I have a bipolar-2 sister and possibly-psychotic aunt.
I had never had any hallucinations of any sort until recently. I’m 35. Never anything visual - only auditory stuff.
Every once in a few months, I’d get what I thought were harmless hypnogogic or hypnopompic hallucinations - these split-second sounds of someone talking, etc. before I fell asleep or after I woke up - but now they’re increasing in length and frequency.
Just this morning alone, I heard a mechanical beep-buzz (from inside my bed, which I know for sure there’s nothing there,) a woman’s voice saying something like “reppp”, a few days ago I heard/felt a sound like loud TV static in my ear, a few weeks ago an even longer TV static sound, and a few weeks ago a woman’s voice saying clearly “Is she there?” And these aren’t just when I’m about to fall asleep, they happen even when I’ve been awake or semi-awake for a few minutes, in bed.
I could go see a specialist but wanted to first check to see if this is cause for real worry or not.
As do I; mine seem to be limited to when I’m either very tired or on certain medication. About 40 years ago, back when I was living alone, I woke to what I thought were the voices of a superfluity of nuns entering my room. And I’m nowhere near being Catholic!
I have had similar when just about to fall asleep or wake up…hearing someone calling my name or a voice (it isn’t loud or super clear). I think that’s somewhat normal, as I’ve heard of others having the same thing happen, though not sure what causes it.
I also have heard a bell or ringing in my head (ears) too, but I have slight tinnitus, so I know it’s attributed to that. I’ve wondered if there is a connection to the voices with tinnitus too though…there is an ongoing or off and on static buzzing or ringing noise you hear, but your brain interprets it as speech sometimes maybe? Just tossin’ out my thoughts on it…no expert by any means. It’s not the most comfortable thing though, so I get your concern.
But these aren’t when falling asleep. OP says “they happen even when I’ve been awake or semi-awake for a few minutes, in bed.” Personally, yes, I would check in with a medical professional about it. I’ve gotten the sleep auditory hallucinations – for me, it was hearing songs that don’t exist in my head for upwards of a couple minutes while teetering on the edge of sleep and while in a sleep-deprived and stressed state. But a few minutes after waking? I would talk to a professional if only for peace of mind.
I’ve had them in the waking time, never while falling asleep. The OP talks about semi-waking, perfect circumstances for it. They can certainly talk to s specialist about it, but it is also common and not serious as described. His own link says that. I think people can become overly concerned because ‘hearing voices’ is associated with more serious problems like schizophrenia but that doesn’t manifest like this. Obviously the OP should see someone if it’s more serious than waking time voices.
It may be nothing, or it could be something. Better to be safe than sorry. You should discuss your symptoms with your family physician. He can refer you to a specialist if needed.
Well I had some. It is very rare now and usually now falls into the category of mistaking one sound for another in that moment of quazi-sleep (which it sounds like where you are). As such I think it’s just the mind using some sounds in a dream like way, though I am open to spiritual explanations and may also ask why and does that sound seem to have any meaning or have any messages for me.
There was a time when those sounds however were more than described here, and it sent me on what I consider a ‘spiritual’ journey that really helped me a lot and solved some seemingly unsolvable issues in my life. It was very hard and scary but wonderful to experience and I’m very glad I did.
@Velocity
I hope you are only using this thread as a sounding board. It seems to me that you have started quite a few thread in the past months detailing different problems in your life. IIRC losing your job and with that insurance, mental health issues.
Do seek professional help. The fact that you are asking these questions should tell you that you need that. I am not in any way qualified to help you, hence my advice.
Not to attempy to diagnose the OP, who may want to seek professional guidance for peace of mind, but hypnagogic hallucinations, which may be triggered by anxiety, are surprisingly common.
“An older study among people ages 15 and older found that almost 25 percent experienced sleep-related hallucinations.”
I’m dubious about the Cleveland Clinic statement that people know “instantly” when awakening from a dream that they were dreaming. Sometimes it’s taken me half a minute or so to reassure myself that whatever ghastly scenario I was dreaming about wasn’t real.