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Persistent auditory hallucinations: coping mechanisms and implications for management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Ian R. H. Falloon  and
Ralph E. Talbot
Ian R. H. Falloon*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
Ralph E. Talbot
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Ian R. H. Falloon, Department of Psychiatry, University of Southern California, 1934 Hospital Place, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
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Synopsis

The strategies used by 40 chronic schizophrenic out-patients with persistent auditory hallucinations to cope with the intrusive phenomena were explored. Frequent coping mechanisms included changes in activity, interpersonal contact, manipulations of physiological arousal, and attentional control. A high risk of suicide was noted.

Coping behaviour appeared somewhat independent of clinical and sociodemographic variables. Successful coping appeared to result from systematic application of widely used coping strategies. The implications for the clinical management of patients with persistent auditory hallucinations are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , May 1981 , pp. 329 - 339
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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