What are voices?

Hearing voices is when you hear a voice when no one is present with you. Or hear voices that other people can’t hear. It might be one voice. Or it might be many different voices and sounds.

People have many different experiences of hearing voices. You might find them:

• comforting and helpful
• irritating or distracting
• frightening and intrusive.

You might not mind your voices all the time. Your feelings might be different at different times. It could depend on how you’re feeling, what’s going on in your life or what types of voices you hear.

It’s common to think that if you hear voices, you must have a mental health problem. But research shows that many people hear voices and don’t have a mental health problem. It’s quite a common human experience.

What’s it like to hear voices? 

Hearing voices can be different for everyone. They vary, they often sound familiar or unfamiliar, and what they say can deeply affect how you feel. Some are upsetting, distressing, or even hurtful and frightening, while others seem neutral or even positive at certain times in life.

People may, however, sometimes respond differently, because everyone’s mind interprets these moments uniquely  shaping how we understand our inner world and the voices that echo within it.

Why do I hear voices?

There are lots of reasons why you might hear voices. Here are some of them:

• Voices as you fall asleep or wake up: Sometimes, just as you wake, your brain is still partly in a dreaming state, and you might see or hear strange experiences that feel real but fade quickly. It can happen when you’re half-asleep, not fully awake, and your mind tries to call your name or replay thoughts before you stop drifting. This brief moment is usually harmless just your mind blending sleep and awareness, creating that odd space where dreams and reality overlap.
• Poor sleep:  I don’t get enough sleep, my mind starts to blur, and it sometimes causes strange things to happen  like starting to hear soft voices that fade in and out, especially when my problems keep me awake too long.
• Hunger:   When I’m extremely hungry, it sometimes feels like I can hear faint voices, almost like my mind is calling out for food, a mix of exhaustion, stress, and imagination blending into one vivid moment of need.
• Physical illness: Sometimes when your temperature is high, you may hear voices or even see things that other people can’t, which can be a sign of illnesses affecting your body or brain; that’s why it’s important to speak to a doctor if you’re concerned, as physical health can quietly influence what we experience in unexpected ways.
• Stress or worry:  Sometimes you may hear voices when you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or deeply worried, as your mind tries to process overwhelming emotions and inner noise.
• Bereavement: After I lost someone close, I began to hear them talking softly when I was alone. It made me feel still connected with them, a quiet experience that’s surprisingly common and sometimes deeply comforting.
• Abuse or bullying:  Hearing voices can start after being abused or bullied, when an unkind or threatening voice repeats painful memories, making you feel like you might harm yourself even when you don’t want to.
• Other traumatic experiences: People hear voices as a result of deep traumas that the mind has not fully healed from like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or dissociative disorders, where the brain tries to protect itself from painful memories.
• Spiritual experiences: Sometimes when I hear a voice, it feels like a special sense guiding my life, as if a spirit is gently hearing me back it helps me understand both good and evil energies within and around me.
• Mental health problems: It can be a symptom of a deeper mental health struggle like psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, and in my experience working with people facing severe depression or schizoaffective conditions, these voices often reflect emotional pain trying to be heard in a different way.

Ways you can look after yourself

Sometimes, hearing voices are a problem because of your relationship with them. Changing your relationship can make you feel differently about them.  

• Understanding your voices
  It helps to understand your voices by thinking about how they relate to your life and emotions; when you notice certain patterns, triggers, or whether they make you feel bad or good, you can manage them better by keeping a diary to note what they say, how you feel, and how you manage those moments.
• Taking control
  People often forget that standing up for their own needs isn’t selfish, it’s strength. By choosing what deserves your attention and what to ignore, you start focusing on what truly matters and create space for positive energy to grow. When life feels difficult, remember that seeking talking therapy isn’t a weakness but a way of taking back control. Listening to your voices within helps you stay grounded, confident, and kind to yourself  because only you can decide the direction of your own well-being.
• Keeping busy
  Keeping busy is the best way to distract your mind from the constant voices of worry or overthinking. I’ve found that when I express my emotions through creative outlets like writing or painting, I feel more relaxed and connected to myself. Try listening to music or audiobooks that lift your mood, or meet new people who share your hobbies. You might be surprised at how much calm and joy that brings into your life.
• Sharing your experiences
  Living with hearing voices can feel hard, especially when stigma makes it difficult to talk openly. But sharing your story with friends, family, or through peer support groups creates a non-judgemental space where you can feel truly heard and accepted. Connecting with groups like the Hearing Voices Network, Voice Collective forum, Intervoice forum, or Mind’s Side by Side community whether online or in person can make you feel less alone and understood by people who genuinely relate.
• Looking after yourself
  Life can be difficult, but being kind to yourself is just as important as caring for others. Start by eating a healthy diet that fuels your energy and keeps your mind clear. Stay physically active even a short walk outdoors can lift your mood and help in managing stress. Set small goals and keep working towards them; celebrate each reward as progress. Choose activities that make you feel alive and remind you that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s strength in motion.

Important considerations

• Hearing voices can be a normal experience: People hearing voices at some point in their lives, and it can be a normal part of human experience, even without having a mental health condition. Sometimes it’s a short-term, even one-off event  like when you’re tired, stressed, or deeply focused. From my own understanding and what I’ve seen in others, these moments can come and go naturally, reminding us that our minds are powerful and complex, not necessarily ill.
• Causes are diverse: Hearing voices can come from many common causes, including stress, trauma, or even a lack of proper sleep. Sometimes, substance use plays a major role, triggering symptoms linked to mental health conditions like psychosis, schizophrenia, or severe depression. Understanding these patterns helps people see that not every voice heard is a sign of something strange; it’s often the mind’s way of expressing deep emotional stress or unresolved trauma.
• It’s not always a sign of being “ill”: Someone who has worked closely with people exploring their mental journey, I’ve learned that hearing voices isn’t always a sign of an illness, sometimes it’s a symptom of deep emotional stress, spiritual connection, or creative reasons within a person’s unique health and condition. Understanding this experience helps break stigma and reminds us that every mind has its own language of healing and meaning.

Managing hearing voices

• Seek professional help: Hearing voices feels overwhelming, talk to a mental health professional who can help you determine the cause and suggest the most appropriate treatment. Sometimes, talking openly with a doctor leads to better therapy or the right medication, easing your mind and showing that seeking help is a strong, healing step forward.
• Practice self-care: When managing voices, prioritizing self-care like getting enough sleep, reducing stress, avoiding recreational drugs, and engaging in calming routines can reduce their frequency and intensity naturally.
• Focus on feelings: When hearing voices are talking, it can be helpful for a person to focus on how they feel in the experience, rather than just what is being said, to make the content more understandable.
• Engage with support networks: Finding support through groups or helplines can create a safe space to talk about your experiences without judgment, and they often offer strategies to cope and provide practical guidance from those who understand. 

Final thoughts

Hearing voices is not always a sign of mental illness; for many people, it becomes a deeply personal and sometimes even positive experience. The meaning behind these voices can shift depending on social and cultural factors, shaping how one understands and reacts to them. In my work with individuals who hear distressing voices, I’ve seen that recognizing their context whether spiritual, emotional, or psychosis-related helps in finding comfort and strength. It’s not just about diagnosis; it’s about understanding the story behind what’s being heard.

When the hearing voices become challenging, learning to cope can transform the distress into something more neutral or manageable. Every mental health condition carries its own rhythm, but with patience, self-awareness, and compassionate support, those experiences can be integrated into daily life. Our reactions are shaped by our beliefs, our communities, and our sense of self and by acknowledging that, we can bring both meaning and balance to even the most distressing voices.