Hearing voices - Harjeet's story

Harjeet was diagnosed with psychosis at 24, but with the help of her faith, and a talent for writing, she now helps manage her condition through singing and songwriting.

I am now 40, but I was first diagnosed with psychosis at age 24.

The onset of my psychosis was caused by me smoking cannabis as a teenager. I think I have a gene which makes me more sensitive and therefore more likely for me to hear voices. Sometimes my voices are quite jealous and abusive.

I felt awful, the worst time of my life.

I was cross sectioned when I refused to take my medication and I went to a mental institution for one month. I really had lost touch with reality at this point.

In the mental institution I enjoyed it, it was female-only and everyone was on the same wave-length. We used to go in the garden, and I was allowed on home visits after a month.

My symptoms vary, but at worst I lose touch with reality, hear abusive and aggressive voices and am severely paranoid with persecutory delusions.

When I have a relapse, I manage my symptoms by listening to positive affirmations, watching prayer videos on YouTube, singing, talking to loved ones on the phone or if comfortable, in person.

I am now a holistic/beauty therapist and a singer songwriter.

I have always been a good writer and I have always had a pleasant voice but I've never been a singer.

I was inspired by God to sing my own songs, song writing comes to me naturally, I practice on my vocals as this is something I would like to improve.

I did have the opportunity to let someone else sing my songs, but I know deep down God wants me to tell my own story.

In my daytime job I help people heal from within, I use my own healing energy to help people live a stress-free life. My past experiences have led me to be a more compassionate and healing individual.

On my days off I focus on writing songs about my past experiences, all my songs are a reflection of my life, God is also a main influence in my life and I show this in my songs.

Without my faith in God I wouldn't be where, or who I am today. Writing songs helps me release emotions and move forward.

The things I do to stay well are speaking on the phone to loved ones, sometimes seeing them in person. I take my medication every day, I have a strong support network which is my immediate family, this is also crucial for my well-being.

When I lose touch with reality, I think people are really putting spells on me and watching me so I am going to join a hearing voices support group, so that I know I'm not alone and that it is really an illness.