8/12/2023 0 Comments Schizophrenia and hearing voices![]() Somehow, this kind of - this sense of private violation is so much more salient to the Americans than it was to people in these two other worlds. Particularly in Chennai, there's this invitation to a much more social world to interpret that auditory experience as if it's another person. I think that there's a much more of a invitation to think about things supernatural, to think about the religious world, to interpret these experiences as the voice of a spirit. I think they're different social invitations in Chennai and Accra. And I think people find that terribly upsetting. And they have this model that when you hear an audible voice, it means that your mind is broken. LUHRMANN: So I think Americans think of their minds as a private fortress. Luhrmann is not a psychologist but a professor of anthropology, so I asked her about the cultural factors that could influence the nature of hallucinations. doesn't necessarily mean that you'll hear scarier voices, but the broader differences across cultures were unmistakable. Luhrmann emphasizes these are findings across populations, not individuals. And in Chennai, people heard annoying relatives who told them to do chores and cleanup. In Ghana, the Africans heard an audible God who told them not to ignore those evil voices. TANYA LUHRMANN: The Americans I spoke to, they felt assaulted by horrible voices that told them that they were worthless and they should die. Tanya Luhrmann went through accounts of schizophrenics in the U.S., in Accra, Ghana and in Chennai, India. But the experience of those voices - what they say and how they say it - might be different across cultures. It is the peace in the eye of the hurricane.For people with schizophrenia, auditory hallucinations can be terrifying - voices that come out of nowhere to berate you or tell you to harm yourself. It is difficult when hearing voices, but it can give you a sense of calm, safe from the storm of voices. ![]() Just let the thoughts and voices pass by in the breeze. Being mindful helps distract you from the voices, and being mindful of the voices lets you understand yourself and them better. Say what you are doing or how something feels. Do not spend too much energy trying to exert control. Notice all five senses and take pleasure in them. Be Mindful and Meditateīe mindful around the voices. Reading and learning something different may distract you from the voices if it piques your interest, so always exercise your mind and learn. Reading something about schizophrenia and mental illness may provide more insight into your fight, so learn where you can. ![]() Reading aloud helped me focus on my own words and the words of the book. When my schizophrenia was at its worst, it was hardly bearable to read, so I read aloud. Reading takes up more brain power, so the voices don’t usually speak when I’m reading. The voices will seize on the negative things about you and your surroundings, so take care of your mood. Don’t ruminate on unpleasant things, whatever they are to you. Being in the darkness alone can make the voices scarier, while being in the light with someone can make them less frightening. Watch what you listen to and where you are. Other people will take the time to understand you. I met a someone with schizophrenia and talking with her has been one of the best parts of my illness. You can also go to support groups where you can meet other people who are going through similar situations. It may be challenging at first, but getting someone to understand can be a worthwhile victory. Letting people know what’s happening in your life helps them help you. Let trusted people in your life know what you’re going through. Sometimes it is not easy, as the voices talk and act like real people, but taking away their power a little bit at a time helps you regain control. Thinking of them as thoughts also helps you establish a sense of normalcy, as everyone has thoughts. Don’t try to impress them or think of them as real people. ![]() Sometimes the voices say what you’re thinking. Thinking of them as thoughts and not actual beings helps take away the voices’ power. Classify the Voices as ThoughtsĮveryone has irrational thoughts, you choose whether to act on them or not. This is very difficult, but with practice you can get better at it. Try to not listen to the voices or talk to them if you’re having trouble with what they’re saying. ![]() Think of them as a bad cough or just noise. For me, it’s been helpful to remember they are only symptoms and nothing more - not something deep and personal about me. Sometimes they’re just confusing, and to believe them is a surefire path to madness. The voices are hectic and and are sometimes manipulative. ![]()
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