Bipolar Support Group

I would like to know about anyone's experiences with auditory hallucinations during a manic episode. What were the voices like? How were you able to get through the experience? How are you coping now?

I've only heard voices 3 or 4 times. First time scared the hell out of me. They were asking if I'm OK and that was about it, in fact all they seemed to care about was if I was all right. That was about 3 years ago and it hasn't happened since.

ive heard them before, mine more seemed to be a warning at first about people following me in my car, then relaxed to counting along while i was measuring things in the kitchen. i told them to knock it off, and didnt hear from them anymore.

with being manic this time ive heard notes of music here and there though, like last night and today, just faint, as if i could be mistaken.

When I have heard the voices, they come from a tv or radio that is not on. I just try to ignore it until it goes away...which they eventually do. I talk to my pdoc and they prescribe something a little stronger for awhile until the situation arises again. I can usually tell before I get to that point because I become very paranoid. Extremely paranoid.

hmm, interesting. so do you keep requiring more and more, or can you back off on the stronger medication inbetween episodes?

Yes. I hate taking medication because of sensitive liver issues, so I try to keep myself at the minimum functionable amount. It can be as simple as adding an anti pyschotic for awhile.

ah, ok. ya i had to take one, i think it was carbemazepine.

They usually add something like geodon for awhile and then wean me off of it as I get better. I know the voices are scary stuff to have to deal with.

Mine is maybe 2 voices sometimes I think it's my own. The one main one is nothing nice, very mean, protective of me though in a weird way. Telling me not to trust anyone, how folks are no good, go do this or that which always is nothing in my best interest but SOMETIMES it does lead me to find out something that someone is lying or doing something they have no business behind my back. I usually can fight it and tell it to shut up when I get tired of hearing it. And only happens during mania no other time. Not on meds right now bc I'm pregnant and due any day now, actually they are thinking of taking him early because I need to start taking my meds ESPECIALLY once baby gets here.

I wish you well with your baby. The first time I heard voices was two years ago. At the height of my psychosis, two or three voices spoke to me practically non stop for at least a day and a half, until the lithium and anti psychotic I was given started to work. One voice, I believe, was supposed to be the devil telling me there was no hope for me and that I would go to hell. To this day I'm haunted. My rational side says that the voices are only parts of me, but the child in me is scared still. I guess my worst fears were uncovered during that episode. Two years later I'm doing better but still wonder about those hallucinations. I haven't had them since.