Last updated 11/06/2007

We received this request in February 2006, so the research may be further advanced, see contact details for the researcher, Hannah Osborne, at the bottom of article:

Many people will hear voices at some point during their life and research has shown that some people experience their voices as positive, live rich and fulfilling lives and do not require psychiatric or psychological help. Hearing voices therefore cannot be explained by mental illness alone and clearly lies on a continuum with normality.

Commonly adopted beliefs about the nature of voices are those of a paranormal, mystical and spiritual explanation. Despite this, most research to date focuses on the negative experiences of voices and on people who feel distressed as a consequence of hearing voices.

We hope that increased understanding of the psychological features of positive experiences of hearing voices in spiritual believers will result in a more comprehensive understanding of what makes people able to deal with these kinds of experiences. Such understanding could lead to the development of ‘normal’ models of voice hearing as well as enabling therapists to work more effectively with clients who have negative experiences of voice hearing.

What can you do to help normalize the experience of voice hearing?

We are looking for people who have the following characteristics. We would like them to undertake a telephone interview exploring aspects of their voice hearing experiences:

• Your beliefs are of a paranormal, spiritual, mystical or psychic nature. • You are having both positive and negative voice hearing experiences. • You have never received any psychiatric or psychological treatment for voice hearing. • You do not use illicit drugs or anti-psychotic medication.

What does the Interview Involve?

The interview consists of two parts which may either be completed in one phone call, or time may be arranged to complete the second part another day. Each part of the interview will take approximately one hour. Some of the things that you will be asked in the interview are: to describe your voice(s), how you deal with the voices and how the experience makes you feel. The interview will be tape recorded in order to supplement the written notes that are taken by the researcher. Following the interview you will have a chance to ask any questions as well as talk off the record about any issues that have risen during the interview. Also if requested, comments during the interview may be off the record.

What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?

We do not feel that there are any risks or disadvantages involved in taking part in this study. However, should you find some of the things asked in the interview difficult to talk about, the interview can be ended immediately, and time will be made to talk things through with you. In addition you will be given a contact number in the event that you experience any distress after completing the interview.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

If we could explore features of both positive and negative experiences of hearing voices then it might be possible to use this knowledge to help people who are finding it difficult to cope better. Your account of voice hearing will help us to increase our understanding of this type of experiences and in turn, this will inform and improve psychological interventions for people who find these experiences distressing and difficult to cope with. In turn it will help to normalize the experience of hearing voices, recognize that voices can be experienced in the absence of distress and further highlight its prevalence within the general population.

If you are interested in volunteering for or finding out more about this piece of research please contact:

Hannah Osborne Assistant Psychologist South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health Trust Monkwearmouth Hospital Sunderland SR5 INB