StrategiesforCopingwithDistressingVoices Hearing Voices Network Australia

Auspiced by Richmond Fellowship WA

FOCUSING TECHNIQUES

Accepting that voices are not the problem, they are a consequence of a problem. Your job is to find out more Identify your voices number, gender, age and so on Learn about boundaries to apply to people and your voices (i.e., make a deal with your voices, be quiet now and Ill listen later) Listen out for positive voices toothey can be allies Schedule a time to listen to the voices and ask them to leave you alone until that time Tell negative voices that you will only talk with them if they are respectful towards you Voice dialogue let a trusted family member, friend or mental health worker talk directly to your voices Work through Ron Colman & Mike Smiths Working with Voices II work book with a trusted family member, friend or mental health worker Write down what the voices are saying to you Go for a picnic Listen to energetic music Look at good things achieved list Look at photo albums Look at the list of good things others have said about you Make a list of your assets or strengths

Make an emergency comfort bundle (of goodies) Read books, love letters, love poems Read joke books / emails Say positive statements to self Record positive statements on tape (your voice) Watch films comedy or inspirational

THINGS THAT MAY HELP VOICE HEARERS TO COPE

POINTS TO REMEMBER TO ENABLE ME TO LOOK AFTER MYSELF:

Do something nice for me each day Eat a healthy diet Keep regular appointments with my support network even if I am feeling OKAY Look up, get perspective, stretch or shift your body Plan my day; ensure I do not have long periods of time with nothing to do Reach out. Talk to someone Take medication as prescribed (in consultation) Think about how I am feeling and be realistic about what I can achieve Try to see the grey areas

EMOTIONAL FOCUSING

POSITIVE EMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES

Discuss feelings with another person List emotional triggers Paint / draw emotions Rainy day letter Write a diary Write poetry / prose regarding feelings

Acupuncture Avoiding street drugs Chanting or singing Distraction e.g. reading, and computer games Focusing on the voices Going to Hearing Voices Groups Having good support around you, good friends, family, nurse, counsellor etc Holidays Humour Identifying when you are most likely to hear the voices Ignoring voices Isolating self Keeping a diary about them Keeping occupied e.g. cooking, house chores Keeping physically active and healthy Listening to music Massage Meditation Money Positive attitudes Praying /speaking to God Religion/Deliverance and Healing Sex Shouting at the voices Sleeping Staff listening to you Talking (to a trusted person) Being over-medicated Being told not to talk about voices Dreams and trying to get to sleep Labelling Lack of sleep Not having information Other people denying the

existence of voices Other people denying your explanation of your voices Professionals thinking they know more about your voices than you do Side effects of the medication Thinking negatively Being socially isolated Acknowledge fear, worry, and stress and let go consciously. Trust Count your breaths Dancing / walking Focus on the position of your body Focus solely on breathing / breathe deeply Give yourself permission to relax Guided fantasy dreamtime Learn (figure 8) Yoga breath Listen to guided relaxation on tape Listen to relaxing music Massage hands, feet, head, etc Relax each muscle individually Swimming / floating Yoga

RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

feeling Plan safety Remember that situations and feelings frequently change-"This too shall pass" (King Solomon) Rest on my bed Shout into my pillow Try to identify how I am feeling Buy / pick fresh flowers Change the sheets on your bed Cuddle up to a teddy Eat a favourite food in moderation Have a bubble bath Have a soothing drink Hold a safe comforting object Find a safe space Hug someone Listen to soothing music / favourite soft music Prayer / meditation / creative visualization Put lights / radio on (to sleep) Sing favourite songs Sit in a safe place Soak your feet / Radox bath Spray room fragrance Stroke / brush your pet or someone elses Use perfume / hand cream or take a warm bath Use pot pouri / essential oils Wear comfortable clothes Write a diary or talk about how you feel with another person Zen seeing (with a friend)

GENERAL IDEAS

COMFORTING TECHNIQUES

Dont beat yourself up, we all make mistakes List achievements Make a contract with your voices Positive self talk Self forgiveness (find yourself innocent) Talk to the voices, find out how they feel Wear one ear plug

DISTRACTION TECHNIQUES

THINGS THAT MAY WORK FOR ME IN A CRISIS

WHAT MAY NOT HELP

Ask for help sooner not later Create a personalised crises plan when you are feeling well Cry Find a safe place Hand in my medication / blades or other similar items Have PRN medication Kick boxes around outside Let people know where I am Let someone know how I am

Cinema Clean or tidy things up Do puzzles or develop a hobby Exercise walking/running/ dance/beach Gardening / striking pot plants Listening to CDs / mp3 player Paint or draw pictures / posters / cards Playing games/cards/ computer Reading out aloud or hum a tune to yourself Sewing / knitting / collecting Shopping Sports Telephone a friend Use visual imagery or count to yourself when trying to get to sleep Visit a friend Walk in shallow water Washing Watch TV / video Write letters

*NOTE: Distraction techniques are useful when voices are particularly distressing or intrusive but are not recommended as an on-going coping technique.

Our thanks to the Dundee Hearing Voices Network for allowing us to draw on their THINGS THAT HELP VOICE HEARERS TO COPE and WHAT DOES NOT HELP categories. Special thanks to Maria & Audrey for sharing their personal collection of strategies with us and thanks also to the members of the Hearing Voices Network Australia for their contributions. Please respect the collective minds of Voice Hearers any replication from this document must acknowledged its source (s).