Why do People Hear Voices in Their Heads?
Around 2% of people claim they regularly hear voices in their heads. Are they all sick? What causes the voices & why do some psychologists think people should start talking back?
Meet Rachel Waddingham and meet the voices that inhabit Rachel’s head: there is three-year-old Blue who just wants to play with other children, 11-year-old Elfie who is easily offended and a panel of three critical scientists. Peter hears a voice that dictated an entire children’s book to him. Around 2% of people claim, like Rachel, to be inhabited by voices with whom they have full blown relationships. Are they all sick? What causes people to hear voices? And why have some psychologists changed their minds about the dangers of colluding with the voices?
(Photo: Rachel Waddingham)
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What's it like to hear voices in your head?
Duration: 01:02
Broadcasts
- Mon 8 Jan 201813:32GMTBBC World Service except News Internet
- Mon 8 Jan 201820:06GMTBBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only
- Mon 8 Jan 201821:06GMTBBC World Service Australasia, East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only
- Tue 9 Jan 201802:32GMTBBC World Service except News Internet
- Mon 15 Jan 201806:32GMTBBC World Service South Asia
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The Why Factor
The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions




