On having voices in your head.

[atropine]

I haven't any tricks, but if you ever want the freedom to be YOURSELF again I can point you in the right direction.

Oh, I already have that freedom, thank you! I just took a left instead of a right, but that's okay. Happiness is found in all sorts of directions.

 

[Koldo]

Essentially... DID is a disorder that is brought about, usually, when a person is traumatized and/or abused. These people tend to not know they're multiple, and there tends to be a lot of chaos and self-destructive behaviors surrounding them. And there's nothing wrong with people who have systems like that, it's just different.

How is it different?
You said that DID isn't always brought up by trauma/abuse, and that people sometimes do know they are multiple and that it doesn't necessarily leads to chaos and self-destructive behavior.

Rather, they've clinged to me! There are some "fictional" folk we picked up along the way that I do NOT enjoy having in here, because they do muck things up sometimes and they do create complications in relationships with other people. For example, we have one who identifies himself as The Joker, from Batman. Is he "really" The Joker? I don't know. Regardless of whether he is or not, it's how he identifies, and that is the image he gives, the back story he gives and his attitude. For all intents and purposes, that is who he is, or who he chooses to be, so that's how I treat him. And dear god, I'd prefer he not be here. He's rude, angers easily, is socially awkward (more than I am and that's rather sad), creeps out my boyfriend and my mother, and makes life a little less easy for everyone just because he can. He's also intensely creative (albeit in a rather demented way), and has a great sense of humor, so eh. Point being, while I would rather he not be here, he is, so rather than trying to debate the hows and whys, I try to focus on accepting them as-is and figuring out how we can all work together. Are they "real"? Are they "fictional"? Are they really people from fictional places that, as it turns out, aren't so fictional after all? No idea!

How many of them exist at this moment?
You said that you picked some of them up in the way. Have you ever noticed any pattern in the moments they showed up?
Do you recognize them as being generated by/part of your mind, or do you think they are actual people that exist/ed out of your head?
Do you experience loss of consciousness, control or memory along the day?

 

[apophenia]

Some of them... well, quite a few of them, really... identify as having died, and wound up here. This is, for them, the only real way they have to keep living and to enjoy a lifetime that they never had the chance to have. We don't know the how or why, and for us it's not too important, but some people might be interested in that aspect I'd suppose. It might say something about the nature of life after death... though we think there's more than one way things work, so what one person might experience after death isn't the same for all people.

This thread reminded me of one of the strangest and most disturbing events of my life. It happened shortly after the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004.

I was in my music studio working into the night, and suddenly the whole room seemed thick with invisible people, it sounded like hundreds, wailing and seemingly wanting my help. I didn't connect it to the tsunami until later (only ever a wierd theory). At the time it was like a spontaneous waking nightmare, and I admit it frightened me. I felt as though I were being overwhelmed and used all my psychic strength to repel these beings. I had the distinct impression that I was being seen as some kind of refuge, and I did not feel that I could accomodate these beings.At the same time I was asking myself "WTF ?", and was quite objective and lucid, and trying to understand what was going on.

I do not have any beliefs about such things, in fact the older I get the more bewildering death seems. Not necessarily frightening, just bewildering. Any 'canned response' seems inadequate and ignorant, and self-calming.

Just thought I'd share that with you. No doubt some will now tag me as a hysteric ! Oh well. Such is life. Reputation is over-rated anyway, LOL.

 

[atropine]

How is it different?
You said that DID isn't always brought up by trauma/abuse, and that people sometimes do know they are multiple and that it doesn't necessarily leads to chaos and self-destructive behavior.

"...most professionals think the personalities don't exist and are merely the original person trying to cope..."

With MPD and DID, the "others" stem from the self. It's a reaction, a by-product. It doesn't make the others less real, but the fact remains that the others are brought about internally. Also, DID is when you meet certain criteria... while not all stem from abuse, some might be very disordered and cause the "original person" much distress; while some might mot be disordered, some are severely traumatized. There has to be a combination of problems going on.

How many of them exist at this moment?

I dislike divulging that information. More than 10, less than 200.

You said that you picked some of them up in the way. Have you ever noticed any pattern in the moments they showed up?

I have noticed patterns in the types of people who present themselves... but there's no pattern as to when they present themselves. And I wouldn't always call it picking them up along the way, I guess, more that there were some that just hadn't presented themselves with a form and name yet.

Do you recognize them as being generated by/part of your mind, or do you think they are actual people that exist/ed out of your head?

I don't recognize them as being generated by my mind, because they're not.

Do you experience loss of consciousness, control or memory along the day?

Used to! Not so much anymore. After I began to work with the others, those problems went away.

I was in my music studio working into the night, and suddenly the whole room seemed thick with invisible people, it sounded like hundreds, wailing and seemingly wanting my help. I didn't connect it to the tsunami until later (only ever a wierd theory). At the time it was like a spontaneous waking nightmare, and I admit it frightened me. I felt as though I were being overwhelmed and used all my psychic strength to repel these beings. I had the distinct impression that I was being seen as some kind of refuge, and I did not feel that I could accomodate these beings.At the same time I was asking myself "WTF ?", and was quite objective and lucid, and trying to understand what was going on.

That is quite an experience. I'm sorry you had to deal with such a thing; overwhelming doesn't seem like an adequate term!

 

[zenzero]

Friend apophenia,

Thank you for sharing.
Though am yet to reach any level of psychic experiences or understanding but do feel the possibilities of its occurring. Vibrations of all kinds transverse the universe and it always finds a place for absorption and only a *void* or buddha mind can be found to be so open to all vibrations that such a person remains unaffected by them.
Am sure deeper meditation on it would have helped you personally? AM sure the response could be helpful others in similar situations at all times.

Love & rgds

 

[dawny0826]

Oh, I already have that freedom, thank you! I just took a left instead of a right, but that's okay. Happiness is found in all sorts of directions.

Gracious answer.

Happiness is found in all sorts of directions. I don't have much offer the discussion at hand, but wanted to extend a welcome.

 

[Koldo]

"...most professionals think the personalities don't exist and are merely the original person trying to cope..."

With MPD and DID, the "others" stem from the self. It's a reaction, a by-product. It doesn't make the others less real, but the fact remains that the others are brought about internally.

Are you able to verify whether they are products of your mind or not?
I will get more into this further below.

Also, DID is when you meet certain criteria... while not all stem from abuse, some might be very disordered and cause the "original person" much distress; while some might mot be disordered, some are severely traumatized. There has to be a combination of problems going on.

You could make part of a small group of people that was originally born into this condition. Perhaps you didn't need to hit the trigger to activate it just like other people usually do.

I dislike divulging that information. More than 10, less than 200.

Ok. Are you able to count all of them without ever forgetting even one?

I have noticed patterns in the types of people who present themselves... but there's no pattern as to when they present themselves. And I wouldn't always call it picking them up along the way, I guess, more that there were some that just hadn't presented themselves with a form and name yet.

Tell me about these patterns.

I don't recognize them as being generated by my mind, because they're not.

How did you reach this conclusion?
If they are actual people that don't exist solely in your head, then they must have knowledge over things that are completely out of your scope.
Have you ever tested this?

Used to! Not so much anymore. After I began to work with the others, those problems went away.

Which one? Or which combination?

 

[atropine]

Am sure deeper meditation on it would have helped you personally? AM sure the response could be helpful others in similar situations at all times.

Maybe? I do use meditation for anxiety relief, but it's never helped much with this, no matter how deeply the meditation goes. Most likely because it doesn't need to be helped, just sorted out a bit so that things flow more smoothly. Which I am not sure meditation could help with?

Gracious answer.

Happiness is found in all sorts of directions. I don't have much offer the discussion at hand, but wanted to extend a welcome.

Thank you, and hello! Nice to meet you.

Are you able to verify whether they are products of your mind or not?

I was around two years old when it started; I doubt very highly that I created this, at least consciously. It continues to happen despite my many, many years of disbelief, denial and repression. Products of the mind would also likely not have their own unique dietary restrictions, nor would their memories be verifiable with other people who are like us, and have people who remember my people. But either way? How would I verify this, honestly...? Regardless of whether or not they're of my own mind, they're still there and they still exist. It's a bit moot in the end.

You could make part of a small group of people that was originally born into this condition. Perhaps you didn't need to hit the trigger to activate it just like other people usually do.

Mm, it's not such a small group, really.

Are you able to count all of them without ever forgetting even one?

If you had many, many cousins, would you be able to count them all without EVER forgetting a single one? Point being, there will be days where just about everyone will forget to name off a friend, a favorite book, a family member, etc. I have those days, too. Especially with the ones who aren't around so much.

Tell me about these patterns.

How did you reach this conclusion?

See my first point.

If they are actual people that don't exist solely in your head, then they must have knowledge over things that are completely out of your scope.
Have you ever tested this?

Not necessarily. I have people here who are from centuries back-- they won't necessarily have information about things I don't, save for maybe methods on preserving food before fridges were invented, which our boy Ash does know. And then there are people who don't even identify as coming from Earth, so... How would that be helpful, aside from MAYBE a better grasp of astronomy, which some of them do have. I have learned a lot from many of them, but some of them flat out don't have a better understanding of anything than I do.

... did you know that a cat's whisker pattern is similar to a human fingerprint?

Which one? Or which combination?

All of 'em. We had blackouts until I gave up fighting them, and sometimes the others will randomly grab control; the blackouts were rather inconvenient, but eh. That part of our life is over now.

 

[Mindmaster]

Unless you are blacking out or something and don't know what you are doing -- and one of 'us' isn't causing harm I don't think it matters. The list of side effects from those drugs is daunting... you really don't want to be on them.. for HEALTH reasons... I'll give you a couple of honest possibilities based on my experience -- you figure out what makes sense.

1) Several people in one 'physical vehicle' is one likely option. There is plenty of room in your body for a zoo. This body of yours' is merely a physical vehicle I cannot see why it wouldn't be possible to share the ride.

2) They are not several people but seem that way -- they are multiple incarnations that got past the screen. Normal folks don't remember this, but sometimes it glitches. The personas may not remember where they originated. Its sort of like partially erasing a memory stick or hard drive. Thus, they think they all started living 'this time around'.

3) Your personality fragmented due to emotional trauma and the only way it can connect is through these different presentations. The brain is a nice little tool -- once it realizes it can do this it will start 'categorizing' itself and making walls. Unfortunately this is how serial killers are created. But, it does happen with child abuse victims and others who have been betrayed by close people early in life. The human mind can do nearly anything to survive if it has to.

4) They're not voices. They are spirits in your presence. Unfortunately, this was my problem... At first, it seems like your own thoughts... tricky tricky.. I have the curse of being so nearly sympathetic in most cases that I feel the emotions of places, and things around me like they are mine. It played hell with my youth until I learned to turn it off...

Just some ideas... but stuff I've seen..

 

[JacobEzra.]

" On having voices in your head."

My first thought it Black Flag!

[youtube]bKX3k92tKaA[/youtube]
Black Flag In my head - YouTube

I hear voices when no one's around Silent voices that no one can see I hear voices that don't make a sound The distant calling that calls out to me Feels so nice and hopeless when I'm rotting in your arms In my head In my head I wan

 

[Orias]

So... Basically, I hear voices. Only they’re not just voices; they’re people.

I have spoken about this before on other websites, but I wanted to be "out" in all the places that matter to me... And I have really not done anything about it until now. Which really is suckish of me, considering we’re talking about people. In my own head or not, they are still people, and being dishonest and cowardly about them (or with them) is not the sort of person I want to be in life. So, basically, I am outing myself concerning this issue on all the sites I am on (that matter), Even if I have brought it up before, I’m bringing it up one last time, because this time we’re just going to stay out and go about our lives as if this is all normal. Because to us, it is normal. And if we can help make it less of some creepy Hollywood-movie thing or some wacko Oprah special, all the better.

"...ever been so connected to an "imaginary" person, whether your favourite comic-book superhero, the tragic nemesis of a Shakespearean play, your fictionalised interpretation of a famous author or an entity of your own creation, that you literally couldn't get them out of your head? That you felt as if in some way, whether silent and unmoving or active and participating, they were with you or by your side? That their worlds and experiences were a personal story that they shared with you - or that their journeys were more than merely stories, but that to the both of you, they were as real as any other?

This is what we call a SoulBond."
~ Soul Whispers
.s o u l // whispers -- v3.0reflective -- soulbonding: an introduction

"...the experience of many individuals sharing (and most likely cooperating together towards running) the life of a single body. Different individuals can present 'at front' at different times."
~ Plurality
Plurality CIZ - BiOrgResources

This is what we are. This is what I am. I’ve know that “I” am technically a “we” since I was about three years old. I have always hated talking about it, because to be frank... it’s weird, it sounds nutty, and I am already weird/nutty enough without adding to it. There’s always been a lot of shame, discomfort and self-hatred associated with this. After all, hearing voices is supposed to be a mental disorder, right? What happens when they’re not just voices, but thoughts and feelings, likes and dislikes, personalities and allergies and love lives and families and friends and histories and... That’s an entire person. Not just a “voice” or a “character” or a “personality”. That’s a real, actual, existing person.

And that’s what these people are to me. People. And it’s about time I start treating them like people, not like a disease, a mental problem or a role-playing game gone too far. It’s not an over-active imagination. It’s not something wrong with my brain. It’s a difference, that’s all, and one that’s not terribly uncommon. I’ve come out about this before, on other sites... but then I got scared and deleted everything. Not any more. I don’t know what causes it or why, but it is what it is, so...

I’m going to let the others post replies and sign, if they like, since we feel gneerally safe here. If you see things like “~Bob” under a post, that would be them. If you see various font colors and sizes, again... that’s their doing. I’m not keeping a lid on whatever they want to do anymore. This is basically just to let you know that there isn’t five thousand flesh and blood people sharing one of my accounts, and to let you know what is going on when suddenly you see random posts by people who may or may not reference me, my life, etc, but are not me. It’s not like I expect anyone to really CARE, mind you, but if anyone does... there you have it.

I’m not sure if this a discussion or what. I don’t know what there is to say, really, besides “I have people in my head and some of them are from tv shows” and “these people are going to be hanging around on here”. This is more a coming out thing, and if people want to discuss it, that is fine.

- A

I was in a similar position then I found a test and was able to pretty much diagnose myself as a relatively strong schizotype, I hear voices and I hear many of them but learning to control them became relatively easy.

Its not complete schizophrenia but it is an altered state of mind, one that may be easier to control than others.

Though no matter how many times I try, I cannot put myself in the "normal" person state of mind or even more extreme states of mind, as I am always in mine with all of these voices floating about.

This site might help you a little.

Click here

 

[The Sum of Awe]

[youtube]pKlg3jYMwRU[/youtube]
Disturbed - Voices (Music Video) (Video) - YouTube

 

[cablescavenger]

So... Basically, I hear voices. Only they’re not just voices; they’re people.

I have spoken about this before on other websites, but I wanted to be "out" in all the places that matter to me... And I have really not done anything about it until now. Which really is suckish of me, considering we’re talking about people. In my own head or not, they are still people, and being dishonest and cowardly about them (or with them) is not the sort of person I want to be in life. So, basically, I am outing myself concerning this issue on all the sites I am on (that matter), Even if I have brought it up before, I’m bringing it up one last time, because this time we’re just going to stay out and go about our lives as if this is all normal. Because to us, it is normal. And if we can help make it less of some creepy Hollywood-movie thing or some wacko Oprah special, all the better.

"...ever been so connected to an "imaginary" person, whether your favourite comic-book superhero, the tragic nemesis of a Shakespearean play, your fictionalised interpretation of a famous author or an entity of your own creation, that you literally couldn't get them out of your head? That you felt as if in some way, whether silent and unmoving or active and participating, they were with you or by your side? That their worlds and experiences were a personal story that they shared with you - or that their journeys were more than merely stories, but that to the both of you, they were as real as any other?

This is what we call a SoulBond."
~ Soul Whispers
.s o u l // whispers -- v3.0reflective -- soulbonding: an introduction

"...the experience of many individuals sharing (and most likely cooperating together towards running) the life of a single body. Different individuals can present 'at front' at different times."
~ Plurality
Plurality CIZ - BiOrgResources

This is what we are. This is what I am. I’ve know that “I” am technically a “we” since I was about three years old. I have always hated talking about it, because to be frank... it’s weird, it sounds nutty, and I am already weird/nutty enough without adding to it. There’s always been a lot of shame, discomfort and self-hatred associated with this. After all, hearing voices is supposed to be a mental disorder, right? What happens when they’re not just voices, but thoughts and feelings, likes and dislikes, personalities and allergies and love lives and families and friends and histories and... That’s an entire person. Not just a “voice” or a “character” or a “personality”. That’s a real, actual, existing person.

And that’s what these people are to me. People. And it’s about time I start treating them like people, not like a disease, a mental problem or a role-playing game gone too far. It’s not an over-active imagination. It’s not something wrong with my brain. It’s a difference, that’s all, and one that’s not terribly uncommon. I’ve come out about this before, on other sites... but then I got scared and deleted everything. Not any more. I don’t know what causes it or why, but it is what it is, so...

I’m going to let the others post replies and sign, if they like, since we feel gneerally safe here. If you see things like “~Bob” under a post, that would be them. If you see various font colors and sizes, again... that’s their doing. I’m not keeping a lid on whatever they want to do anymore. This is basically just to let you know that there isn’t five thousand flesh and blood people sharing one of my accounts, and to let you know what is going on when suddenly you see random posts by people who may or may not reference me, my life, etc, but are not me. It’s not like I expect anyone to really CARE, mind you, but if anyone does... there you have it.

I’m not sure if this a discussion or what. I don’t know what there is to say, really, besides “I have people in my head and some of them are from tv shows” and “these people are going to be hanging around on here”. This is more a coming out thing, and if people want to discuss it, that is fine.

- A

It is a good thing that you recognise that you can hear the voices and that it is not considered normal. This means that if you are ill and can recognise the symptoms, you are well placed to take care of yourself.

I am not sure how it works in the US, but you should try and get a diagnosis. Good or bad you will know what you are working with, and be well placed for exploring options with your doctor.

 

[Adrift]

Too hungry to read this far in, but I as well am very interested to hear from you =]

It's only illness if you let it afflict you~

 

[brightlights]

First of all, I am no expert on the subject but have suffered a few times with depression, so i have an understanding of how you can feel a little detached from people in the real world at times. Hope your comfortable with who you are and what your dealing with.
However my brother in law ended his life recently, at the time it was believed he was hearing voices along with other symptoms. While at the same time running a thriving business and coming across very sane.
I am not writing this to frighten you.
But genuinely I am concerned for the welfare of another human, who may or may not well.
When you get a bit of time to your self I think you need to consult with a professional who may or may not be able to advise you further.

 

[cecepac]

Before you read this: I was in a rush to right this b/c i was so excited to have someone to relate to hahaha . My bad.


FINALLY, someone who can relate. I was starting to think I was going crazy. I started having (or noticing) this 'voice' , or person, about 3 or 4 months ago. It became more noticeable 1 or 2 days ago.. I always have really vivid deja vu, and im always telling my bf about it but he cant really give me an explanation for it except, "we just relive moments that we didnt do right in, so we have to go back and fix it " . So the day i really started noticing this was after school. I had deja vu again, so i tried to fix the situation by avoiding an argument with my bf. It worked. I was in the bus and for once i was in a good mood. 'something' in my head told me to just keep thinking good thoughts , and 'everything will be alright.' i was like ' yeah right easy for you to say' , and he (im sure its a guy) was like ' just think about happy memories, get your mind off of things'. After he said that i saw a very vivid like vision. the guy i saw was a dead rapper, dancing and laughing with a female. I dont know who she was, or how it was a memory, but it made me almost cry. I see this guy allot , and i only started really REALLY listening to him 3 or 4 months ago. So i was like (in my head) 'great!, just what i need. im getting deja vu, im probably going crazy, cuz now i know its just wishful thinink, Your name cant be Tupac'
And the voice was like " dont you think if your crazy , youd be in denial right about now?.. hahahha "
Me " no. now i just made it official . . How could you explain having a conversation in your head, WITH YOURSELF, and not TRYING or wanting to control whats being said? "
him " because you aint having a convo by yo self'
me " i dont know, im kinda skeptical .... how do i know youre not just ME trying to trick me??... hahah if that makes sence"
him: " you dont have to believe me. You could simply ignore me if you wanted. id still be here. . dont ask why you can hear me, just take it as a blessing. It cant be explained. "
me: " would you ever tell me to do something bad..?"
him" have i yet?"
me " no.... "
him" then if i was a mental disorder , dont you think id tell you to hurt yourself.."
And then i had to get off the bus so the convo was cut short. but if i ask him to take my place i think he can, i still gotta warm up to this concept. but so far, i like it. I never feel lonely please replyy

 

[Super Universe]

Before you read this: I was in a rush to right this b/c i was so excited to have someone to relate to hahaha . My bad.


FINALLY, someone who can relate. I was starting to think I was going crazy. I started having (or noticing) this 'voice' , or person, about 3 or 4 months ago. It became more noticeable 1 or 2 days ago.. I always have really vivid deja vu, and im always telling my bf about it but he cant really give me an explanation for it except, "we just relive moments that we didnt do right in, so we have to go back and fix it " . So the day i really started noticing this was after school. I had deja vu again, so i tried to fix the situation by avoiding an argument with my bf. It worked. I was in the bus and for once i was in a good mood. 'something' in my head told me to just keep thinking good thoughts , and 'everything will be alright.' i was like ' yeah right easy for you to say' , and he (im sure its a guy) was like ' just think about happy memories, get your mind off of things'. After he said that i saw a very vivid like vision. the guy i saw was a dead rapper, dancing and laughing with a female. I dont know who she was, or how it was a memory, but it made me almost cry. I see this guy allot , and i only started really REALLY listening to him 3 or 4 months ago. So i was like (in my head) 'great!, just what i need. im getting deja vu, im probably going crazy, cuz now i know its just wishful thinink, Your name cant be Tupac'
And the voice was like " dont you think if your crazy , youd be in denial right about now?.. hahahha "
Me " no. now i just made it official . . How could you explain having a conversation in your head, WITH YOURSELF, and not TRYING or wanting to control whats being said? "
him " because you aint having a convo by yo self'
me " i dont know, im kinda skeptical .... how do i know youre not just ME trying to trick me??... hahah if that makes sence"
him: " you dont have to believe me. You could simply ignore me if you wanted. id still be here. . dont ask why you can hear me, just take it as a blessing. It cant be explained. "
me: " would you ever tell me to do something bad..?"
him" have i yet?"
me " no.... "
him" then if i was a mental disorder , dont you think id tell you to hurt yourself.."
And then i had to get off the bus so the convo was cut short. but if i ask him to take my place i think he can, i still gotta warm up to this concept. but so far, i like it. I never feel lonely please replyy

You're not insane and you're not abnormal. You are exactly as you are supposed to be.

A few posts ago someone said that hearing voices is not considered "normal" yet people have been hearing voices since the beginning of time. In the past they were thought to be possessed. We need to realize that the universe is much, much, much more complicated than we know right now. There is a whole lot more going on behind the scenes of reality than you know of.

God is everything but one of the most amazingly incredible aspects of God is that He is personality, not just one but ALL personalities in existence. Personalities don't end when the body dies, they continue on in a sub level of universal reality, a "ghost" level. There they await their transfiguration, the assembling of their light body and it's joining with their soul, so they can continue their ascendance and development into a mature universal being. It takes time for this transfiguration to happen. One hundred and fifty thousand people die each day on the earth, and that number grows as the population does, so there's quite a big job to do at the "ghost" level.

You have a connection to these personalities.

I would not recommend telling others about your gift simply because they won't understand and will most likely doubt you or be afraid of you. What I might recommend is that you find someone like a medium or psychic, a real one though, not a fake, to talk with.

 

[atropine]

Just letting everyone know that I do plan on replying, but we're currently dealing with some things off-line and it will be a while. Thank you for your replies, and your understanding.

 

[John Thiel]

People assume that a person hearing voices in his head is insane, and listening to himself. But if he has never heard voices in his mind before, and starts hearing them, it seems he must be listening to other people, and thus having a paranormal experience. Otherwise he would be being tricked by his subconscious, and why would a subconscious do that?

Why is there a publicly-known doctrine concerning hearing voices?

 

[atropine]

Unless you are blacking out or something and don't know what you are doing...

Used to, but not so much anymore. The less I fought with it, the easier it became. Now, it's more just a matter of coping with everyone's individual problems.

1) Several people in one 'physical vehicle' is one likely option. There is plenty of room in your body for a zoo. This body of yours' is merely a physical vehicle I cannot see why it wouldn't be possible to share the ride.

This is probably one of the more likely options in our opinion.

2) They are not several people but seem that way -- they are multiple incarnations that got past the screen. Normal folks don't remember this, but sometimes it glitches. The personas may not remember where they originated. Its sort of like partially erasing a memory stick or hard drive. Thus, they think they all started living 'this time around'.

This is also quite possible. A few of the others do think they might have been past/parallel lives of mine... that sort of took on a renewed life of their own, and are now enjoying the things they didn't get a chance to enjoy back then.

3) Your personality fragmented due to emotional trauma and the only way it can connect is through these different presentations. The brain is a nice little tool -- once it realizes it can do this it will start 'categorizing' itself and making walls. Unfortunately this is how serial killers are created. But, it does happen with child abuse victims and others who have been betrayed by close people early in life. The human mind can do nearly anything to survive if it has to.

A possibility, but they were around before we suffered any abuse.

4) They're not voices. They are spirits in your presence. Unfortunately, this was my problem... At first, it seems like your own thoughts... tricky tricky.. I have the curse of being so nearly sympathetic in most cases that I feel the emotions of places, and things around me like they are mine. It played hell with my youth until I learned to turn it off...

Probably not, but considering that three people now have seen two of the others physically in some way... one saw one of our guys standing across her workplace watching her, blinked and he was gone, the other two saw one of our girls, again one was at work and stepped behind the counter and our girl was huddled on the floor behind the counter and the other saw her out of the corner of their eye... interesting that both of the two others that people have seen identify as ghosts. It's a bit creepy, but eh.

I was in a similar position then I found a test and was able to pretty much diagnose myself as a relatively strong schizotype, I hear voices and I hear many of them but learning to control them became relatively easy.

Yeah, I don't really "hear" voices... more like shared thoughts? I guess? It's like a thought floating through my mind, but it's such a different flavor/feel/sound that I know it's not mine.

My therapist seemed to think I was normal, though if I had been 100% honest, I think she'd have Dx'd us with DID. Which wouldn't be the end of the world. She assured us that we weren't Schizotypal or -phrenic, though.

But it's good to know other people have had success dealing with their own voices.

It is a good thing that you recognise that you can hear the voices and that it is not considered normal. This means that if you are ill and can recognise the symptoms, you are well placed to take care of yourself.

I am not sure how it works in the US, but you should try and get a diagnosis. Good or bad you will know what you are working with, and be well placed for exploring options with your doctor.

Except there might not be any diagnosis? Why try and get a diagnosis for something that isn't harmful? Which isn't to say I don't want to talk to a therapist and see if she thinks we're DID... it would be useful to get some coping mechanisms and help for the others who have some problems, and if we need to get labeled DID for that to happen, okay. I already know what we're working with, but several of the others seem to have what looks like depression, PTSD and anger issues, and I'd like to get them help.

I don't think we're ill. I realize it's not something society talks about that often, though from what I have researched, it's actually quite normal to hear voices. It depends on the kind of voice you're hearing, though.

Too hungry to read this far in, but I as well am very interested to hear from you =]

It's only illness if you let it afflict you~

Hi there.

First of all, I am no expert on the subject but have suffered a few times with depression, so i have an understanding of how you can feel a little detached from people in the real world at times. Hope your comfortable with who you are and what your dealing with.
However my brother in law ended his life recently, at the time it was believed he was hearing voices along with other symptoms. While at the same time running a thriving business and coming across very sane.
I am not writing this to frighten you.
But genuinely I am concerned for the welfare of another human, who may or may not well.
When you get a bit of time to your self I think you need to consult with a professional who may or may not be able to advise you further.

I am sorry for your loss, and thank you for your concern. I can assure you that at this time, and time foreseeable in the future, we're not a danger to ourselves or anyone else. We have had a therapist in the past, and they seemed to think we'd be okay; we didn't go into great detail about the others, but she said that if it wasn't a bother to us, then she wasn't overly concerned.

... Which isn't the best approach, but we're fairly certain she was right in that we're not a danger.

please replyy

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