Auditory Hallucinations in Chronic Trauma Disorders: Phenomenology and Psychological Mechanisms

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 posttraumatic 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. PU - SPRINGER INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING AG PI - CHAM PA - GEWERBESTRASSE 11, CHAM, CH-6330, SWITZERLAND