Hearing things

[Fowler01]

Hi I woke up at 4am last night and I thought I heard one of my daughters saying mum and got up and checked them both and they were fast asleep. We have a baby monitor so it must have just been them breathing not sure! Should I be worried? Is this PPP reoccurring?

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Fowler01,

It's so unsettling when things like this happen. Both of my boys occasionally talk in their sleep and I sometimes wake up convinced I've heard something and go searching around the house (we used to have a toy boat thing that attached to the bathroom tiles, a couple of times we'd left it stuck there and it came crashing down in the night and frightened the life out of me!). It can be hard to know if we were dreaming, or if something woke us and then what that was. Things have a kind of surreal feel in the night too don't they, and when we're not fully awake.

Try not to worry, one of your daughters may well have called out in her sleep. If you start noticing that you do seem to be hearing voices or other things that aren't there though, do talk to your doctor. Can you chat things through with your husband too, just so he knows you're worried and can be there to support you too?

Try to get some rest today and look after yourself.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[Fowler01 in reply to Jenny_at_APP]

Thanks Jenny, I get so worked up that I’m going to fall ill again and worry at the littlest thing. I haven’t heard anything else today so feeling a bit more relaxed now and think it was just me in my sleepy state. I’ve spoken to my husband so he’s aware too. Hope you’re well

[Jenny_at_APP Partner in reply to Fowler01]

That worry is so understandable. I found the more time passed that I didn't get unwell again when I was worrying about it, mostly when I went through a patch of rubbish sleep, the more relaxed I could feel. But it's also important to be aware of any signs, so I guess it's finding a balance and trusting that you and those around you will know if it crosses that line... Try to be reassured that those around you are looking out for you too, and I'm glad you felt more relaxed through the day yesterday.

I'm well thank you Take good care xx

[Antitodo]

Hi @Fowler01,

Since having had PP in 2023, I have twice heard "a voice in my head". Both times though while I was half asleep / in the process of waking up, so it is hard for me to know if I was still sleeping/dreaming. But both times I heard the voice quite strongly and clearly. However psychosis did not return, although I was scared that it would.

I think, to certain extent, it can be normal to hear things that aren't there, especially when in transitions between dream and waking. As a mum, it can also be normal to be on alert and think we are hearing our little ones calling us or crying when it isn't true.

To certain extent, the brain is constantly "creating" input by assuming things based on previous experience (think of visual or auditory illusions).

All this to say, please do not panic yet. What you describe could be psychosis returning, but may well be a completely normal experience. Due to our history, we will always wonder if we are getting ill again, while another person might not think twice about this experience.

Keep an eye out, but do not stress about it, at least not yet.

[Fowler01 in reply to Antitodo]

Thanks for your post, sorry you’ve also experienced voices but I’m glad I’m not the only one. And I’m really pleased to hear it didn’t return! I’m hoping I’m just jumping ahead too much and I will remain well.

[Ellacott_08 Volunteer]

Hi Fowler01

Thanks for your post. As Jenny says it must have been unsettling for you when this happened. I think when we are recovering from pp especially early on it can be hard to trust yourself. If it happened to someone who hadn't have pp they would just dismiss it, but because of our experiences it comes with a worry that we may be getting ill again.

Similar experiences happen to me when I'm in-between sleeping and waking up. And it may well have been your child taking in their sleep. I would try not worry about it, but if it keeps bothering you please talk to your doctor.

Also I hope your EMDR is going well.

Take care

Becky x

[Fowler01 in reply to Ellacott_08]

Thank you Becky feeling a bit more relaxed now as the day has gone on. Really terrified of becoming unwell again but hopefully not. EMDR went well thanks, think I will go for a couple more sessions. Hope you’re well

[Isabella5991]

Hello,

I wouldn’t panic too much. I have bipolar 1 and had pp 4 years ago. I’ve been able to see and hear things since I was a child. It doesn’t always mean illness at all. More like a variation of normal. Don’t get me wrong, there is time to take it very seriously, like with pp.

how do you feel on the day to day? Stable? Or feeling like need more support.

It sounds like you had a hypogogic hallucination, have a little research, you may feel this fits your experience. But well done on reaching out and reach out to your mental health professionals if you feel if something is not right xx

[Isabella5991 in reply to Isabella5991]

I hear voices saying my name, whispering, whistling etc during hypogogic hallucinations xx