Is it normal?

I realize there is no real thing as normal. But I was wondering if anybody else is going through the same thing as me.

I get this sensation that is very hard to define just before the voices start. It's not pleasant, and makes it very hard to concerntrate. As I have Epilepsy (CPS) I don't know if it has something to do with it. My P ísn't sure either. Not that CPS is his field of expertise

Also is anyone else worried about becoming to dependent on their P, or in some way or becoming emotionaly attached ( one sided of course - no wrong doing on P's part ). I conatantly worry there might come a time when I feel I can't do without P's support or counciling. And I don't know if this means it's best that I don't see him anymore.

Would like to hear you post

Dooney

That sort of attachment and/or transference is completely normal, and some pdocs or therapist do not mind of you mention this to them.
Being open and honest is key to effective therapy.
If you see a talk therapist besides a pdoc you may want to talk to the "other" one and your feelings one may be able to help you with this. It wouldn't be like you are talking behind anyone's back, so give it a try if you feel too shy or awkward mentioning your fear.

Please take care and feel free to drop by the forums anytime

Sincerely,

DE

Hi darkeyes thanks for your post. I'm deffinetly going to take your advice, and be open and honest about my concern. I think this is the only way I can forstall and waywould emotions that may arise.

Thankx

Dooney

Well I am Bipolar and I have never had voices, but just be honest with your P. I wish you the best. I did not know Bipolar people could get voices. I am Bipolar 1. Do you know if there is a difference?

Whisper

Hi whisper. I have bp II and CSP. I don't really know why some of us hear voices and others don't. I do know it is not because of the CSP. Sorry I'm not of help. I may ask the forrum?

Dooney

Just want add, I am BP-II (mild), and never heard voices neither has my brother who is Bipolar-I.
Hearing is not commonly associated with Bipolar, but comon with Schizophrenia.
I guess with all the various forms of Bipolar anything can be possible, especially if a person has more than one disorder. There has been cases where some meds can have that sort of side effect, so I'd say talk it over with your pdoc, ask him all the questions you have, jot them on a piece of paper so you do not forget them and then bring them when you go to your next appt. I write things down from time to time to ask my pdoc as well as my family practitioner.
Any good doc appreciates questions and will do their best to answer them.
Again, good luck to all

DE

Bipolar I can occur with psychotic features. There are several sub-categories of BP I. It can be mild, moderate or severe, and can occur with or without psychotic features. So yes it is possible to be bipolar and to be hearing voices. It is also possible to have symptoms of bipolar along with symptoms of schizophrenia -- this is where the Dx of "schizoaffective" comes in. You will need a professional to determine whether you are bipolar with psychotic features or schizoaffective, though.

Hope that helps.

Voices in bipolar disorder?
"There are multiple research studies showing that "voices" can be part of manic (or even psychotic depressed) phases. Goodwin and Jamison published a nifty summary of this in 1990, reviewing 26 different research studies. Their table below shows you, for every 100 patients with clear bipolar mania, how many (what "Frequency") had that symptom, on average, over the 26 studies. Notice that "auditory hallucinations" were seen in 18 out of every 100 patients with mania -- not common, but definitely there. The "range" means that voices were part of mania in48% of the patients in one study (although as rare as only 7%in another study)"

Symptom Frequency(%) Range (%)

Grandiose 47 35-60
delusions

Persecutory/ 28 18-65
paranoid delusions

Auditory 18 7-48
hallucinations

Schneiderian 1st 18 9-34
rank symptoms

"The "Schneiderian" thing means bizarre psychotic symptoms like "thought broadcasting" -- the sense that others can read one's thoughts. The point is the same: there is no doubt that all common forms of psychosis can be part of bipolar disorder. Thus it is not possible to tell "bipolar" from "schizophrenia" on the basis of the types of psychotic symptoms. Instead, one must rely on the presence (now, or in the past) of mood stuff like depression. If someone has psychosis with no history of mood symptoms, they are more likely to have a more schizophrenic-like version of psychosis -- but the best way to tell is to look at several years worth of symptoms, not just symptoms at one particular time. For this, we usually need a family member's help with the "history"."

"Hope that helps.
Dr. Phelps"

http://www.bipolarworld.net/Phelps/ph_2000/ph28.htm

Never heard the term "Schneiderian" before. Where does it come from?? (Who is Schneider?)

I actually do thought-broadcasting on a semi-regular basis, both deliberately and unintentionally. It's stronger when I'm manic, of course, but unless I'm really numb and shut down it's a fairly regular occurrence. I'm not really sure why they think this is psychotic though.

On the other hand, I rarely actually hear an "out-loud" voice; when I get "communications" they are usually telepathic or electro-chemical "energy signatures" in the brain. Sometimes I'll "hear" with my "mind's ear" similar to how people see with their "mind's eye" -- which technically isn't an hallucinatory phenomenon as far as I know.

Hi everyone thank you for replying.

DE I'm glad to hear that you and your brother don't hear voices, it is not pleasent to live with, especialy when they are telling you to kill your loved ones. (It is very hard to resist them - they are so real) They started long before I started any meds, so I know they are not the cause, but thank you for the advice.

Allautumn thank you for giving me a lot to think about. I will be talking about all of this to my pdoc.

Malady, sorry to hear you hear voice and suffer other forms of hallucinations. (I see things as well as hear) please understand that eventhough they feel reall, they are not.

Sincerly
Dooney