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Answers

Why am I hearing voices?

\"\"Written byAllan Schwartz, Ph.D.\"\"Medically reviewed byJesse Hanson, Ph.D.
Published
Updated
Reviewed

Summary

\"Morning

A reader describes weeks of severe insomnia, hearing things, panic, and fear of losing touch with reality. They have a therapy appointment soon but are unsure whether they can wait.

The response prioritizes emergency assessment because of the reader’s fear and current symptoms, rather than treating a future appointment as sufficient by itself.

It explains that hallucinations can have several psychiatric, substance-related, or physical explanations and recommends a medical evaluation while explicitly declining to diagnose online.

?

Question

Reader · Identity withheld

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.

\n

It feels like I’m slowly losing touch with reality.

\n

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.

\n

I’m constantly on edge. I am shaky, anxious and jumping at the slightest sound or shadow.

\n

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.

\"\"

Answer

Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.

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.

\n

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.

\n

You could be suffering from 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.

\n

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.

\n

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.

\n

There are always other possibilities.

\n

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.

\n

Best of luck.

Subject matter expert

\"\"

Carlos Protzel Psy.D.

Integrative mental health care

\"\"
Author

Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.

Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of private practice experience.

\"\"
Medical reviewer

Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.

Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body…

\"\"

Related community

Medical Conditions

Explore the connections between physical health conditions and mental well-being.

Related questions

What else can help my son stop hearing voices?What should I do if my son says he hears voices and whispers?Why do I hear voices and feel no emotion?
","text":"Home Answers Why am I hearing voices? AnswersWhy am I hearing voices? Written byAllan Schwartz, Ph.D.Medically reviewed byJesse Hanson, Ph.D. Published July 18, 2025 Updated June 11, 2026 Reviewed September 15, 2025 SummaryQuestionAnswer Summary A reader describes weeks of severe insomnia, hearing things, panic, and fear of losing touch with reality. They have a therapy appointment soon but are unsure whether they can wait. The response prioritizes emergency assessment because of the reader’s fear and current symptoms, rather than treating a future appointment as sufficient by itself. It explains that hallucinations can have several psychiatric, substance-related, or physical explanations and recommends a medical evaluation while explicitly declining to diagnose online. ? Question Reader · Identity withheld 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. Answer Allan Schwartz, Ph.D. 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 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. Subject matter expert Carlos Protzel Psy.D. Integrative mental health care AuthorAllan Schwartz, Ph.D. Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of private practice experience. Medical reviewerJesse Hanson, Ph.D. Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body… Related community Medical Conditions Explore the connections between physical health conditions and mental well-being. 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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. 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They have a therapy appointment soon but are unsure whether they can wait.","answer":"The response prioritizes emergency assessment because of the reader’s fear and current symptoms, rather than treating a future appointment as sufficient by itself. It explains that hallucinations can have several psychiatric, substance-related, or physical explanations and recommends a medical evaluation while explicitly declining to diagnose online."},"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/hear-voices-uncover-the-reasons-with-expert-advice","sourceReviewer":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson"},"question":{"id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/hear-voices-uncover-the-reasons-with-expert-advice#question","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/hear-voices-uncover-the-reasons-with-expert-advice#question","html":"

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.

\n

It feels like I’m slowly losing touch with reality.

\n

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.

\n

I’m constantly on edge. I am shaky, anxious and jumping at the slightest sound or shadow.

\n

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.

","text":"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."},"answer":{"id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/hear-voices-uncover-the-reasons-with-expert-advice#answer","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/hear-voices-uncover-the-reasons-with-expert-advice#answer","html":"

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.

\n

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.

\n

You could be suffering from 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.

\n

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.

\n

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.

\n

There are always other possibilities.

\n

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.

\n

Best of luck.

","text":"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 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.","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz#person","name":"Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz"}},"summaryScope":"Editorial overview of the original question and response; original review dates apply to the source conversation."},"presentation":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-03","template":"answer-conversation","imageGeneratedAt":"2026-10-03"},"seo":{"title":"Why am I hearing voices when I can’t sleep?","description":"A reader describes weeks of severe insomnia, hearing things, panic, and fear of losing touch with reality.","canonical":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/hear-voices-uncover-the-reasons-with-expert-advice","robots":"index,follow","socialImage":{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/f7d19272dd5d30590dddbab9.png","width":1200,"height":630,"alt":"MentalHealth.com — Answers","type":"image/png","sitemapGroup":"answers"}},"subjectMatterExpert":{"name":"Carlos Protzel, Psy.D.","url":"/people/carlos-protzel","profileId":"13151","topic":"wellbeing","focus":"Integrative mental health care","selectionBasis":"Documented expertise in the existing published profile","reviewAttribution":false},"navigation":[{"label":"Summary","href":"#summary"},{"label":"Question","href":"#question"},{"label":"Answer","href":"#answer"}],"relatedCommunity":{"community":"/community/medical-conditions","basis":"topic match"},"collections":[]}