[Mectriste]

I'm sure you guys are sick of seeing a lot of "newbies" pop in the forums to ask a few questions and then leave a week or so later. While I did come here to ask for some insight, I don't plan on leaving very soon as psychology interests me very much. (Hopefully it's imied at this point that I am in fact new and this is my first post)

I really don't know much about mental health at all but I am beginning to become increasingly more concerned with my own. Hopefully what I'm about to describe won't scary anyone or mark me up as crazy or something but I think I may be experiencing some form of auditory hallucinations of sorts. I don't know how to describe the feelings associated with the experiences but I can recall a specific account from today that made me turn to you guys:

I was standing in the hallway when I heard the voices of several of my peers, I had my back turned to where I perceived them to be and I heard them saying really nasty things about me. At first I chalked it up as chiish gossip... But then the "peers" Began discussing things that NO ONE knows about me. I turned around and only two of the people who's voices I heard were even in the vicinity.

I know this may be easily dismissed as a fluke but this happens daily. Accompanied with an overwhelming fear that I'm being made fun of or watched or stared at or left out or hated EVERYWHERE I go. This is something that's been going on for a couple years now but it's getting pretty dehabilitating as its causing some pretty gnarly insecurities that are preventing me from hanging out with people and talking at social gatherings. Any thoughts or observations? I guess I am here on this forum because I know it's easier to observe a situation rationally from the outside (that's you guys).

Thanks for your time,
Mectriste

[CANDC]

Mectriste, Welcome to Psych Central. Sorry you are struggling with voices. Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist to get a professional diagnosis and meds?

If you want to try lifestyle changes one thing I try is a breathing exercise to focus on breath instead of fighting with the thoughts.

Breathing exercise with natural breathing do not force.
If you are feeling very anxious or angry or just want to calm down, you can try a breathing exercise that takes the attention away from the trigger of anxiety to a simple tool of counting breaths.

Find a comfortable position seated or laying down. Begin to relax your breathing. Silently count 1 on the inhale, and two on the exhale. Then silently count 3 on the inhale and 4 on the exhale. Continue up to 10 or until you lose the count then return to one. No judgement. I sometimes end up at 18 then smile and return to 1. The idea is to focus on the breath and the counting and not get sucked into the anxiety or anger trigger. Also works to quiet the mind.

I have to watch what I eat because foods I eat can stabilize my moods or exaggerate them. A high protein low carb diet with snacks or meals every 3-4 hours will over time reduce my swings. I also avoid alcohol and recreational drugs because those can really increase depression.

Other lifestyle changes that help me are doing yoga, exercises, mindfulness, calm music, and being active on Psych Central.

Glad you are joining us here. There are lots of compassionate people here that can make the load lighter by sharing and caring. Feel free to participate actively at Psych Central.
http://forums.psychcentral.com

Please feel free to private message me or any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.