Exploring the relationship between auditory hallucinations, trauma and dissociation.

Background: It is clinically imperative to better understand the relationship between trauma, auditory hallucinations and dissociation. The personal narrative of trauma has enormous significance for each individual and is also important for the clinician, who must use this information to decide on a diagnosis and treatment approach.

Aims: To better understand whether dissociation contributes in a significant way to hallucinations in individuals with and without trauma histories.

Trauma-intrusive hallucinations and the dissociative state.

Background: Research has supported a model of dissociation mediating the experience of hearing voices in traumatised individuals.

Aims: To further understand this model by examining subtypes of the dissociative experience involved in trauma-intrusive hallucinations.

Method: The study involved four hospitals, 11 psychiatrists and 69 participants assessed using the Psychotic Symptoms Rating scale, the PTSD Symptoms Scale Interview and the Dissociative Subtype of PTSD Score.

Is there a GP in the hospital?

Modern health care is increasingly complex with a progression to specialisation and super specialisation in the primary and tertiary settings. Traditional models of health such as the biomedical model are often inadequate. The value of a more holistic approach to patients' health problems has been long accepted by the medical profession.