Trauma-intrusive hallucinations and the dissociative state

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• A model exists suggesting dissociation mediates auditory hallucinations in individuals with trauma.
• Understanding the specific dissociative subtypes involved in trauma-related hallucinations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine subtypes of dissociative experiences linked to trauma-intrusive hallucinations.
• To further elucidate the relationship between dissociation and auditory hallucinations in trauma survivors.

Main Methods:

• The study included 69 participants from four hospitals, assessed by 11 psychiatrists.
• Participants completed the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale, PTSD Symptoms Scale Interview, and Dissociative Subtype of PTSD Score.

Main Results:

• 59% of participants reported hearing voices.
• Dissociative symptoms, including derealisation/depersonalisation and loss of awareness, were strong predictors of hearing voices.
• PTSD symptom severity did not predict voice hearing, and other trauma-related factors did not improve prediction.

Conclusions:

• Trauma-intrusive voices are mediated by dissociative symptoms.
• The model suggests general, not trauma-specific, dissociative symptoms are key.
• The concept of 'anchoring' is proposed as a potential clinical treatment strategy for managing auditory hallucinations.