Are You Hearing Voices or Feeling Controlled? Get Support Today!

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to Dr.Galen. Please find the below response to your query.

What you’re describing — hearing voices and feeling like you might be a robot controlled from a distance — are experiences that can feel very unsettling and confusing. These types of thoughts and perceptions can happen for a variety of reasons, and you’re not "crazy" for having them. However, they do indicate that something is going on with how you’re processing reality at the moment.

1. Anxiety or Stress: High levels of stress, anxiety, or trauma can distort the way you perceive sounds or other sensory inputs. Stress can make your mind feel "hypervigilant," making normal sounds or thoughts seem more intrusive, like voices.

2. Dissociation: If you’re feeling disconnected from reality or yourself (like believing you’re a robot), this might be a form of dissociation. Dissociative experiences often occur when someone is under emotional or psychological distress.

3. Psychotic Symptoms: Sometimes, hearing voices or feeling controlled by an external force can be early signs of psychosis or a psychotic episode. These symptoms can occur in disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder (during manic or depressive episodes), or schizoaffective disorder. They don’t necessarily mean you have one of these conditions, but it’s important to take them seriously.

4. Auditory Hallucinations: Hearing voices could be an auditory hallucination. This doesn’t always mean a severe mental illness is present; hallucinations can occur for various reasons, including sleep deprivation, substance use, or extreme emotional distress.

Why Might This Be Happening?

There are several potential underlying causes:

• Mental Health Conditions: Certain conditions like depression, anxiety, or psychotic disorders can cause people to hear voices or feel disconnected from their bodies or reality.
• Past Trauma: People who have experienced trauma sometimes develop dissociative symptoms as a coping mechanism, which can involve hearing voices or feeling disconnected.
• Substance Use: Some medications, drugs, or alcohol can also lead to these kinds of experiences.
• Neurological Issues: In some cases, issues like migraines, epilepsy, or other neurological conditions can cause hallucinations or strange perceptual experiences.
• Reach Out for Support: It’s important to speak to a mental health professional who can help you understand what’s happening and guide you through the appropriate steps to take.
• Track Your Symptoms: Keep a journal of when these experiences happen. Note how you’re feeling, any stress you’re under, and any medications or substances you’re using. This can help professionals better understand the context of these experiences.
• Stay Grounded: Grounding techniques like mindfulness, focusing on your surroundings, or practicing deep breathing can help you stay connected to reality when you feel like things are slipping away.

Many people experience similar symptoms at various points in their lives, and with the right help, they often find ways to cope and recover. Reaching out to a professional can provide clarity and help address the root cause. You’re not "crazy" — you’re going through something that deserves attention and support.

Thanks