Voices in the head What do patients hear?

Psychology: What do people with voices hear in their heads?

05/14/2015

Many people hear voices in their heads. But so far, little is known about what exactly those affected with auditory hallucinations perceive. New research by scientists at Durham University shows that the majority of patients with auditory hallucinations hear several different voices. Their results have the researchers in the trade magazine „The Lancet Psychiatry“ released.

„It is estimated that between five and 15 percent of adults experience auditory hallucinations during their lifetime“, the scientists report to study leader Angela Woods from Durham University. In the current study, the British researchers interviewed more than 150 people on their experiences, finding that most hear different voices and often associate them with negative physical effects. But 31 percent of the votes also positive.

Most patients hear many different voices
In the message from Durham University, Rachel Waddingham reports as affected that she perceives about 13 votes. „Each of them is different - some have names, they are different ages and sound like different people“, Waddingham continues. Some of the voices are very angry and violent, others are scared, and others are malicious.

Physical symptoms in connection with the voices in the head
Often, physical symptoms accompany the voices. „Sometimes I hear a child who is very anxious“, the patient reports. At the same time she feels a burning or pain in her body. „If I can help to calm the voice, I can also stop the burning pain“, explains Waddingham.

Aggressive voices increased with physical concomitants
In total, 81 percent of respondents said they heard multiple voices and 70 percent had them „characterful qualities“, so the message from Durham University. Two-thirds of patients (66 percent) had accompanying physical sensations such as heat and a tingling sensation in their hands or feet. This was more often the case with aggressive or violent voices, sometimes attributable to traumatic experiences, Durham University said.

Voices in the head also perceived positively
The co-author dr. Stanford University's Nev Jones stated that, on the whole, the voices were not simply experienced as intrusive or unwanted thoughts, but rather as voices with their own personalities and content. The voices can also be associated with positive feelings. Almost a third of patients have reported this. (Fp)