Question

I have my friend staying with us for up to a month to help her transition her from hospital into a new apartment.  She is doing as well as is expected and is being consistent with meds/ really tring to sleep normal hours.

My question is whether she is hearing voices or not.  A week ago the family was watching a movie that had loud scary growling in it.  So my friend runs into the room saying there is a panther outside and she knew the sound was separate from the movie.  The next day she still was worried about it.  Talking in detail how we need to take precautions-stay indoors, lights off, put the kids straight to bed for their safety and this and that.  The kids believed this and I told them she must have had a bad dream or something.  She keeps bring it up in the evening when it gets dark.  In fact she just said she heard this noise again.  My 5 yr old was outside also and said he also heard the growl.

I believe for my son, it was the power of suggestion. For my BP friend, I am here for her, but I believe it probably wans't real.  This isn't the first case like this.  My friend has heard people talk through the apartment vents (in the past), of people talking about her and remembers every detail, causing enormous relationship problems with past boyfriends.

So is this a symptom that needs to be addressed or what?  I'm not sure.

Also my friend did grow up in an area close to the river and lots of woods, so she grew up with bobcats nearby.  Although we are quite a ways from there, I've grown up close to here and never heard anything about Big Cat problems.

that's it, thanks for reading and giving me your thoughts,

nev 

maybe you should call the local animal control or game warden and see if there are bobcats or whatever in the area,,,,ya never know

Tell your friend you believe that she heard something, you have called animal control, they say the area is clear of danger. If she continues to hear such things, it is time to mention this to the pdoc's as it may be a "side effect" (wink, wink) of her meds or something. This will calm her down and get her to bring it up with the doctors. You can also give her a note addressing this to her doctors (if you are not speaking to them directly - or get her to give you clearance to speak to them). Tell your friend that you love her and support her recovery, but as she knows, at this stage feedback from trusted loved ones is important to help get things REALLY balanced. That in so many areas she is doing SO great, and you want to make sure she makes it all the way. The doctors are the ones who should be able to give you the feedback and help you seek beyond what we could share in this way. Best of luck...LFW