[dead__man]

Sorry if this seems long and a little scattered...

My wife (mid 30's) for the past 5-6 years is having problems, she says that she is "hearing" people talking about her....

A little history

We moved into our new house about 3 years ago. After living in a few apartments which we also had similar problems (hearing voices). It seemed to have started in the apartment before that one the tenants that lived above her followed her from room-to-room.

About two years ago my wife started telling me that she is hearing voices (again) in the bathroom that are basically mocking her. Telling her she's fat and/or ugly (which she is neither). The house was build by a developer who lives and the end of our cul-de-sac (he also built the other 5 houses around us). She believes (knows) that through the house is bug and being video taped (put in by the developer). We haven't been intimate in a few years cause of the fears that we will be recorded (and also she is believing that she is fat and ugly and i don't want her). I have asked her to take a tape recorded with her to 'tape' these voices and she won't (cause she says the tape recorder won't record it). I don't hear anything when she say the voices are talking. I cannot discuss any personal things (cause they will hear it), go on any vacations together or leave the house for any extend period of time fearing they will come into the house and look through our stuff, plant more (or remove) listening or taping devices. At times while in stores she thinks people are talking about her or looking at her as if they know her. When we do leave the house we cannot talk of were we are going cause my wife believes the car was bugged (planted when the car gets repaired), also she keeps a watch to see if we are being followed. Its gotten to the point that she believes all the houses that are around us are in on this and watching/listing to us. I asked her to find a service that can scan the house for these devices, but she gives me the excuse that they will be paid off by the builder to report they find nothing. She gets upset with me cause she says I don't believe her, I do believe her. But for me to get the authorities involved I need proof. I've comb through attic looking for wires that should be their, but found nothing. I also suggested that they go and talk to someone about this and she got very angry about it. She now want to move to a new house, but my fear is this problem will only follow us. The only trauma she has had (that I know of) is that she was raped by one of her old boyfriends (early 20's). I love her dearly and this is putting such a strain on our relationship. What can I do?

[wi_fighter]

Hi dead_man. Welcome to PC.

If you scroll down a bit, there is a schizophrenia and psychosis support forum. The very first thread in there (one with a blue background) is a welcome thread from DocJohn. He has a link in it for resources. Maybe you can find something in there for now until someone comes along with some more words of wisdom for you.

i agree with WI.......pat

[dead__man]

thanks, ill take a look.

[eskielover]

dead_man welcome to psychcentral (PC),

I am also in agreement with wi. I would also add that you could start doing research on the subject using the search engine on your computer. There are so many sites that cover any subject & questions that you have. I used the computer to research my Mothers cancer & conditions that would happen after surgery...they were right on. I found that you look at hundreds of sites & pull out the information...when several sites say the same thing, you probably have good information.

I do know how your wife feels when she thinks you don't believe her because she may not believe herself at times. When I was going through the trauma that happened last year with the home care RN for my Mother, I was telling my Pdoc, psychologist, & husband about the things that were happening. I got looks from my husband that he didn't believe what I said & comments from my Pdoc that I wasn't able to see things clearly because of the massive weight loss I was having. I know I felt like I was going crazy all during this time because things would disappear right under my nose & would be found only when the RN started looking for them too. I also saw her following me in my car on my way to the police station. I had to be going crazy....I never had any problems with being paranoid in my life....I am always the one in reality. I am glad I focused on what happened because I dod go to the police & they assured me that I was correct about her. Unfortunately, she successfully avoidid them in being caught.

It sounds like your wife does have a REAL problem since it is not a one time occurance & is affecting her daily functioning & relationship with you. It is good that you are aware of this, & sounds like she really needs help (not like me where it really was happening). It is great that you are there to support her & hope that with any information you gather, you can find a way to encourage her gently to get the help she needs. It is hard being in the position where you can see something happening & progressing all the time while ruining your relationship. It is also hard because you can't force help on her either since she is considered to be competent to make her own decisions. I am sure that even your gentelist suggestions come across as an attack. It is a tough situation to be in & maybe a professional can give you some suggestions on what you need to do to help.

I is good to get feedback from the people here....there are many that can give you insights to what you are going through, especially under the specific forum that deals with these issues. I hope you get some information that can set you onto the right path.

Please keep us updated....people here are the greatest for advice, sympathy, & just an ear to listen with,

Welcome again,
Debbie

[dead__man]

thanks for the feedback. I didn't know what to call what she might have. I and doing some research on it now.

We had an argument on sunday and monday about the people interfereing in our lives which went no were. Tuesday my wife is acting normal as if nothing happened the last two days.

If any break throughs ill let you know.

Again thanks.