When mentally ill people say they "hear voices," it is generally not in the same way as hearing someone speak to them in the external world. Instead, it is an internal perceptual experience, and the voices are not originating from any external source. This phenomenon is known as auditory hallucinations.
Auditory hallucinations are most commonly associated with mental health conditions like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, severe depression, and some other psychotic disorders. During these experiences, individuals perceive sounds, voices, or other noises that are not present in their external environment.
The voices can vary significantly from person to person and may have different characteristics, such as being positive, negative, neutral, commanding, or critical. Some people may hear multiple voices talking to each other, while others might experience a single voice directed at them. In some cases, the voices may be perceived as coming from inside the person's head, while in others, they may appear to originate from an external source.
It is essential to understand that auditory hallucinations are real experiences for the individuals who have them, even if the voices are not based in reality. These experiences can be distressing, confusing, and disruptive to their daily lives. Treatment and support are crucial to helping individuals cope with and manage these symptoms. Therapies, medication, and counseling can all play a role in addressing auditory hallucinations and underlying mental health conditions.