University of Manchester
Can hearing voices in your head be a good thing?

Psychologists have launched a study to find out why some people who hear
voices in their head consider it a positive experience while others find
it distressing.

The University of Manchester investigation – announced on World
Hearing Voices Day (Thursday, 14th September) – comes after Dutch
researchers found that many healthy members of the population there
regularly hear voices.
Although hearing voices has traditionally been viewed as 'abnormal' and
a symptom of mental illness, the Dutch findings suggest it is more
widespread than previously thought, estimating that about 4% of the
population could be affected.

Researcher Aylish Campbell said: "We know that many members of the
general population hear voices but have never felt the need to access
mental health services; some experts even claim that more people hear
voices and don't seek psychiatric help than those who do.
"In fact, many of those affected describe their voices as being a
positive influence in their lives, comforting or inspiring them as they
go about their daily business. We're now keen to investigate why some
people respond in this way while others are distressed and seek outside
help."

Although the voices heard by psychiatric patients and members of the
general population seem to be of the same volume and frequency, the
former group tend to interpret the voices as more distressing and
negative.
The team believes that external factors such as a person's life
experiences and beliefs may be the key to these differences: for
example, the presence of childhood trauma or negative beliefs about
themselves could have an affect.
"If a person is struggling to overcome a trauma or views themselves as
worthless or vulnerable, or other people as aggressive, they may be more
likely to interpret their voices as harmful, hostile or powerful," said
Aylish.

"Conversely, a person who has had more positive life experiences and
formed more healthy beliefs about themselves and other people might
develop a more positive view of their voices.
"People being treated for hearing voices are usually given medication in
an attempt to eliminate the problem. By investigating the factors
influencing how voices are experienced we hope to contribute to the
development of psychological therapies to help people better understand
and cope with their voices."
###

The team would like to hear from people in the northwest aged 16 years
and over who have been hearing voices for at least six months. They can
be both users of mental-health services or not.
Discussions will be carried out at a location to suit the volunteer in
complete privacy. Participants will also be asked to complete
questionnaires about their experiences. In all participation in the
study will take about an hour and a half. Travel expenses will be
reimbursed.

People interested in participating can call 0161 306 0405 or e-mail
voicesresearch@hotmail.co.uk
For further information contact the press office:
Aeron Haworth: 0161 275 8383 / aeron.haworth@manchester.ac.uk
Jo Nightingale: 0161 275 8156 / joanne.nightingale@manchester.ac.uk (Mon
– Weds am and Fri am)
Mikaela Sitford: 0161 275 2111 / mikaela.sitford@manchester.ac.uk (Weds
– Fri).

The University of Manchester (www.manchester.ac.uk) is the largest
higher education institution in the country, with 24 academic schools
and over 36 000 students. Its Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences
(www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk) is one of the largest faculties of clinical
and health sciences in Europe, with a research income of around £51
million (almost a third of the University's total research income).

The School of Psychological Sciences (www.psych-sci.manchester.ac.uk)
was founded in 2004, and comprises the oldest Psychology department in
the UK together with Human Communication and Deafness and Clinical
Psychology divisions. All were rated 5/5 in the last higher education
Research Assessment Exercise.