Trauma and Hearing Voices

Auditory hallucinations are a more common phenomenon than you might think. They are not unique to schizophrenia alone. For example, people who have experienced traumatic events may hear voices.

When a voice appears in an individual’s mind, they are seldom friendly. On the contrary, they tend to be intrusive, threatening, critical, and conspiratorial.In some cases, they even claim to be deceased relatives. Also, there are often multiple people, and they may all be speaking at the same time. In fact, few experiences are more disturbing than auditory hallucinations.

We usually associate the phenomenon of hearing voices with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain personality disorders. However, these experiences often happen more often than you might think. In addition, it can appear in people who do not have mental disorders.

more people Voices are more likely to be heard by people who have experienced trauma from sexual abuseIn addition to the trauma of the event itself, they find themselves on the receiving end of terrifying and dangerous messages. may lead to self-harm and isolation.

trauma and deafness

Trauma Spectrum Disorder is a condition that is not yet fully understood. That said, we do know that these adverse experiences, when experienced in childhood, have a greater psychological impact on the individual, so much so that they can alter the development of various neurological areas.

Suffer abuse, abuse and attacks, lose loved ones, live in intimidating environments, suffer bullying, experience natural disasters… There are multiple situations that can cause traumatic mental fracturesTrauma-induced symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, flashbacks, emotional ups and downs, and feelings of guilt and shame.

Hallucinations and alterations of reality are not always present in trauma patients, They often tend to hear voices. This fact is backed up by scientific research.

Who is most at risk of being heard?

The University of Groningen in the Netherlands conducted a study Analyzing the relationship between childhood trauma and auditory hallucinations. They emphasized the need to develop more individualized therapies in light of this important relationship.

The study found that, as a general rule, women who were sexually abused as children were more likely to hear voices at some point.It’s not causal, it just increases risk. Still, it is a clinical picture that must be understood if we want to provide our patients with the best therapeutic approach.

These vocal content and stories always have a negative bias that can induce self-harm and suicidal behavior. In fact, they cause immense pain to the patient. In addition, they distrust their surroundings, inciting them to foster dysfunctional behaviors. Naturally, this intensifies their emotional distress.

the need to talk about voice

Sometimes trauma patients hear voices that lead to psychotic statesToday, post-traumatic stress and psychosis are recognized as different conditions. Fortunately, scientific literature is now available on the relationship between them.

for example, The Medical University of South Carolina conducted the study claimed Trauma can also present with features of secondary psychosisThese cases display unique neurobiological and genetic features. These are clinical cases that were thought to be very rare not so long ago, but are frequently reported in detail today.

There is no doubt that auditory hallucinations can occur at any time when suffering from trauma. Unfortunately, the phenomenon is still stigmatized with great social stigma. For this, Talking about voices is essential to promote better attention and awareness of this condition.

Furthermore, it is important to normalize this kind of reality that any of us may experience at any point in our lives.

Treatment of trauma-related hallucinations

Risperidone and quetiapine are antipsychotic drugs used to treat hallucinations. but, Antipsychotic drugs not recommended for trauma patients who can hear voicesThis is because there is currently no scientific evidence that the use of this type of second-generation psychotropic drug is effective in treating auditory hallucinations.

Instead, trauma patients who can hear voices should be offered evidence-based treatment. There are a variety of very useful treatments for treating trauma. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR).). Both have proven effective in these types of cases.

Most importantly, individuals should seek professional help as soon as possible. surely, A traumatized child should never be allowed to grow up carrying the burden of experiences they could not handle. Adults should not be neglected as well. But unfortunately, sometimes they choose to put aside their past hurts.In these cases, they eventually find themselves falling apart. Then the voice will start.

Finally, it’s important to remember that the experience of hearing voices is probably more common than we think. In fact, we can all experience their unpleasant and threatening presence at some point in our lives. But they can be silenced and there are professionals who can help. , that’s an issue we need to discuss.

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