If your voices are a problem, for example if they are causing you distress or affecting your day to day life, you might want to seek medical treatment. This page covers:
How can I access treatment?
The first place to go is normally your GP. They may refer you to a psychiatrist who may give you a diagnosis and treatment. Your GP or psychiatrist may see your voices as a result of an illness and prescribe medication and other treatment.
Your GP should always check to that there are no physical reasons why you are hearing voices before you are prescribed medication or referred to a psychiatrist. For example, they should check:
- that you don't have a high temperature and you're not delirious
- if it's a side effect of any medication you're taking.
Different doctors may have different approaches. Our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem have information on how to make sure your voice is heard, and what you can do if you're not happy with your doctor.