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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by agencypanic on January 20, 2003, at 13:57:12
I've been curious about these phenomena since I experienced
a series of psychotic 'episodes' while traveling in Asia
a number of years ago. Specifically what I find interesting
is the 'hearing voices' phenomenon. I don't wish to dispute
that this really occurs, but I'm wondering whether this is a somewhat
misleading term. For example, I find that during times of stress, poor sleep,
poor eating habits, etc that I don't so much 'hear' voices as 'mishear'/misinterpret
voices. That is, I become extremely sensitive to auditory stimuli of all types,
but voices especially. A remark made by my neighbor which I overhear through my window
becomes the occasion of a chain of hyper-interpretations,associations, and constructions
in my mind all of which lead to the notion that the remark was made about me.
Okay you're saying, big deal. Nothing new there. Hallucinations can have an outside
stimulus as their source(s). I'm simply curious about what others
might think about this and if they can suggest some reading materials/studies
concerning auditory hallucinations and their 'origins'.
Posted by jay on January 20, 2003, at 18:40:31
In reply to Auditory hallucinations, Hearing voices etc, posted by agencypanic on January 20, 2003, at 13:57:12
I've been interested in this subject too, mostly because I have similar experiences as you. I've also done a bit of research in the area, and there is a particular program here in Canada at a number of major research centers involving this topic. They have been very, very successful, especially at targeting these things in young people (before their symptoms get worse), and one doctor sums it up in that "If it even *remotely* seems to be any type of psychosis...even the 'mildest' of symptoms...*treat* it." Some people seem to think of psychosis as a person who is basically, "freaking out"...and all the usual stereotypes, and often limit it to a schizophrenic diagnosis.
But, it's interesting because even in just unipolar depression, as well as anxiety disorders and bipolar depression, many of the 'acute' forms of anxiety that goes out of control can lead to psychotic-like symptoms. Even just a person who develops a 'paranoia' as you mentioned, could be labeled within the realm of psychosis, and from what I have read, the newer atypical antipsychotics work *very* well in this area, as an adjunct to treatment for whatever the persons primary diagnosis was. (Hence, the use of atypical antipsychotics in bipolar depression, and even unipolar depression and OCD.)
Very important topic...and I hope we can post more on this!
Thanks...
Jay
Posted by BekkaH on January 21, 2003, at 0:45:21
In reply to Auditory hallucinations, Hearing voices etc, posted by agencypanic on January 20, 2003, at 13:57:12
> . For example, I find that during times of >stress, poor sleep,> poor eating habits, etc >that I 'mishear'/misinterpret> voices. That is, >I become extremely sensitive to auditory stimuli >of all types,>
************************************************
Hi Agency. I don't think I can address your question directly, but your post made me think about the insane hours that doctors-in-training must keep, and how that affects their ability to learn, and to hear and interpret what patients say. Contrary to what some doctors think, sleep deprivation is nothing to be proud of, and when patients' lives are at stake, it is downright criminal. I hear older physicians saying things like, "Well, I paid my dues. I went through it, and so should younger physicians." I have a friend in engineering school who was so sleep-deprived last semester that she hallucinated and thought bugs were crawling all over her. Her sleep-deprivation caused her great distress, but at least she wasn't caring for sick patients.Bekka
Posted by rayww on January 21, 2003, at 11:35:38
In reply to Re: Auditory hallucinations, Hearing voices etc » agencypanic, posted by jay on January 20, 2003, at 18:40:31
>> Very important topic...and I hope we can post more on this!
>
> Thanks...
> JayIs this the same as hearing or reading through a psychotic lens where what is heard or seen is distorted from the truth and reality?
I can read something one day and it will have a completely different meaning the next. What in the freak is that? Or I can write something one day that 100% seems rational and makes perfect sense. A week or so later when I read it again it seems warped, and then later it will seem fine. This has confused me for a long time.
Posted by agencypanic on January 21, 2003, at 17:16:11
In reply to Re: Auditory hallucinations, Hearing voices etc, posted by rayww on January 21, 2003, at 11:35:38
> Is this the same as hearing or reading through a psychotic lens where what is heard or seen is distorted from the truth and reality?Big words those: truth and reality.
> I can read something one day and it will have a completely different meaning the next. What in the freak is that? Or I can write something one day that 100% seems rational and makes perfect sense. A week or so later when I read it again it seems warped, and then later it will seem fine. This has confused me for a long time.How exactly do you mean that the meaning changes?
I think that it's not at all uncommon for readings to take on new meanings with experience: that's the mark of a good text and a changing life. The same _can_ apply for your writing.
As an addition to my original post, another factor that can set me off is hearing laughter
and believing that it is directed at me. Reminds me of Kierkegaard's remark about always having
the laughter on your side. Twice now since I've begun posting that I've mentioned his name. Strange coming from
an atheist.
Posted by jodie on January 21, 2003, at 19:24:45
In reply to Re: Auditory hallucinations, Hearing voices etc, posted by agencypanic on January 21, 2003, at 17:16:11
All of those symptoms are also associated with a certain type of seizure that affects the temporal lobe. When I was a teenager I thought for sure I had a serious mental illness. I would go through phases where I would hear & see things that weren't there. I would get a really strong sense of deja vu and depersonalization. After having a grand mal seizure, I finally told a neurologist about this. He said I had temporal lobe epilepsy. I was put on dilantin, it helped get rid of the seizures, but the med made me feel yucky. Just thought I would give a possibility. I have done lots of research on temporal lobe epilepsy, and found it can cause some pretty bizzare hallucinations. In fact many people have been diagnosed as having schizophrenia or similar disorders, and it turned out to be epilepsy.
Posted by judy1 on January 22, 2003, at 12:42:09
In reply to Re: Auditory hallucinations, Hearing voices etc, posted by jodie on January 21, 2003, at 19:24:45
I would have to agree with Jodie, TLE is definitely something you need to rule out first. Have you seen a neurologist? I loathe taking AEDs or APs so I tend to keep auditory hallucinations to myself. If they are not causing me problems, then I find them rather interesting. I also have been manic and awake for 36+ hours straight and put the blaim on situational rather than illness factors. take care, judy
Posted by agencypanic on January 22, 2003, at 12:51:43
In reply to Re: Auditory hallucinations, Hearing voices etc, posted by judy1 on January 22, 2003, at 12:42:09
> I would have to agree with Jodie, TLE is definitely something you need to rule out first.
Yes, that's been ruled out. I've taken haldol in the past and agree that I'd prefer not to have to resort to APs.
Mine are interesting too, but even though I know that I'm doing it, I can't seem
to stop jumping to conclusions, concocting possible scenarios based on the murmurs of other voices or overheard
snippets of conversation: hypersensitive and hypervigilant both apply. When in social settings I'm an avid
follower of other people's eyes when they meet or encounter me-- one giant eyeball with legs. When alone, the eyeball transforms into
one giant ear-- and one that may not hear very well.
Well, this is a stupid post so I'll stop right now.
Posted by Alara on January 24, 2003, at 1:22:34
In reply to Re: Auditory hallucinations, Hearing voices etc, posted by agencypanic on January 22, 2003, at 12:51:43
Agency, you show total insight to the situation. You understand the inner process that is going on within your mind. It sounds more like social anxiety to me. You are a very sensitive person and there doesn't seem to be any true loss of contact with reality. Believe me, I understand! SSRIs can help you to be less sensitive towards the reactions of others. Have you tried any of those with success? CBT could also be very useful as it will teach you to put things into perspective. Highly sensitive people tend to blow things out of proportion.
Good luck!
Alara
Posted by agencypanic on January 24, 2003, at 10:59:20
In reply to Re: Auditory hallucinations, Hearing voices etc, posted by Alara on January 24, 2003, at 1:22:34
Thanks for the kind reply. You wrote "You are a very sensitive person and there doesn't seem to be any true loss of contact with reality." Well, you're half right. The past has proved to me that I have indeed had breaks with reality and it is precisely these
that I really want to avoid in the future. I've taken haldol at times in the past, as well as zoloft then and now. Social anxiety disorder is a real possibility,
but paranoid personality disorder is what I'm guessing. I know little about CBT, although I suspect that
a psychologist I once saw may have used some such techniques with me. I'm a very self-critical person and tend to berate myself over
everything. Every possibility for self-doubt or castigation I seize upon. But I'm very tolerant of others. This is what he always
pointed out to me: my double-standard, giving others the benefit of the doubt but not myself.
Anyway, again I thank you for your response.
This is the end of the thread.
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