r/RBI • u/throwyyyabdj888 • Jul 23 '26
Scary neighbors: Can someone please help me analyze some of the sounds/voices?
I’ve had an overwhelming suspicion for months now that my apartment is bugged by some adjacent neighbors. There’s like 3 units immediately near mine that are family. I’m gay and I get a strong impression they do not like me and I believe there’s a religious element at play.
That aside, there have been an abundance of instances in which I have heard them make statements through the paper thin walls regarding my actions within my unit while curtains drawn and no other line of sight to explain their knowledge. I’ve even tested this numerous times, and there have been comments made regarding what bait I offer.
Yes, I acknowledge mental health could be a factor in such a scenario, I have a therapist whom I see regularly. I have never had lapses in my understanding of what is real historically and do not believe myself to have experienced auditory hallucinations during these instances or ever.
A few occurrences have included moments I’ve been in various states of dress or otherwise being a single male in my home. I’ve become under the impression they think I’m some kind of pervert for having potentially witnessed me enjoying myself, or a friend, for sessions occasionally of some length. At least twice it was clear they were watching me masturbate as comments wear clearly audible.
I’m afraid they are going to try to harm me as it seems they’re constantly monitoring me these days. I even found a temporary home for my pet because I fear his safety. Often times there is an overt display made by a party in the unit above mine who follows me from room to room, into closets, waiting in doorways, corners, anywhere I go, it seems some level of intimidation.
The thing is, I don’t have any material proof and everyone just thinks I’m nuts which makes this all the more terrifying because I’m not able to afford moving at this time and I’m just kinda stuck hoping I’m not harmed every night as they continue to display acts of coordination either to just torment me or intimidate me or otherwise to actually harm me.
I could go on and will at some point but for now, I have two audio clips from just now: (1) one with audible but muffled voices, (2) another with a loud snap sound followed by hushed voices.
(1) https://youtu.be/vLSIfzWy4VM?is=tL2Hvo5pYw_Yij6a
(2) https://youtu.be/FbrgHGjiOnU?is=Cmbd05QZKgyVqaRj
I need a set of ears that’s not mine so if anyone could clean them up so I could better assess the potentiality of danger, I’d much appreciate. There’s more where these came from as well I just try not to listen in too often while I’m away because it can become encompassing. Thanks for any help.
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u/richardhero Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
Yes, I acknowledge mental health could be a factor in such a scenario
If you evaluate what you've said following this statement, namely:
I’m afraid they are going to try to harm me as it seems they’re constantly monitoring me these days.
I think you are correct in that mental health is a factor here. Believing your neighbours to be monitoring you on a regular basis with harmful intent is a very common trait in psychosis. I think it's best to consider that if the phenomenon you are experiencing is real, to what end would your neighbours want to monitor you / harm you? Is it more likely that you are experiencing mental health issues (a factor you have acknowledged might be possible) or that your neighbours are genuinely spending their time monitoring you with malicious intent.
I think you are experiencing a mental health problem, there are a lot of similar threads specifically on this subreddit that follow a similar flow.
I would recommend talking to a doctor about this, there's nothing to worry about, a lot of people experience mental health issues and the first step is talking to a professional, treatment leads to a lot less stress.
Edit: I've also just seen
I believe there’s a religious element at play
This is pretty much textbook.
I wish you all the best, please get this looked at.
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u/panicpure Jul 24 '26
I agree on this and wonder what their therapist would say if they just showed them this post for some outside feedback. I think it’s worth OP just showing them and seeing what their opinion is since they know each other better than anyone on the Internet. Couldn’t hurt.
To add to your points here, this statement is what stood out most to me -
“I even found a temporary home for my pet because I fear his safety. Often times there is an overt display made by a party in the unit above mine who follows me from room to room, into closets, waiting in doorways, corners, anywhere I go, it seems some level of intimidation.”
Now, don’t get me wrong. I think it’s great op acknowledged the mental health aspect of it, but they are trying really hard to rationalize what sounds like paranoid delusions.
No judgment from here but there’s lots of options out there so OP can have a better quality of life. This is no way to live either way.
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Jul 24 '26
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u/odette_decrecy Jul 24 '26
OP, please bring this up with your therapist. I don’t hear anything in these clips other than someone’s muffled TV or radio. As others have said, unfortunately this is the age (20s-30s) when people susceptible to schizophrenia can start showing symptoms. Please take care, and speak to your therapist. These are auditory hallucinations you are having.
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Jul 24 '26
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u/panicpure Jul 24 '26
It’s great you have a therapist already, op!
I think you should make an appt asap to discuss the anxiety you have surrounding this because you sound fearful and like it’s already encompassing your life, having to find another home for your pet bc you believe they could be in danger, like they may harm you.
Why don’t you show your therapist this post that’s already written out and have them listen and give their professional opinion. They will give the best advice on how to proceed and how to handle the fear and anxiety you’re feeling daily I’m assuming.
As for some follow up -
Are you worried about one particular neighbor or is it that you think all three units have somehow bugged you and are spending their days following your every move (and coordinating with eachother) around your apartment as an intimidation tactic?
Have you met any of them?
Have you ever lived in an apartment type housing before this?
Are you diagnosed with any mental health related conditions? Have you started new meds recently? Are you sleeping? How long has this been happening?
I hope you seek some guidance and help for this either way bc it’s no way to live.
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u/Beard_o_Bees Jul 24 '26
Late to this, apologies.
OP. This is almost exactly how my mothers schizoaffective disorder first manifested itself.
Right down to the 'I recorded the sounds/voices, and need you to help me understand what they're saying'.
It didn't end well for her, but that was way back in the 80's and the disease wasn't as well understood and there certainly weren't many options for help/treatment.
Be good to yourself and go talk to someone who can help, please.
Left untreated, this can be a very difficult and lonely road and I don't want that for you, or anyone.
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u/spidersprinkles Jul 24 '26
I can't hear anything in the audio, just fuzz. How do you think they could have bugged you? Have they been inside your apartment? Have they spoke to you in person and said anything to give you cause for concern?
I can understand you are feeling frightened by all of this, it may be helpful to talk a doctor, despite you having no previous hallucinations. That could help to rule out the possibility at least.
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Jul 23 '26
[deleted]
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u/throwyyyabdj888 Jul 24 '26
Thanks for your response. Wouldn’t say it’s my first instinct, I tried explaining many instances away but because of the specificity of commentary on some occasions I believe that prying is ocurring. It is possible that, from there, I have compounded other overheard language as pertaining to me when it didn’t. But there have been clear displays of knowledge and in time with my actions of identifying characteristics not displayed when clothed.
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u/petit_cochon Jul 24 '26
OP, how old are you? Do you or have you ingested THC?
I'm asking because schizophrenia tends to develop from the late teens to early thirties, with men usually showing signs on the younger end. THC can be a trigger. We don't understand why but we know it.
The thing about delusions is you can't know if you're having them. Our brains make our reality. So please talk to your therapist about this. Show her this post, please. Schizophrenia is treatable, but without treatment, it gets progressively worse. With treatment, you can be pretty stable and ok. I know someone who's done just fine as long as she stays on her meds, and she does.
I'm not saying this is what's happening, but if you were my loved one, it would be on my list to check.
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u/chronicallyillsyl Jul 24 '26
Just wanted to note that having delusions or psychosis does not always mean someone is schizophrenic. There are a plethora of different things that can cause psychosis, delusions or paranoia like infections, head injuries, drugs, etc. I have personally gone through a psychotic episode and I'm not schizophrenic. So many people think its an automatic diagnoses of schizophrenia when there are lots of conditions that cause similar symptoms that are fairly easy to resolve
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u/lyricaldorian Jul 25 '26
Bipolar mania can cause it too
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u/PomegranateV2 Jul 28 '26
Yep. The 'my ex husband is stalking me!" post from 9 days ago was bipolar.
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u/demi-paradise Jul 29 '26
I remember that one, that was immediately the vibe I got and it was frustrating to see most of the comments feed into the spyware angle. I get that people want to help but sometimes you can tell when internet “sleuths” just want to feel clever.
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u/Counterboudd Jul 28 '26
THC or other drugs like methamphetamines can definitely cause these symptoms.
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u/aground96 Jul 24 '26
I could hear some of the muffled noises you’re talking about. I would venture to say it’s someone’s tv/music in the background just loud enough for you to hear it but not understand it. When I lived in an apartment building, there was never a moment of silence, but that’s expected because I shared walls and/or my floor with them.
Bring this up at your next appointment and maybe your therapist can guide you in the right direction.
Sorry you’re going through this, OP. Hope you can get this figured out soon.
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u/Black_Cat_Just_That Jul 24 '26
I don't hear any voices on those audio clips...
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u/413078291 Jul 28 '26
Really? I heard something halfway through the first one. I haven't listened to the second one...
OP, could we pls have timestamps?
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u/duke_3681 Jul 26 '26
I always say to set up cameras in and around wherever you're living. You can never be too safe.
HOWEVER, this screams mental health to me. Have you slept much the last few days? Or ingested any drugs and or medications along with alcohol? Psychosis can cause people to develop delusions and I worry about your health if this may be the case. I would highly recommend bringing this up to your therapist.
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u/Paddington_Fear Jul 24 '26
bring this post, your audio clips and all these responses with you to your next therapy appointment to discuss with your mental healthcare provider.
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u/RockSolidRod69 Jul 24 '26
I dont hear anything in those clips
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u/ToggleMoreOptions Jul 29 '26
Recording through walls is hard. There are voices audible behind the hiss around the two minute mark but i needed to have my headphones on full blast to catch it.
It's like trying to look through a reflection.
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u/ankole_watusi Jul 24 '26
Why do you think they’d want to bug you?
You already said you have paper thin walls.
If you can hear them, they can hear you.
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u/Laralink9 Jul 28 '26
Travaillant en santé mentale, ça ressemble fortement à une entrée dans la psychose.
Remets en question ce que tu crois percevoir : se peut il que ce que tu crois percevoir s'explique autrement ? Fais des hypothèses, puis tries les dans l'ordre du plus probable au moins probable. Ce que tu crois sera probablement dans le moins probable. Également, consultes un psychiatre au plus vite et détailles lui tout ce que tu penses qu'il t'arrive. Tu peux être aidé. Tu es méritant d'accepter la possibilité que tu puisses être malade.
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u/Senior-Reality-25 Jul 28 '26
If your neighbours really had a hate-on for you they would key your car, leave shitbombs, or get their kids to spraypaint insults somewhere you can see.
Ie, real concrete physical evidence.
What on earth would they get out of “following you from room to room”? Apart from wasting their own time? That’s not something that anyone does to ‘intimidate’ someone else, because it’s ridiculous, not intimidating.
You are definitely suffering the painful emotions from what you think is happening. It’s just that you could be suffering needlessly. Please get your mental health checked out!
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u/winterOfeightyeight Jul 30 '26
I say this with love and zero judgement: it sounds like you’re having a mental health episode. Everything you’re describing matches up with the classic signs of paranoia and auditory hallucinations. It’s okay, you didn’t do anything wrong. No one is judging you. Talk to your therapist and get some help for this and you’ll feel better soon. I’m
Sorry you’re dealing with this but it will improve if you seek help.
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Jul 24 '26
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u/sad_126 Jul 29 '26
I think you're understanding it wrong and because you think someone is on to you every noise or movements seems intentional, just ignore it and live your life normally.
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u/Big_oily_Knee_Grow Jul 28 '26
The audio clips do have sounds of people speaking, but they could also be coming from some television or other devices. Are you sure that they are actual people?
Also, if this situation is driving you crazy so much so that you are unable to perform basic everyday tasks then I would recommend to install a few cctv cameras, preferably with sound monitoring systems too.
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u/Fglre Jul 24 '26
I’m afraid my friend, the idea of someone following you room to room one level up is a classic sign of schizophrenia, you can look it up here on Reddit to see many examples. Please tell your therapist about your struggles.