Voices in your head – is it a disorder or the norm? A psychologist explains

In each of us there are several roles that we use depending on the situation. We can be strong and weak, wise and doubting, caring and indifferent at the same time.

The main character of the movie “Split” comes to mind, in whose soul lurk 24 different characters, differing in their behavior, facial expressions, gestures, intonations in the voice. Of course, such cases are isolated, but the average person to agree with all the personalities is sometimes difficult. We tell you why voices appear in your head and how to understand whether this is a norm or a cause for concern.

Psychologist, expert in building harmonious relationships

Tells where alternative personalities come from and how to work with them.

What is a subpersonality and how it is formed

Subpersonality – a part of a person’s personality, perceived as something separate from himself. There can be several of them, and each has its own reactions, behavior, desires and knows exactly at what point in life “acts” it.

Publics begin to be formed in childhood. The fact is that children’s brains are set up for intensive development and constant learning. Children learn through the system of their family. In other words, by copying the actions, reactions and words of their parents.

Anastasia: In psychology, this is called introjection – a mechanism of the psyche by which a person lets in certain ideas, attitudes, beliefs of another person without introducing his or her own meanings. Simply put, as a child grows up, he absorbs the words and beliefs of those significant adults around him.

Thus, as we grow up, we begin to hear voices within that speak in “someone else’s timbre.” It could be the voice of mom, dad, or even a neighbor. And the more often and longer a person hears certain phrases concerning himself, the stronger these phrases are prescribed in the subconsciousness as his own knowledge. In the future it is difficult for a person to separate whose voice it is – his own or someone else’s. In the material at the link we share tips on how to recognize your own desires and distinguish them from those imposed from the outside.

Why subpersonalities – it’s normal

Because we were all children and we were all brought up by adults with their beliefs and knowledge about life and the world. At a more mature age, new subpersonalities may appear, but in this case we already decide for ourselves whether to let a new “character” into our personality. For example, a boss, a coach or a housewife.

But here the question is different: if each person has “inner voices”, then what is the difference between the norm and pathology, which manifests itself in the form of split personality? It’s about different mechanisms of subpersonalities maturation.

Anastasia: Splitting of personality occurs in difficult moments of life as a way to protect oneself. The difference is that when the part of the personality that will protect itself comes out, the other part that is afraid or in pain, as if it shuts off part of the consciousness and may not even remember past events (everything is like a fog).

At times it seems like everything is fine, but under certain repetitive circumstances the same mechanism will work. One part will hide and the other part will come out for defense. The problem is that they are not connected and are unable to control each other. This is where the originally whole personality splits.

When to start sounding the alarm and contact a specialist

• If there are uncontrollable attacks of aggression both towards other people and towards oneself.
• If in an atypical or shock situation, you do not remember your actions. And what you are told by others about your behavior does not fit in your head.
• You completely deny difficult life events (if any). For example, you try to talk to a dead relative and think he is still alive.

If something bothers you, you doubt your mental stability, do not be afraid to consult a psychologist. There is no shame in taking care of yourself. You don’t blame yourself if you suddenly got a toothache and had to go to the dentist, do you? A specialist will help to understand the situation and find a way out of it.

In the previous article we told you about the signs of mental health – check yourself at the link.