Hearing voices: What can we learn from them?

Abstract

This article is an exploration of how auditory hallucinations have been experienced as meaningful to individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. This perspective is supported by the survey of the literature, which suggests that for many centuries, individuals experiencing auditory hallucinations have been given much more credence than their counterparts in modern society. Using case studies from the author’s own work, as well as drawing from other researchers and theorists, the article provides concrete illustrations of how individuals have derived insight from their auditory hallucinations.

Keywords:

• hallucinations
• hearing voices
• schizophrenia