FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean by 'Hearing Voices'?
I want to go to a Hearing Voices Group - where and when do I go?
Is this an 'alternative' treatment?

1. What do you mean by 'Hearing Voices'?

'Hearing Voices' is a term coined to represent the experience of what is also called 'auditory hallucinations', or hearing things that other people cannot. People with a range of different diagnoses may hear voices, including Schizophrenia, Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Schizo-Affective Disorder, and mood disorders with psychotic features. Some people don't hear distinct voices, but may hear music, animals, odd noises or unidentifiable sounds. These are all included in the experience.

The meaning of 'Hearing Voices' has also expanded to include other sensory experiences besides hearing - such as seeing things or visions, smelling or tasting, and physically feeling sensations of touch in or on your body.

Using the term 'Hearing Voices' is also intended to be a respectful term for those people who live with this experience, as it is framed from the voice hearer's experience (that is, 'I hear the voices...even if you do not'), rather than from a clinician's point of view ('I can't hear anything, therefore you are hallucinating').

2. I want to go to a Hearing Voices Group - where and when do I go?

Prahran Mission runs a Hearing Voices group every Tuesday, on a term by term basis. It is open to anyone who'd like to attend. Contact us on 9692 9500 for details.

If there is no group yet available in your area, feel free to email us your details to be added to our waiting list. As soon as a group starts in your area, we will contact you (the more people who ask, the easier it will be to get new groups started, so please do not hesitate!).

3. Is this an 'alternative' treatment?

No, but it is relatively new. The first Hearing Voices group was started by Professor Marius Romme, a psychiatrist in Holland, based on research he conducted into voice hearing. Many groups are facilitated by psychologists or social workers when they start, but over time, voice hearers are supported and encouraged to take over the role of facilitator. There are probably now more groups in the world run by voice hearers than by mental health 'professionals'. In Victoria we plan to start facilitating groups with pairs - a mental health worker and a voice hearer - working together. As the voice hearers are ready to take over, we will support them to do so. We do not advocate stopping other treatments you may be receiving, but we do encourage you to try this approach as an addition.