Auditory Hallucinations in Schizophrenia: A Family Perspective - Psychiatry

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I would like to inquire about the issue of auditory hallucinations in family members?


Hello Doctor, the article is a bit long QAQ.

The general situation is that my sister, who is being treated for schizophrenia, has recently been experiencing persistent auditory hallucinations.
She has been sending voice messages and texts to a classmate who has blocked her, believing she can perceive that classmate's thoughts and feelings, and wants to communicate with him.
My sister showed signs of illness starting in middle school (she has seen doctors and taken medication).
About five years ago, she secretly stopped taking her medication, which led to a more severe relapse, resulting in a hospital stay of over a month.
She is now attending regular follow-ups and receiving long-acting injections, and while she is somewhat stable with medication adherence, she has limited insight into her condition and still experiences some symptoms of auditory hallucinations (for example, hearing various 'inner thoughts' or having certain 'intuitions').
Sometimes she struggles to distinguish which thoughts are her own, and she often feels bored and seeks someone to talk to, frequently coming to find me (she tends to want to stay in my room all day).
Recently, however, she has started to close her bedroom door (which is also related to my occasional desire to do my own things).
When she talks on the phone, she sometimes closes the door, and I keep a discreet eye on her (she has previously chatted with some online friends who sent strange photos or tried to scam her, but she is now better at rejecting such interactions and has mostly stopped using dating apps).

This time, she told me that she has been sending voice messages to a boy she likes from her high school night school (she returned to school a few years after graduating from middle school, and her relapse after stopping medication also occurred during her senior year).
Since her relapse and discharge from the hospital, she still 'feels' that she and this boy have mutual feelings for each other, as if they are soulmates.
During her various hallucinations, she has also heard the boy speaking to her, and recently, while talking to me in the afternoon, she suddenly said to wait a moment because she needed to do something else, then closed the door and started sending voice messages to that boy.
It felt like she was responding to what she perceived as the 'boy's thoughts.'
Before this, my family and I thought she had been chatting with friends (whom she met through an online group for a 'mental health growth course,' and fortunately, the people she has met are generally supportive and encouraging).
I briefly checked her chat history and found that besides sending voice messages, she would suddenly send messages like 'What's wrong with you?' or 'I feel like you're not happy right now,' or 'Yeah, me too,' but in reality, the boy did not reply to any of her messages (he had blocked her on LINE a few years ago).
However, aside from this, my sister seems to be doing relatively well, appearing to be in a good mood because she has something to do and a new way to express or share herself.
She might also be aware that it looks a bit strange to others when she is alone sending voice messages to her phone, which is why she closes the door.
However, she often stays in there for an entire day (though she doesn't spend all day sending messages; sometimes she talks for a minute or two, and other times she shares bits of her life for half an hour, intermittently).
Occasionally, she comes out to chat for a bit and have a snack.

Although the doctor has mentioned that some people may experience symptoms occasionally due to changes in weather or other factors, I am still a bit concerned.
I wonder if this situation can be considered 'relatively stable,' or if it is simply a manifestation of symptoms that have always been present, now becoming apparent through this situation.
She just had a follow-up appointment last week, and I am unsure if this situation existed then.
She prefers to talk to the doctor alone during her visits, so I'm not certain if she mentioned it.
The next follow-up is in a month, so I wanted to consult you first to understand what this symptom might indicate.
If there are no other signs of relapse, is it sufficient to keep a close watch? I apologize for the lengthy message, and thank you for your help.
^ ^

Yangyang, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2024/01/19

Dr. Qiu Junda reply Psychiatry


Hello.
Regarding your sister's condition, as you mentioned: the doctor has noted that some individuals may occasionally experience symptoms due to factors such as weather changes.
If there are no significant disturbances or impacts, her condition should be considered stable.
Additionally, the long-acting injections she is receiving are beneficial for maintaining her stability.
There's no need to worry for now; just keep an eye on her.

Reply Date: 2024/01/19

More Info


Understanding auditory hallucinations, particularly in the context of schizophrenia, can be complex and nuanced, especially from a family perspective. Your sister's experience with auditory hallucinations, where she perceives sounds or voices that are not present, is a common symptom associated with schizophrenia and related disorders. It’s important to recognize that these hallucinations can significantly impact her perception of reality and her interactions with others.

From your description, it seems that your sister has been managing her condition with medication and regular check-ups, which is a positive step. However, the persistence of her auditory hallucinations, particularly her belief that she can communicate with a classmate through her perceptions, indicates that she may still be experiencing symptoms that require attention. The fact that she feels a connection to this individual and interprets her hallucinations as meaningful interactions suggests a level of engagement with her symptoms that can be concerning.

Auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia can manifest in various ways, including hearing voices that comment on one’s behavior, giving commands, or even conversing with the individual. In your sister's case, her belief that she is receiving messages from the boy she likes could be a form of "command hallucination," where she feels compelled to act on these perceived communications. This can lead to behaviors that may seem unusual or concerning to family members, such as sending messages to someone who has blocked her.

It's also worth noting that the lack of insight into her condition—her limited awareness of her illness—can complicate her treatment. Individuals with schizophrenia often struggle with recognizing their symptoms as part of a mental health disorder, which can hinder their willingness to adhere to treatment plans. This lack of insight can lead to a cycle where symptoms persist or worsen, as seen in your sister's case when she stopped taking her medication.

In terms of her current stability, it’s essential to monitor her behavior closely. While she may appear to be functioning relatively well at times, the presence of hallucinations and her engagement with them through messaging can indicate that she is not entirely stable. The fact that she isolates herself by closing her door and spends significant time communicating with her hallucinations could be a sign of her retreating into her own world, which is a common coping mechanism for individuals experiencing such symptoms.

Given that she recently had a follow-up appointment, it would be beneficial for you or another family member to encourage her to discuss her experiences with her healthcare provider. Open communication about her symptoms, including her auditory hallucinations and how they affect her daily life, is crucial for her treatment. If she is reluctant to share this information, you might consider speaking with her doctor yourself (with her permission) to provide insights into her behavior and symptoms.

In conclusion, while your sister may currently seem stable, the presence of ongoing auditory hallucinations and her engagement with them warrants careful observation and possibly further intervention. Encourage her to maintain her treatment regimen, and consider discussing her symptoms with her healthcare provider at the next appointment. It’s essential to approach this situation with empathy and understanding, recognizing that her experiences are real to her, even if they do not align with external reality.

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