[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ next_background_color=”#ffffff” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/livvapp.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/LIVV_Background-03-scaled.jpg” bottom_divider_style=”wave2″ bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”gcid-7268bce1-ecf7-49ce-abdd-285e68c26754″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-7268bce1-ecf7-49ce-abdd-285e68c26754%22:%91%22header_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n
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Here we take a brief look at some scientific theories about why people hear voices. These explanations aren’t presented in any particular order, don’t exclude each other, and they all have pros and cons.<\/p>\n
There are plenty of other explanations for voice-hearing – for example, some voices are an important aspect of spirituality or creativity. If you want information on this, see the links at the bottom of the page.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” bottom_divider_height=”46px” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-16px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-16px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#f04393″ text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Most of us talk to ourselves in our heads. For example, you might say to yourself \u2018Remember to buy milk\u2019 while heading out in the morning. This is called inner speech <\/strong>and some scientists think it is linked to voice-hearing.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/livvapp.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/AdobeStock_401825471-scaled-e1654016636621.jpeg” alt=”Inner dialogue image” title_text=”Dialogue with yourself” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fade” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The theory says that a person hears a voice when they have actually talked to themselves in inner speech, but for some reason don\u2019t recognize these thoughts as their own. The result is that a bit of inner speech that was actually produced by you becomes attributed to another person or voice.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”If voices are inner speech, why don’t people recognise them as their own?” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600|||||||” closed_title_font=”|600|||||||” border_color_all=”#D6D6D6″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”What’s the evidence?” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”gcid-79cc606c-03f1-4605-89b9-7af18b50f4b0″ title_font=”|600|||||||” closed_title_font=”|600|||||||” border_color_all=”#D6D6D6″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-79cc606c-03f1-4605-89b9-7af18b50f4b0%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/livvapp.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/LIVV_Background-02-scaled.jpg” top_divider_style=”wave2″ top_divider_flip=”vertical” bottom_divider_style=”wave2″ bottom_divider_height=”48px” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#f04393″ text_font_size=”18px” header_text_color=”gcid-83de25f9-173c-4950-9c13-0c82b7ec6537″ header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”gcid-83de25f9-173c-4950-9c13-0c82b7ec6537″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-83de25f9-173c-4950-9c13-0c82b7ec6537%22:%91%22header_text_color%22,%22header_2_text_color%22%93}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Richard Bentall” job_title=”Professor of Clinical Psychology” company_name=”University of Sheffield” portrait_url=”https:\/\/livvapp.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Richard-Bentall.jpg” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The evidence of a link between childhood misfortune and future psychotic disorder is about as strong statistically as the link between smoking and lung cancer<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Some types of voices are best understood as having their roots in memories of traumatic life experiences<\/strong>, particularly those that occur in childhood. This could be things like neglect, bullying, physical, sexual and emotional abuse.\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_circle_counter title=”People with a history of childhood trauma are 3 times more likely to develop psychosis” number=”300″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_circle_counter][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Some people report voices and other unusual experiences that are like \u2018flash backs\u2019 or memories that directly replay or echo the traumatic event. For others, the link is more complicated. For example, a survivor of childhood abuse struggling with shame and other negative feelings might hear a voice saying they are worthless or telling them to do dangerous or unacceptable things.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Lela*” portrait_url=”https:\/\/livvapp.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Screenshot-2022-05-27-at-18.25.52.png” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Voices in response to trauma aren’t always so frightening, though. Sometimes people hear a supportive or guiding voice that helps them get through difficult and traumatic times.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ next_background_color=”#000000″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” bottom_divider_style=”none” bottom_divider_height=”57px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#f04393″ text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Voice-hearing can also be linked to things that happen in our lives – both to us and in the places we live. These include money worries, access to school and work, and community problems.<\/p>\n Recent research in London found that poverty and deprivation<\/strong> can increase a person\u2019s risk of developing psychosis, as can living in a city as opposed to a rural area<\/strong>. Inequality is also a contributing factor. Poor people living in neighbourhoods where richer people also live tend to have a greater risk of developing psychotic experiences \u00a0<\/span>–\u00a0 <\/span>like voices – than those living in neighbourhoods where most people have a similar income.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/livvapp.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Black-Caribbean.png” title_text=”Psychosis and ethnicity” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fade” animation_direction=”left” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”on|4px|4px|4px|4px” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” alt=”Image describing increased prevalence of psychosis in Black Caribbean, Black African and Pakistani communities.” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n People from minority ethnic groups<\/strong> living in the UK are much more likely than white British people to be diagnosed with psychosis or schizophrenia. Social exclusion, discrimination, everyday and institutional racism all contribute to the problem.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ prev_background_color=”#FFFFFF” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_image=”https:\/\/livvapp.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/LIVV_Background-02-scaled.jpg” top_divider_style=”wave2″ top_divider_flip=”vertical” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#f04393″ text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/livvapp.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Screenshot-2022-05-27-at-16.19.29-1024×1015.png” alt=”Brain regions involved in hearing voices” title_text=”Brain regions involved in hearing voices” show_in_lightbox=”on” admin_label=”Brain image” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” animation_style=”fade” animation_direction=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(126,143,242,0.21)” custom_padding=”12px|22px|12px|22px|true|true” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#037F8C” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Scientists now think of the brain as a \u2018prediction machine\u2019<\/strong> whose main job is not to process information coming from outside, but instead to predict what is happening in the world and adjust those predictions on the basis of new information. The theory holds that usually there is often too much information for the brain to take in, so we take a shortcuts or \u2018fill in the gaps\u2019. How we fill in the gaps might be based on past experiences and what we have learned to expect about the world.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n This means that if you get used to there being particular threats around you \u00a0<\/span>\u2013 e.g. snide comments, whispers, or outright abuse \u2013 your brain might start \u2018filling in the gaps\u2019 with those expectations.<\/b> In some cases, this might lead to hearing unpleasant voices; in others, it could result in seeing a dark shadow, or feeling like someone is touching or pushing you.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_toggle title=”Find out more” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600|||||||” border_color_all=”#D6D6D6″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The following resources might be useful for anyone with an interest in scientific explanations of voice-hearing:<\/p>\n Voices and inner speech<\/a><\/p>\n Voices and trauma<\/a><\/p>\n Voices and adversity<\/a><\/p>\n Voices and the brain<\/a><\/p>\n If you’d like information on other reasons why someone might hear voices, take a look at:<\/p>\n Voices and spirituality<\/a><\/p>\n Voices and creativity<\/a><\/p>\n Writers’ Inner Voices<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”References” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600|||||||” border_color_all=”#D6D6D6″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ben Alderson-Day and Charles Fernyhough (2015). <\/span>Inner speech: Development, cognitive functions, phenomenology, and neurobiology<\/span><\/a>.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Psychological Bulletin<\/span>, 141(5), 931-965. doi: 10.1037\/bul0000021.<\/span><\/p>\n Alderson-Day et al (2016). <\/span>The brain\u2019s conversation with itself: Neural substrates of dialogic inner speech<\/span>. <\/span><\/a>Social Cognitive & Affective <\/span>Neuroscience<\/span>, Vol. 11, Issue 1. doi: 10.1093\/scan\/nsv094.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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2. Voices can be responses to trauma<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Social and environmental factors can play a role<\/h2>\n
4. What’s happening in the brain is relevant too …<\/h2>\n
Did you know?<\/strong><\/h4>\n