[greensky602]

I hear voices (auditory hallucinations) that interrupt my studying and I can't focus on what I'm doing. My attempt at studying is almost a waste of time because I'm constantly disturbed by auditory hallucinations. The voices tempt me to engage in conversation with them, but I don't care for them and want to ignore them to the best of my ability. It takes so much work to filter them out to some degree. How do I concentrate on my work when I hear so much distractions coming from my own mind? Life is so hard like this.

[mgran]

Sometimes, before I was medicated, it helped to have music on... not even the kind of music I'm terribly fond of, but loud bouncy rock and metal etc. Loud classical helped as well, and it worked best if I had my headphones on, and the noise up loud.

It meant I could read a book, and retain it. Of course you can't learn a language when you've got loud music up like that... what are you studying, out of interest? Have you ascertained what your preferred learning style is?

I second what mgran said about loud music through headphones. I found that if I played music that I liked, that relaxed me, that after a while the voices quietened down or shut up completely for a bit so that I could then concentrate on studying. Which was good cos I can't study very well listening to music either! lol

I also found that antipsychotic medication reduced the frequency and intensity of the voices.

Does your college/school/uni know about the voices? At mine there was a disaility liason officer that we could go to who filled out some forms with me so that the uni knew about my condition and would make allowances and (theoretically) support me during my studies. Maybe you can get some flexibility with assignment due dates so that you don't have to do so many hours at once but can do a bit each day, for example?

All the best,

*Willow*

[costello]

My son also uses music. I've also heard that white noise like a fan might help.

Apparently some people can negotiate with their voices. They can make an appointment to talk with them, for example, between 6 and 7 pm. That way they can have some peace the rest of the time. It never worked for my son, but it's worth a try.

[grizzam]

It took me years to get my 'filter' up and running. Mind you, I had created this filter in response to my symptoms, years before I was diagnosed... that filter expanded when I was properly diagnosed and took the time to study more about the disease and understand that the positive symptoms are definitely not the only ones. Its a skill, it is learned, and I believe it can take quite a while and quite a lot of practice to get down.

I stand by the music suggestion. I use music a lot to regulate my mood, keep me occupied or otherwise partially distracted, and it even takes up a big part of my growing social life.

Be careful you still able to process info with the music on, you may need to switch to something that has no or little lyrics (or no or little discernable lyrics, hah!) if you find yourself getting wrapped up in the song instead of the schoolings ^^

[EmptyReflection]

I always have a fan running, no matter where I am. Best way I can think to describe it, is that it creates a "blanket of sound", so that other things aren't so prominent, like the machine's ever-present critique of my doings. I also recommend the music route, I find that very helpful as well.

[Zircle]

I've really had a lot of troubly with hallucinations while trying to study. I tried the music thing, it doesn't do wonders for me though, because I can't study with the music on, and voices come back as soon as I turn it off. What I does work for me though is water... I often go swimming or take a bath before I study, it basically drowns the voices. Sounds stupid but it works for me. Music would be easier if it works though

[FireBird]

Like everyone said, music is the best way to distract you from voices. Sadly I have been hearing some today for some odd reason they yell kill and they will kill me. The doctors lowered my anti psychotic at the hospital because they thought the dose was too high. I want off the stuff. When I am able to draw, I have the headphones on to overcome the voices and thought insertion. That being said voices are rare for me and I feel sorry for anyone who has constant auditory hallucinations. Mine are scary and impossible to simply ignore.

[mgran]

Mine were yelling obscenities at me in French on Wednesday. I was coming back from teaching English to French speaking Africans. Tried to ignore it, and got increasingly distressed... doctor came out on Friday, changed meds, and I'm feeling better today. But the funny thing was, bad as I felt on Wednesday with the French obscenities etc, when I was actually engaged in teaching these people, the voices were much quieter. It suddenly hit me when the lesson was over... concentrating on something I enjoyed really helped.

Of course since then the meds have helped more.

[costello]

Originally Posted by mgran

But the funny thing was, bad as I felt on Wednesday with the French obscenities etc, when I was actually engaged in teaching these people, the voices were much quieter. It suddenly hit me when the lesson was over... concentrating on something I enjoyed really helped.

Really interesting. I wonder what caused this. Maybe the act of focusing, engaging the frontal lobes, shifted energy away from the part of the brain that produces voices? Or maybe performing a flow type activity lowered your level of self-consciousness?

You say concentrating on something you enjoy helped you. Greensky was having trouble concentrating on studies. Maybe he wasn't enjoying the studies the way you were the teaching. I wonder if greensky would get some relief if he or she tried something similar - concentration plus enjoyment. Playing the piano, for example. Maybe meditation, focusing your attention on your breath?

My son's new pdoc wants him to get out and do something - a job, volunteer work, etc. - just so he's not alone with his thoughts and his internal world so much.

I'm a great believer in training the mind, laying down new neural connections. Maybe if you were able to get into this mode where the voices are in the background rather than the foreground often enough you could learn some control, being able to shift the voices to the backburner at will.

Last time I talked to my son about getting rid of the voices, he said he didn't want to get rid of them. They're his friends, he says. It's hard for me to understand since I've never had this experience.

[mgran]

Hi Costello, yes... I wonder if you're right that there was something in the activity that helped. Certainly enjoying it helps. I find that playing my guitar also really helps (though when I've performed in front of people it's been a nightmare.) Perhaps find something truly enjoyable, and take refuge in that.

Your son's pdoc sounds like he's on the ball. I would suggest that, if your son doesn't want to lose the voices, you don't focus on that when you talk with him. He sees them as his friends... it could be that as he gets out more he'll have friendly communication with people in the real world, and he won't be so attached to the voices.

I'm lucky, I suppose, in a weird way, that my voices are nasty. Never thought I'd say it, but at least it's easy for me to be motivated to try and get better.

Have you seen the film "A Beautiful Mind"? Without giving too much away, it might give you some insight into how some people's hallucinations become friends, and why that is so important to them.

[WikidPissah]

I also have a lot of relief with water. I try to swim daily because it gets silent when I am out in the ocean, or in a pool during cold weather.

Music helps me a lot when I am reading too, if I use headphones. Fans or white noise seems to increase the auditory crap for me though. Medication has helped a great deal. It took years to find a non-sedating anti-psychotic, but I have.

[dharana]

i have auditory hallucinations for 5 yrs and it has never stopped. thus i quit my studies and just help my family at home. i tried to teach students at school, but i feel they are vigorant and i can't control, i left that too. I have nothing to do more and satisfy with my disorders. i feel peace these days. i have tried to filter it by music but it increased the intensity of sound. i think natural and calm environment has done something to me to be patience. nowadays i enjoy on social media that has given me to hold my perspectives.

[blackwhitered]

Originally Posted by greensky602

I hear voices (auditory hallucinations) that interrupt my studying and I can't focus on what I'm doing. My attempt at studying is almost a waste of time because I'm constantly disturbed by auditory hallucinations. The voices tempt me to engage in conversation with them, but I don't care for them and want to ignore them to the best of my ability. It takes so much work to filter them out to some degree. How do I concentrate on my work when I hear so much distractions coming from my own mind? Life is so hard like this.

I wear earbuds or headphones a lot because somehow my brain thinks that they're coming from the outside and it makes them less strong. Especially wearing just one earbud.
Also music helps like others have said.
I also sometimes cancel out the voices by talking myself, even if I just say random things like numbers, because that competes with them and makes them quiet down.

[(JD)]

Please let your doctor know this.. perhaps you need an increase in medication, or a change in one?