[RisuNeko]

So I'm kind of confused about something. I've been having "external halllucinations" i.e. hallucinations that sound like they're coming from somewhere like another room or downstairs or right behind me. But lately I've been having voices that sound like they're coming from inside my head. Are those hallucinations too or are they just some weird form of intrusive thought that has a kind of sound component? I'm new to these so I'm wondering what the deal is. Is there such a thing as internal and external hallucinations?

[insilence]

the sounds we hear are regardless of sounding outside or inside are all inside. think of it like this..computers come with an option of 3d sound, where speakers can take a certain signal and make it sound like its all around you.

the same is happening with our ear/brain, these sounds can simulate coming from behind walls, or from another room. the way to test it is to make a bath, and submerge your ears, and try to test the voices to say something while submerged. You will hear them clearly, unlike the real sounds from a tv or people.

the fact that this is possible for me at least points to an intelligence and intent.

[RisuNeko]

What do you mean by intelligence and intent. My auditory hallucinations are always random words or phrases that don't mean anything to me.

[insilence]

i hear directed intention aimed at me, they call my name, abuse me verbally, try to hurt me with shocks, pinching etc..

so to me its intelligent. they would bang on walls, make footstep sounds around me at night, car reving sounds..much more. i think its messing with you like it is me, same with anyone who hears anything not there.

[PsychAdvice]

I can't post links right now, but I came across a pretty good explanation on the definition of audio hallucinations on a psychology website:

Auditory hallucinations are false perceptions of sound. They have been described as the experience of internal words or noises that have no real origin in the outside world and are perceived to be separate from the person’s mental processes. Auditory hallucinations have veridical perceptual qualities in the sense that individuals are often convinced of the objective reality of the experience. In most cases, auditory hallucinations are unintentional, intrusive, and unwanted. Affected individuals may or may not have insight into the hallucinations. A person with insight will acknowledge that the experience is abnormal and will report less interference with daily activities than a person with no insight.

[RisuNeko]

I do hear footsteps behind me when I walk a lot of the time and I turn around and no one is there. I guess I understand what you mean by intent. Like the hallucinations have some seeming intention for you to do something or think something.

But I'm still confused about the internal external thing. Does anyone else have hallucinations that sound like they're coming from inside their head and some that sound like they're outside your head?

[Sometimes psychotic]

http://forums.psychcentral.com/schiz...head-both.html

Here is a thread about this from a few years ago....

[RisuNeko]

That definitely answers my question. Thanks! Good to know I'm not alone.