Understanding the experience of hearing abusive voices
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study investigating the experience of hearing negative, harmful or abusive voices
IRAS ID
249050
Contact name
Bryony Sheaves
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
There are different experiences of auditory hallucinations (voice hearing), but this research will focus on one common problem: abusive voices. These are voices which are critical or threatening. Common consequences include depression, anxiety, suicidal thinking, difficulty maintaining friendships, unemployment and hospitalisation.
The current recommended treatments include anti-psychotic medication and standard cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT, a talking therapy). These require substantial improvement: the majority of people continue to experience symptoms whilst taking medications and they also cause significant side-effects. Standard CBT results in only small improvements in voices. Just 14-20% of people make a full recovery. This is not as good as CBT for other difficulties, like the different anxiety disorders. One way to improve the effectiveness of CBT for voices is to focus on more specific types of voices, and identify psychological factors which keep that particular voice experience going. These factors can then be targeted in treatment. However there has been little research investigating factors which cause people to engage with abusive voices, and therefore there is no specific treatment.
The current study will seek to identify factors which cause people to listen to and believe (engage with) abusive voices that leave them feeling distressed.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0443
Date of REC Opinion
21 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion