Eleanor Longden: The voices in my head

The speaker shares their journey from experiencing voices during university to being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Initially misunderstood and mistreated by medical professionals, they faced a challenging period of mental health struggles. With support from family and professionals, they learned to understand and accept the voices as responses to trauma. This led to personal recovery and advocacy work, contributing to the Hearing Voices Movement, which promotes understanding and support for voice-hearers.

What was the initial reaction of the narrator to the voice they heard?

• They were excited and curious.

• They immediately sought help.

• They were frightened and confused.

• They ignored it completely.

How did the narrator's friend react when told about the voice?

• The friend was indifferent.

• The friend was supportive and understanding.

• The friend laughed it off.

• The friend was horrified and insisted on seeking medical help.

What was the impact of the medical diagnosis on the narrator's mental state?

• It led to a quick recovery.

• It had no impact at all.

• It worsened their mental state and increased hostility of the voices.

• It provided immediate relief and clarity.

What realization did the narrator come to about the voices they heard?

• The voices were a response to traumatic life events.

• The voices were random and meaningless.

• The voices were purely a medical symptom.

• The voices were a sign of genius.

What role did the narrator's mother play in their recovery?

• She gave up on them.

• She was unaware of their condition.

• She was indifferent to their struggles.

• She never gave up and waited for their return.

How did the narrator's perspective on the voices change over time?

• They believed they were supernatural.

• They ignored them completely.

• They began to see them as insights into emotional problems.

• They continued to see them as enemies.

What is the main goal of the Hearing Voices Movement?

• To eliminate all voices.

• To promote medication as the only solution.

• To understand and respect voice-hearing as a meaningful experience.

• To isolate individuals who hear voices.

What did the narrator achieve academically after their recovery?

• They never returned to academics.

• They switched to a different field.

• They achieved the highest degree in psychology and a Master's.

• They dropped out of university.

What does the narrator believe is the important question in psychiatry?

• What's wrong with you?

• What's your favorite color?

• What's happened to you?

• What's your diagnosis?

What does the narrator emphasize about the power of the individual?

• Individuals should isolate themselves.

• Individuals have an instinctual capacity to heal.

• Individuals should rely solely on medication.

• Individuals are powerless against mental distress.