Why am I hearing voices?
Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.
– Written by
Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.
– Updated on May 24, 2026
Question
I’ve been struggling with severe insomnia for the past few weeks. I can’t sleep at night, I sometimes go days without any rest and none of the medications I’ve tried have helped. Lately I’ve started hearing things and even though I’ve previously tested negative for schizophrenia, I’m also experiencing mild hallucinations so I’m afraid they might get worse.
It feels like I’m slowly losing touch with reality.
On the rare occasions I do manage to sleep, I wake up drenched in sweat, my mind racing with panic until I can reassure myself it was only a dream. Just the other day, I found myself pacing for over an hour, unable to calm down.
I’m constantly on edge. I am shaky, anxious and jumping at the slightest sound or shadow.
I have a therapist appointment scheduled in two days but honestly I don’t know if I can wait that long. I feel dangerously close to snapping and I’m scared.
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Answer
Given the fact that you are feeling frightened about losing your grip on reality it would be a good idea to either go to the emergency of the nearest hospital or call 911 so that they can send help. They could take you to the emergency room.
Of course, there is no way that I could possibly offer any kind of diagnosis over the Internet. In addition, you have offered very little information. However, I can suggest some possible problems that may be causing your problems.
You could be suffering from PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you are a recent war veteran or have been through something extremely life threatening, it could explain the onset of symptoms.
It is always a good idea to have a complete physical examination. It is always possible that a physical condition contributes to what seem like psychiatric problems. High blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and other problems have been implicated in contributing to changes in the brain. Get a physical check up.
Schizophrenia is not the only psychiatric condition that can lead to hallucinations. For example, this can happen with anything from Major Depression to Bipolar Disorder and the abuse of certain illicit drugs. I am not in anyway implying that you are using drugs. I do not know you. Therefore, just be aware of this.
There are always other possibilities.
Go to the hospital emergency room and get yourself checked out. You are feeling an enormous amount of panic and this could relieve that for you. Also, get that physical exam with your physician.
Best of luck.
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The Clinical Affairs Team at MentalHealth.com is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience. They actively contribute to the development of content, products, and services, and meticulously review all medical material before publication to ensure accuracy and alignment with current research and conversations in mental health. For more information, please visit the Editorial Policy.
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MentalHealth.com is a health technology company dedicated to guiding people toward self-understanding and human connection. We provide reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities that educate, support, and empower people throughout their mental health journey.
Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a somatic psychologist with more than 20 years of experience in clinical psychology and neuropsychology.
Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D. is a medical writer with more than 30 years of clinical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He writes on a wide range of mental health topics, including mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, abuse, stress, and relationship challenges.
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Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.
– Written by
Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.
– Updated on May 24, 2026
Additional Reading
The Clinical Affairs Team at MentalHealth.com is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience. They actively contribute to the development of content, products, and services, and meticulously review all medical material before publication to ensure accuracy and alignment with current research and conversations in mental health. For more information, please visit the Editorial Policy.
MentalHealth.com is a health technology company dedicated to guiding people toward self-understanding and human connection. We provide reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities that educate, support, and empower people throughout their mental health journey.