearing voices for as long as I can remember. They get worse the more stressed I am. These things help me not to feel so stressed. I hope these methods work for you. What methods do you use? Please write back!

Page

 

[Sue]

Hello Page

I use lots of methods, Like you I listen to music, sometimes sticking my finger in my right ear helps, I bargain with the voices to leave me alone, sometimes I do breathing exercises and sometimes I do as they say just to shut them up. I can't concentrate enough to read.

 

[terri]

Morning all

I find that my ears become incredibly itchy just before I begin to hear voices. Also as the voices begin they say they have 'left the door open' or the 'window open' whatever that means!! Who knows, I dont though I'm sure it's nothing to bother about.

Certainly not the windows or doors in my home, it's far too chilly for that and the gas is far too expensive! lol

I also listen to music, read or just talk to friends on the phone if there's no one else around or I just ignore them.

Most of the time they are a pleasure to listen to and I have a very pleasant 'glow' at the same time.

Can't be bad

Have a lovely day

terri

 

[Lou]

I write snotty letters to mental health journals and vent my spleen [but they're good!]

 

[dodecahedron]

Ringing bells.

 

[Kate]

Focussing on the physical sometimes helps - feel the pressure of your feet on the floor, the air moving in and out of your lungs, which muscles are moving and which are still, which tensed, which relaxed.
Making lists longer and longer in my head can help too. Name something from a category starting with each letter of the alphabet in turn (like animals antelope bear cat duck etc)

 

[Dichoso]

"Do not be angry with me," I say calmly and firmly when Shirley is terribly angry with me. I say it over and over and over again and sometimes she will say "okay" or, "I'm not angry with you anymore." or even, "I'm sorry."

I also like to let them know what's going on. I use images to communicate with them along with my words. I will picture the myself being at work and say "I am going to work and you are not. I'm sorry but you can't follow me there. I will pick you up after I get done with work and talk to you then." And then I picture where I will have them stay, perhaps just outside the door.

And then when they bother me at work I say "Not now, dear. Later." I keep saying "I will pick you up later outside." I say all this in my head, though.

It's been working mostly for me.

 

[terri]

I use lots of methods to help distract myself when the voices won't leave me alone. I would be interested to know what methods other people use. I do need to distract myself because the voices I hear are terrible in their accusations and what they say in general. I would be also interested to hear if people hear their voices externally or internally - my voices are outside of my head sometimes I am surprised others don't hear them too.

Hi Sue

How nice to meet you again. I totally sympathise. I think your brill the way you all cope. Keep up the good wok.

Love Tello