Daring to talk back
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Daring to talk back

Mark Hayward Doctor of clinical psychology, Psychology Department, University of Surrey
Rufus May Doctor of clinical psychology, Centre for Citizenship and Community Mental Health, University of Bradford

Is the experience of hearing voices ordinary or extraordinary? That question was put before delegates at a conference in 2005. This article by Mark Hayward and Rufus May attempts to capture the spirit of that conference and explores the clinical implications of considering an ostensibly unusual experience as ordinary. It demonstrates approaches that focus on the relationships people have with their voices and considers how it may be helpful to support people both to listen to their voices and talk back

The experience of hearing the voice of someone who is not present within the immediate physical environment (auditory hallucinations) is reported by people with and without a history of psychiatric difficulties. Often referred to as ‘hearing voices’, the experience has been described as a personal and powerful one that is capable of eliciting a range of emotional and behavioural responses (Nayani and David 1996). The content of voice utterances has been described in a variety of ways: abusive and critical, leading to emotional distress and an increased risk of suicide; pleasant and guiding, leading to reassurance and a courting of the experience; and often a combination of the two, emanating from different voices. Understandings of the voice hearing experience also vary, with explanatory frameworks drawn from spiritual, paranormal, biological and social domains (see Romme and Escher 1993 for a review of these frameworks).

Mental Health Practice. 10, 9, 12-15. doi: 10.7748/mhp2007.06.10.9.12.c4308

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