Reply to My seven year old says he hears voices in his head.- should I be worried?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think "voices in my head" could mean a lot of things to a 7-year-old and he's probably just thinking of the "inner voice" we all have. I would be a lot more concerned if he was blaming the voices for his behavior, if he was remembering events that didn't happen, or he seemed unusually paranoid or anxious.[/quote]

This is good advice, OP. Also, as someone noted above, if he says the voices are telling him to do things like harm himself or others, or act out in ways that are not appropriate, then it's time to get him evaluated. He may just be more aware than most kids that he's narrating his own life to a degree, talking to himself -- we all do that and it's normal. But hearing voices that are not his own or especially that tell him to do things, that would be more of a red flag.

Have there been any changes in his life lately? New school situation, new house, close friend moved away, changes/stressors at home, new sibling or new conflicts with a sibling who's been around a while, anything? Those could be making him more aware of self-talk, which is OK, or they could be prompting something more. I'd just keep close tabs, for now, on whether he starts to blame the voices for "making" him do things, or whether he doesn't do that out loud to you but does behave differently from what you know is normal for him. If it helps you process this, OP, keep a notebook in the house and one in the car and jot down things if you feel he says things that are way off kilter, or if he seems anxious or paranoid. Be sure to note when it happens and in what circumstances, in case he finds certain circumstances to be especially stressful. I would wager he's just meaning he's aware he talks to himself as we all do....[/quote]

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