I am never alone

  Do you remember the advert " You are never alone with a strand"? I live alone except I don't. I don't smoke and if I did I wouldn't smoke Strands. I don't suppose they are made anymore. No I live with a whole host of  folks. Some people would  call them voices. 

Living Alone

 I am never alone. Jack is always with me. We have discussions, debates and  arguments. Sometimes it gets very heated and leaves me not knowing what to do. Which is often because I am often unsure of my actions. In fact I deliberate for so long that I miss dates and deadlines. But I have made a resolution. I am not going to listen to him anymore. It's not easy. I suppose it will take some time because he has dominated my thoughts and actions, he would say guided me, for such a long time.

People often comment on my status. They don't understand why I am

happy with my situation. 

Hearing voices is actually quite a common experience: around one in ten of us will experience it at some point in our lives. Hearing voices is sometimes called an 'auditory hallucination'. Some people have other hallucinations, such as seeing, smelling, tasting or feeling things that don't exist outside their mind.

• traumatic life experiences, which may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder
• stress or worry
• lack of sleep
• extreme hunger
• taking recreational drugs, or as a side-effect of prescribed drugs
• mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression

Taking control

Some people find that standing up to the voices, choosing when to pay attention to them and when to ignore them, and focusing on more positive voices can help them feel more in control. Talking therapy can help you with this, as it can be difficult on your own.

Keeping busy

Keeping busy can distract you from the voices, help you express yourself, feel more relaxed, and allow you to meet new people. You could try listening to music or audiobooks, keeping up with hobbies or doing something creative such as writing or painting.

There can be a stigma around hearing voices, making it hard to talk about them, even to friends or family. Peer support groups can provide a non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, accepted and less alone.