Ok am I cracking up or what

[delirium]

I've been thinking about this all morning, and while I don't really want to post about this, I value everyone's opinion so much, and this freaked me out so severely, I think the benefits will outweigh the risk, so to speak.

I really hope you all don't think I'm a nutjob.

Let me preface this by saying I have a history of dysthymic disorder and major depression and am currently on an SSRI (unlike many psych patients I actually do take my meds).

Anyway, this morning I heard a voice in my head. Not voices, but one single voice. I was laying in bed, not sleeping, I had my big dog in the bed beside me and my little dog (Mercedes the beagle I've been talking about) laying on the floor beside the bed. All of a sudden I heard this gruff, obviously male voice abruptly say "Lady", as if to get my attention.

Now, in this part of the country I regularly greet my female friends with "Hey lady" or something like that. But this sounded as if this person was annoyed with me.

It was SO REAL I sat up and looked around, thinking I might not be alone in my house. I actually looked for the source of this voice, of course I couldn't find it.

So... what do you think?

I remember that schizophrenia usually affects women primarily in their 30s, but I also remember that it has a gradual onset. I hate to think worst case scenario, but that's what I thought of when I realized the voice was in my head.

I still have a good sense of reality vs non-reality, but I have new empathy for psych patients who hear voices.... this has me really freaked the f*ck out.

I'd appreciate any input.

My tag line now seems eerily appropriate.

[CATHYW]

Rebecca, I am with the group that thinks you may have been in twilight sleep. Unless you hear this voice again, I would write it off as one of those things we just can't esssplain!

[adrienurse, LPN]

That sounds really scary. I have a hx of mental illness and am presently on an SSRI. My biggest fear is to have things like you're experiencing happen to me and not have the presence of mind to recognize them as being abnormal. If I were you, I would report these symptoms (whether they are signs of psychosis or not) to your doctor or Psychiatrist. There may be many reasons why you are "hearing things". The important thing is this sounds like it's really benign. This voice, although scary, is not harming you. You can do nothing and just moniter yourself for now.

For piece of mind, what I have done in the past is ask people who I trust to watch me and monitor my behaviour -- and let me know if something's not right. Unfortunately the scary part of mental illness is that the sufferer is not always aware that what is going on is a little "off".

Hang on there, we'll get through this. XOXO

[colleen10]

Hi Ms.Purp,

I'm just a lowly student so I have no clinical opinion but I wanted to let you know that other people have had weird things like that happen to them.

I had a friend who was staying up late by himself studying at his dining room table and he swore he heard a deep male voice call out his name "Ronald". It freaked him out pretty bad as he went into all the rooms to see if someone had called him but all his roommates were asleep and he knew that the voice didn't sound like any of them.

Also, one time I was taking Benedryl to knock me out because I had poison ivy sooooo bad, being knocked out what my only relief. It was in the morning and my husband had allready left for work and I swore I heard the door bell ring, but it sounded like it was stuck, because it just kept ringing and ringing. I finally went down stairs to fix it and it wasn't broken. Went back upstairs to go to bed again and I heard it going off again. It didn't stop ringing til I fell asleep again.

[live4today, RN]

MsPurp.......((((((hugs))))))))) :kiss

I think you are going to be just fine. However.....it doesn't hurt to make the doctor EARN all that money you pay him (her) that helps keep him (her) in business, so share it with him (her).

I "hear voices" all the time, but I don't often share it with the general public. Why? The Voice I tune into is my Creator's Voice who speaks to me through the Holy Spirit. SOME here will totally relate to what I'm saying, and most probably won't. That's okay......I'm okay.........you're okay, too. :kiss

[mamabear]

Ah!! At last something psych-related, my area of semi-expertise.

If it's any comfort, schizophrenia entails a lot more than hearing a voice. We're talking a complete psychotic break with delusions, hallucinations, a total inability to function normally. And don't apologize for posting; that's why we're here.:) It could be that you're stressed out to the max. That can result in all manner of unpleasantness. Do you have an EAP program where you work? A counselling service as part of your benefit package? I would urge you to talk with a mental health person. It doesn't have to be a doctor: psych nurse practitioners and/or veteran psych nurses would great.

Most of all, keep talking about it. If you have to send five posts a day, keep talking. Best of luck to you.

[lisamcrn]

That sounded pretty darn terrifying. But, I'm with the idea also that you my have been half dozing off or extremely relaxed and that is what came into play. When I'm overly tired I do this alot. I think I hear things or see things. My vision is very poor and when I take my contacts out for bed and the lights are off I'm very timid of any strange noise, sound and such and the objects in my house look like other things to me at the time. I swear i've heard voices somewhere, but could never find them. The more I also worry about it the more often it seems to occur. I'm also with Cheerfuldoer, I have had things pop into my head at times. It's different than my conscience, It sounds different and usually occurs in a potentially dangerous situation....has saved me a few times....call it what ever you wish, but it has happened. (it's in a male voice, calm and waring)

My brother is manic and schizophrenic. My other one is having a hell of a time with depression and anxiety. I have gone thru all of the same questions you and others have brought up...is it my turn to loose control and reality now?? But, fortunately at 32 so far I to forgo that rode. But, why me and not them....? The questions are always there and some days I swear I am right along with my poor brothers and extended family who have also been affected.

All of my knowledge with schizoprenia indicated that it usually occurred in both sexes in late teens and early twenties and exacerbated during higher stressing times such as high school and college. Although it has been seen in later age groups. So most likely you will not be saddled with this. I would keep a journal for any events, and it would not be a bad idea to talk with your dr. for their input. Good luck to you.

[fedupnurse]

Agree with the twilight sleep deal here. I too used to hear and feel loud popping noises in my head when I was half aake/asleep. Probably more asleep. Scared the hell out of me. It turned out to be a part of the seizure disorder that I had. It also consisted of episodes of vertigo. I was on anticonvulsants for a few years and have been off them for 10 years or so and haven't had any further episodes of either. I'd ask to have an EEG to rule that out, you never know.

Please take care of yourself, try to relax and if it would make you feel better, go see a doc.

Let us know!!!

[BBnurse34]

Rebecca, thanks for sharing your concerns with us. You are a very brave and honest person :)

I sometimes hear my name being whispered. Its usually when I am very stressed or tired. I wouln't be too concerned about the incident that you had, but it would probably make you feel better to talk to your MD about it.

Or your dog has learned to talk :)

Good luck, my prayers are with you.

Raylene

[Rustyhammer]

I remember once I was driving late at night and I must have been dozing a bit. All of a sudden I heard my fathers voice say to me "Russell, wake up!".

Totally freaked me out!

I stopped the car to walk around for a bit but I was too scared to open the door. There wasn't even another car on the Hwy.

I've heard other things too but not very often.

I wouldn't worry much unless it persists.

-Russell

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

(((((Rebeeca)))) not a psych nurse, but I agree w everyone else.

I do have 2 other ideas. One, maybe it is a side effect of your med? I have heard people have some strange s/e from some meds, esp when trying to withdrawl or if doses were not taken regularly. At least this would mean you weren't nuts, which I do NOT think you are at all. Probably not at all the case, but throwing it out there as food for thought; drug s/e.

Two, OK this is out there, maybe as you were going into that twilight sleep, you think someone from your past or who has "crossed over" is trying to communicate w you? (OK, I hear you all laughing, but I believe in psychic connections.) My grandma, no matter if I haven't even thought about her, knows when I am not feeling good. She will call and say, what's wrong? I know something is wrong. Odd thing she is always right. I have felt a strong presence of people who have passed at significant times in my life. So, that is my wacky theory.

Third, let me say, I think this has happened to me in the past, but maybe I have forgotten due to senility, the details. Most likely I forgot it b/c I figured, it absolutely can't be me that's nuts, it's the rest of the world that's nuts. I do know that I have on many occassions been awakened in a fright by something I thought was a weird noise, etc... when I have just fallen to sleep. Got up, investigated the whole house, etc, also found nothing amiss. Lay back down, heart's racing, and trying to calm myself down to get back to sleep.

[SmilingBluEyes]

See? the concensus here is you are PROBABLY OK!!!! (whatever OK is). I would get checked out....like many said here...could be the meds, your tired mind, your guardian angel (yes I believe in them).....many things. Thanks for sharing and Good luck!

We are pulling for you, hon!

[delirium]

Y'all rock! I'm glad I shared this here, after all. I was beginning to feel like I shouldn't have.

I think I'll just continue on as usual, and if it happens again, I may bring it up to someone. It was probably just me being tired. Or something else.

My significant other thinks our house is haunted, she's had experiences where she'll think I'm standing behind her and start talking and nobody is there, that sort of thing.

Who knows.

Thanks for listening and for sharing your opinions on this.