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Auditory hallucinations commonly known as "voices" has been a feature of several psychiatric illnesses. Auditory hallucinations involve perceiving sound without an auditory stimulation. It is presumed to be pathology or a symptom that represents 'psychosis' (a break from reality) caused by substance abuse or another medical/psychiatric illnesses that must be medicated. Other studies have demonstrated auditory hallucinations are correlated with an increase in activity of the strietal and thalamic subcortical nuclei, paralimbic and hypothalamus regions in the mind. Dopamine neurotransmitters and metabolism are what treated and is implicated with a variety of antipsychotic drugs. Resolution and the treatment of this symptom is the way medicine and psychiatry trails progress in patients. - psychiatrists New York

There is ongoing research that supports the preponderance of auditory hallucinations with a dearth of other normal psychotic symptoms (for example delusions or paranoia). Discerning genuine auditory hallucinations from "sounds" or a regular internal conversation is important since the latter phenomena is not indicative of mental illness.

Thisphenomenonological surveyby Angela Woods et al that was done on 153 subjects is innovative because it studies a broad selection of individuals that has many different investigations. Nevertheless, it's essential to see the survey was put on line and advertised for individuals who 'heard voices'. Consequently, the results don't reflect the prevalence of auditory hallucinations in the general or illness -specific populations. The study had other restrictions 2.5 times as many women as men completed the survey, it was only offered in English, there was no verification of self-reports and the 'coding' of characteristics was done by the research workers but not independently volunteered. Acutely ill folks were "definitely" (by researchers's admission) signify in this survey. The authors in their own self-evaluation note: "Although people from black and minority ethnic sources are up to nine times more likely than people from other ethnic sources to present with symptoms of psychosis, 'they are underrepresented in this study'."

This study is intriguing because it raises questions of what "imagined sound" is: passive or uncontrolled imagined perceptions vs. perceptual hallucinations The results demonstrate that 81% heard multiple voices with different "character " qualities (that means they were of specific age, sex and had distinct identities) that were expressed internally within the head (as opposed to external as if the voices heard 'were in the room') and were 'conversational' (that is the voices or thoughts conversation with the person or with each other). Somewhat less than half the studied group heard it as "voices" while the others "heard" it as ideas or assorted ideas and voices. Two thirds (66%) reported bodilysensations (referred to as tactile hallucinations generally psychiatry) and these sensations were associated with abusive and/or violent voices. Of note, is that one-third reported favorable emotions, one third neutral emotions along with the rest emotions of worry, depression, fear and anxiety. Furthermore, the survey reported that 'command hallucinations' (which have been presumed in general practice to be indicative of high risk of injury to self and others) was only common in 5% of those participating.

*This study has no current useful clinical applicationfor people currently suffering from hallucinations (auditory or tactile). Readers who are currently suffering or have family members suffering from ideas or internal voices should see their physician for guidance.
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Alan Manevitz, M.D. is a Psychiatrist in New York, where he maintains a private practice. Dr. Manevitz is a clinical associate professor at Payne Whitney-Weill Cornell Medical Center, an attending psychiatrist at New York Presbyterian and Lennox Hill Hospitals, and instructs at the Weill-Cornell Medical School.

Dr. Manevitz has been named amongst the Top Doctors in America by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., New York Time's Super Doctors, New York Magazine's Best Shrinks in New York, and Best Doctors of America. - psychiatrists New York