Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Sounds like words
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Sounds like words
by Patient117, Mar 20, 2004 12:00AM
I have been plagued with auditory hallucinations of sounds that sound like words. For example, a fan blowing in the background will sound like words, but it doesn't sound real. I "hear" both the word and the sound of the fan at the exact same time.
I would describe these more as pseudohallucinations in that they do not sound real at all.
Do you know what this could be? Is it a symptom of schizophrenia, narcolepsy, or epilepsy? I have tried taking several antipsychotics and it just keeps getting worse. Also, it's worse when I'm tired, which is why I am having a bad reaction to the antipsychotic meds.
Also, focus is involved. For example, if I focus on reading, playing a video game, or going to school, it wont happen. Only happens at home.
It's also worse when my mind isn't doing anything.
I would just really like your opinion on why my brain is putting words onto sounds and why my focus or stimulus is involved.
I would describe these more as pseudohallucinations in that they do not sound real at all.
Do you know what this could be? Is it a symptom of schizophrenia, narcolepsy, or epilepsy? I have tried taking several antipsychotics and it just keeps getting worse. Also, it's worse when I'm tired, which is why I am having a bad reaction to the antipsychotic meds.
Also, focus is involved. For example, if I focus on reading, playing a video game, or going to school, it wont happen. Only happens at home.
It's also worse when my mind isn't doing anything.
I would just really like your opinion on why my brain is putting words onto sounds and why my focus or stimulus is involved.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Mar 22, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 22, 2004 12:00AM
You describe a very typical fluctuation of symptoms, and it is because when you don't focus on a task, your mind is talking to you. The problem is that you are afraid to know something that is probably quite common and workable, but in your mind has been exaggerated into something fearful.. Your mind keeps on trying to find away around this block so you will finally listen.Go to a therapist who can help you decode these messages and give you a better access and understanding of yourself.
