Main content

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)

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Mon 15 Jan 201806:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 8 Jan 201813:32GMT
  • Mon 8 Jan 201820:06GMT
  • Mon 8 Jan 201821:06GMT
  • Tue 9 Jan 201802:32GMT
  • Mon 15 Jan 201806:32GMT

Get the podcast

Get the podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes for free

Why do we look the way we do?

Why do we look the way we do?

Tattoos, trainers, jeans, hair, ties ... why?

Podcast