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Auditory Hallucinations in Chronic Trauma Disorders: Phenomenology and Psychological Mechanisms

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Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Auditory hallucinations are relatively common in those with chronic trauma disorders (12–98 %). They typically begin after a traumatic event and following the development of trauma-related disorders. They often contain themes related to trauma. Auditory hallucinations in chronic trauma disorders are commonly negative in content, heard inside the head or both inside and outside the head, occur relatively frequently, and cause distress. Those with PTSD who experience auditory hallucinations often have experienced more severe trauma and have a more severe symptom presentation than those who do not experience them. Dissociation, especially depersonalization, has been routinely linked to post-traumatic auditory hallucinations. As a phenomenon, depersonalization may transform mental activity into strange and foreign experiences that manifest as auditory hallucinations. Yet, depersonalization seems unable to account for many of the key features of auditory hallucinations. Structural dissociation at the level of personality, either in isolation or in combination with depersonalization, seems to offer a more complete account of auditory hallucinations in chronic trauma disorders.

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Abbreviations

APA:

American Psychiatric Association

DID:

Dissociative identity disorder

DSM:

Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders

PTSD:

Post-traumatic stress disorder

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, 8140, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Martin J. Dorahy & Rachael C. W. Palmer

Authors
  1. Martin J. Dorahy
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  2. Rachael C. W. Palmer
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Correspondence to Martin J. Dorahy .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Buckinghamshire New University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

  2. Kings College, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Dorahy, M.J., Palmer, R.C.W. (2015). Auditory Hallucinations in Chronic Trauma Disorders: Phenomenology and Psychological Mechanisms. In: Martin, C., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08613-2_45-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08613-2_45-1

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