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Question: I suffer from social anxiety. It seems that in some situations people are calling me fish or bitch. I have confronted these people and they say I am hearing things they would never say that. A few times I have actually seen their lips move. The so called voices don't sound like they are in my head and usually sound like the voice of the person in the room. It is only when I am around people this happens. I have tried to let it stop bothering me because I feel that that is why they are calling me those names. An example of heard is tonight. At my aunts house I mentioned that I did not see why I should feel bad about mean things that others may say when it is their actions not mine and I prefer just to leave and come back when they are in a better mood. I swear it sounded like my aunt called me a fish after that. I have confronted her in the past but she says she would never say anything like that and that I should get my ears checked. She gets really mad and hurt when I ask. So am I hearing things? Is that how hearing voices works? why would random people I meet say the same thing. (I live in a small town)
Brief Answer:
Could be occurring due to hallucinations
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
I can understand your concern. In my opinion the complaints you are having are not the part of social anxiety. You are hearing voices of real people that are coming from outside and are appearing real so in such case possibility of auditory hallucinations should be ruled out.
In auditory hallucinations individuals start hearing voices of other people. These voices are derogatory voices most of the times. I'd advise you to consult a psychiatrist for evaluation and proper opinion.
I'd like to know-
- Do you hear these voices from unknown people also? If you hear these voices, have you ever checked why would unknown people abuse you? Have you ever confronted unknown people also?
- Do you ever have feelings that people will harm you or conspiring against you? Any feeling that someone is spying on you? Any feelings that people laugh on you?
- Why are you taking antidepressants? Please elaborate if possible.
Please provide me details in follow up.
Thanks
Could be occurring due to hallucinations
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic
I can understand your concern. In my opinion the complaints you are having are not the part of social anxiety. You are hearing voices of real people that are coming from outside and are appearing real so in such case possibility of auditory hallucinations should be ruled out.
In auditory hallucinations individuals start hearing voices of other people. These voices are derogatory voices most of the times. I'd advise you to consult a psychiatrist for evaluation and proper opinion.
I'd like to know-
- Do you hear these voices from unknown people also? If you hear these voices, have you ever checked why would unknown people abuse you? Have you ever confronted unknown people also?
- Do you ever have feelings that people will harm you or conspiring against you? Any feeling that someone is spying on you? Any feelings that people laugh on you?
- Why are you taking antidepressants? Please elaborate if possible.
Please provide me details in follow up.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes it happens from people I don't know but may know about me as I live in a small town. It is usually around people I know. I have wondered why people that I don't know could do a thing and only viable answers was hallucinations or that some person could have spread some rumor via social media sites. I have not found evidence of it but I am not good with that stuff. I don't fee people will harm or conspiring against me. I have at times felt I was being laughed but it is not common and I try to be funny so sometimes I want them to. I do not confront people I don't know. I don't know them and I would be to embarrassed if I was wrong. I no longer confront people I do know as it just makes them mad and it upsets me more. I have never had this problem before and it started after I got into and argument with my co-worker and best friend. After for some reason they seemed to start verbally harass me. One admitted to it an apologized after I turned them in. I was taking antidepressants due to depression. Not sure the anxiety part was addressed in full. I was told my depression was situational due to divorce and stuff. My main suffering has been the anxiety. I have been accused of paranoia due to the fact I always worry that people are talking about me. Usually after people have stopped in mid conversation or stuff similar to that. In hind sight I realize that may be due to the fact I was staring at them first. Sorry for the digression there.
Brief Answer:
Most probably these sounds are hallucinatory sounds
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Do these sounds persist during sleep also or when you are alone? Do these sounds disappear on blocking the ears?
If the sounds are present even you are alone or even at blocking ears then most likely these are hallucinatory voices. Apart from the anti depressants in my opinion there is need to add some low dose antipsychotic drug like Olanzapine or Quetiapine. Low doses will help to reduce these sounds and will improve your symptoms. The worries that people talk about you could also be part of that psychopathology. Feelings that people have used social media and you found no proof also points towards some psychotic sequel. So talk to your doctor and discuss about the drugs I've mentioned.
Thanks.
Most probably these sounds are hallucinatory sounds
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
Do these sounds persist during sleep also or when you are alone? Do these sounds disappear on blocking the ears?
If the sounds are present even you are alone or even at blocking ears then most likely these are hallucinatory voices. Apart from the anti depressants in my opinion there is need to add some low dose antipsychotic drug like Olanzapine or Quetiapine. Low doses will help to reduce these sounds and will improve your symptoms. The worries that people talk about you could also be part of that psychopathology. Feelings that people have used social media and you found no proof also points towards some psychotic sequel. So talk to your doctor and discuss about the drugs I've mentioned.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No I never hear them when alone or while I sleep. Only when I am around people. That is why I am asking if I am hearing voices because it seems odd that I don't hear them when I am alone.
Brief Answer:
In such case this could be due to severe anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
As sounds are not persistent and are occurring in specific situations only so these could be related to heightened anxiety resulting in auditory hallucinations. Though evaluation is needed to rule out any psychotic cause. Even in such situation I'd advise to take Olanzapine or Quetiapine in low doses as I've mentioned in my last answer. This will reduce the anxiety as well as these voices.
Thanks.
In such case this could be due to severe anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello again
As sounds are not persistent and are occurring in specific situations only so these could be related to heightened anxiety resulting in auditory hallucinations. Though evaluation is needed to rule out any psychotic cause. Even in such situation I'd advise to take Olanzapine or Quetiapine in low doses as I've mentioned in my last answer. This will reduce the anxiety as well as these voices.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Okay. Thanks. I will. You have been very helpful.
Brief Answer:
Thanks and take care
Detailed Answer:
Thanks and take care
Thanks and take care
Detailed Answer:
Thanks and take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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