I'm not sure if this is the correct category to pose this question under, but since my main "label" is anxiety, I figured I'd give it a shot.

I don't sleep well at all....for years. I think it is ingrained as a self-protective mechanism. Even though I've been separated from my husband for a number of years now and the kids and I are safe, he used to do things to me in bed......such as smothering with a pillow (which was bearable because I could get my head turned just a little and contort my mouth in a way that allowed some air in), and his favorite was suffocating (wrapping his hands around my neck and being so angry (while I couldn't breathe in, breathe out, swallow, or make a single sound....the throat is completely closed off. And when he would be done, my throat felt like the size of a pencil and I would have to just keep swallowing and swallowing). Among other things, those were the two worse that he did in bed.

So when I "sleep" now, I am always awake as well. I may be following somewhat of a dream, but I can still hear the cat padding into my bedroom before he jumps up beside me to have his belly rubbed. I'll sleep for a few minutes, but I'm just always aware. I'm not scared or anxious. I feel perfectly safe in my home because I always pick out an apartment that is practically impossible to break into (unless you're Spiderman or can kick through metal doors and frames). But my brain just will not let me sleep, even with countless sleeping pills that I've tried. Maybe this should have been posted under PTSD. I don't know.

ANYWAYS......my question is about AUDITORY hallucinations. I have woken up (if you want to call it that) to someone urgently whispering "Mummy", "Mum", or "Sandra". And I immediately open my eyes and ask, "What?" It is the oddest thing. The urgent whisper sounds OUTSIDE my head....like someone is actually talking....not like a dream or anything. It doesn't scare me. Makes me feel rather foolish for saying, "What?", in the middle of the night! Lol. Probably freaks the cat out.

And I live alone. My son moved out....again.....about a month ago. And my daughter stays with her grandparents during the school year because she likes the school system better in that area then where I live.

Only my daughter calls me "Mummy", and only my son calls me "Mum". My sister and mother usually call me "Sandy", but mum does call me "Sandra" as well.....I kind-of think it's her voice.

Do you answer your auditory hallucinations? Lol. It's just real odd. I'd be interested to know how many people "wake up" to a voice and respond to it.

God bless,
Sandy