Voices

The past months I've had trouble with "voices" in my head instead of my usual intrusive thoughts.
They're coming from inside my head, it doesn't sound like they're coming from the outside - they're unwanted and sometimes unexpected.
It's difficult to explain, they work like normal thoughts in the sense that it's my voice, but I can't control it.
Sometimes there's multiple versions of my own voice arguing which makes me lose focus.

The voices appear at the times you would expect - when in public, when I'm talking to someone or after it feels like I've embarassed myself.

Even though I'm not controlling the voices I'm not very surprised at the things they say - I've heard the "you should kill yourself" classic many times already.
If I'm having an intrusive thought and think "I wouldn't do that" there's an immediate "yes you would".

The worst part is that I've noticed that I actually act on these voices in a way - they're the reason I haven't told my therapist ("you're lying", "you deserve this" etc).
Sometimes it becomes difficult to trust people and reach out for company.

I'm a bit scared because of this - a month ago I just thought this was a bit annoying and I could ignore it.
At this point I still know it's all in my head, but it's actually affecting me (isolating myself, not making efforts to tell my therapist), so I have no idea how far this will go.

Does anyone else have this or something similar? Also, how do I shut these voices out when I'm spending time with friends or family? At those times they're the worst ):

I have had many kinds of voices. the voices that came out of no where and began suddenly (were not there all my life) my treatment providers called it psychosis, (hallucinations \delusions) usually having my medications changed or adjusted solved the problem.

my suggestion contact your or a treatment provider in your location. they can assess why you are hearing voices suddenly with in the last 2 months and get you treated for it so that you will feel better.

Hello. I do believe I have something similar. I guess the only voice I have is considered the "angel". The "angel's" name is Kate. Kate only comes out after these intrusive thoughts to help me cope with them. Kate has a whole history too. Kate has PTSD, and she gives me advice on what to do when I have these thoughts, and for life in general. When I'm more stressed and lonely, the more likely she is to come out.

For me, before I continue, my intrusive thoughts are mainly images. They are like a movie to me. I am a visual learner, so it was no surprise to me that they are visual. I don't have a voice fighting me, but voices fighting back at.

Anyways, some stuff Kate has told me is that these images aren't real. She tells me nice things about me and tells me stuff about her life. She tells me how she deals with life and how she manages to get through a day. Though she has PTSD, there is a lot of overlap between OCD and PTSD. Like the images I get are usually violent and what caused her to have PTSD is a violent event, so she tells me what to do. Like that it will never happen and that its there to create fear, but the fear is actually the fear. We fear having these images at are a fear in its own way. We must not fear the fear. Nothing will change in that sense.

In terms of your friends and family, I am not sure if it is possible to fully shut it out. Is there a reason why they're stronger with family or friends?

This is quite hard to deal with indeed, but your should tell your therapist. The thoughts are awful, and again, the only way to get rid of the fear of fear is by getting rid of the initial fear. You must tell them. It would be a good first step to reducing the thoughts. Good luck on your journey .

Social anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, and panic attacks

Lexapro, 10 mg

Thanks for the reply!

I think it gets worse when I'm social because it's "something I'm not supposed to do".
When I've been happy for a while the voices get more aggressive. It's like I'm being punished for trying to feel better.

Okay, just one thing. I have compulsions having these intrusive thoughts. One of the things is that I have to say "stop" a bunch of times. When I told a CYW this, she said that you shouldn't tell it to "stop" because it is saying it's something I shouldn't be doing. You may say it's something you shouldn't be doing, but it's something you can't control. You're telling your mind that it's mean. Yes you will say these thoughts are, but your mind overall isn't. It also lowers your self-esteem and happiness.

I'm sure that it's not trying to punish you. It just wants to be the top, and by fearing it, it becomes the top. When you aren't obsessing about it, it wants you to because it wants control. You need to not give it that control. It will get even worse if you give it to them. I suggest you tell it to your therapist or whoever to get the services you need to help them. Good luck .

Social anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, and panic attacks

Lexapro, 10 mg