[Eliastate13]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had any helpful tips on how to distinguish the difference between intrusive thoughts and auditory hallucinations.
I've had them for 8 months now but am having a hard time figuring it out. Have also started to see holographic people sitting close by me (recently). Any help is greatly appreciated.

Welcome to PC!

Intrusive thoughts are thoughts (i.e. not audible with your ears) or images inside your head, and auditory hallucinations are audible (i.e. heard outside of your head with your ears) like any other noise or voice is heard. You've not mentioned it but FYI there's also 'pseudohallucinations' which are voices that are heard inside your head, but it differs from thoughts because the voice doesn't sound like your inner thought voice and you feel certain it's another saying it, not you.

Could you explain what makes you say that the people that you see are "holographic" as I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean?

If these experiences are causing confusion and/or distress, it may be worth seeing a therapist and/or a doctor about them.

All the best,

*Willow*

[Gr3tta_0]

I agree w/willow, i always think of intrusive thoughts as things inside my head, even if they don't "sound" like me, while auditory hallucinations are outside my head, like regular sounds are.

[Bbop]

Well said y'all! I struggle with auditory hallucinations quite regularly even with my ap meds. It took me a year or better to learn that they weren't real and they were indeed hallucinations. For example, I have heard doors open, foot steps, a lot of people talking, my family and friends saying things that they did not say. All coming from an outside source. When I have had intrusive thoughts from the inside I notice I am talking to myself more. As if I am answering my own thoughts. I hope this finds you well! Hang in there!

[Eliastate13]

Some voices only seem to be coming from my head and some sounds and voices seem to be coming from my ears. The voices coming from my head are quite aggressive and seem to be controlling the images and thoughts that I'm having. Like last night they were telling me to kill my self. The holographic people look like people that are see through. Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by WeepingWillow23

Welcome to PC!

Intrusive thoughts are thoughts (i.e. not audible with your ears) or images inside your head, and auditory hallucinations are audible (i.e. heard outside of your head with your ears) like any other noise or voice is heard. You've not mentioned it but FYI there's also 'pseudohallucinations' which are voices that are heard inside your head, but it differs from thoughts because the voice doesn't sound like your inner thought voice and you feel certain it's another saying it, not you.

Could you explain what makes you say that the people that you see are "holographic" as I'm not sure I fully understand what you mean?

If these experiences are causing confusion and/or distress, it may be worth seeing a therapist and/or a doctor about them.

All the best,

*Willow*