Listening to Voices: Consequences and Lessons Learned

In my journey through mental health challenges, I've often found myself at odds with the voices in my head. These internal dialogues can sometimes offer stark warnings, such as when a headmate advised me to distance myself from an online community during a heated debate. Despite the initial resistance, heeding his advice ultimately led to a needed hiatus that improved my mental state.

Lessons from Past Experiences

These voices can seem like a helpful guide, urging action or providing insights, but personal experience has taught me that they often lead to more trouble than they solve. Listening to their directives can plunge one into dire situations, as I have seen firsthand.

While others have reported that these voices can offer invaluable guidance, my experience points to the more common and troubling outcomes. In my case, voices would tell me to engage in harmful behaviors, such as believing there were bugs under my skin or that I needed to kill myself. These suggestions sometimes led to multiple hospitalizations, causing severe physical and social consequences.

Consequences of Acting on Voices

Acting on the voices' commands has had profound, often negative, consequences on my life. Breathing troubles, such as the belief there were bugs under my skin that needed to be dug out, have been recorded as leading to multiple medical interventions. More serious actions, such as attempts to commit suicide, (like running 10 kilometers to a bridge and being restrained by the police), have resulted in near-deadly outcomes.

These actions also affected my social and professional life. My scars from past self-harm have left me with visible marks that make it difficult to participate in casual settings. Applying for jobs or socializing with others has become challenging, with many people reacting with concern or giving me intrusive questions. Even my medical issues are taken less seriously due to these incidents.

Advice for Others

For anyone experiencing such voices and thoughts, it's imperative to seek professional help. The potential consequences of following these internal prompts can be life-threatening. If you are in danger, contact emergency services immediately.

While it's important to listen to oneself, voices that urge self-harm or violent actions should be treated with caution. Instead of acting on these directives, find a support system, such as healthcare professionals or trusted friends, who can guide you towards healthier choices and coping mechanisms.

Through personal experience, I've learned that listening to voices is not always beneficial. It's essential to seek help and guidance from external sources to navigate these challenges safely.

Keywords: mental health, voices, self-harm, recovery, advice