Patterns of Auditory Verbal Hallucination among Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Schizophrenia

Background: Presence of auditory hallucination is considered to be the frontline diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. The present study aimed to evaluate the pattern of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) among patients diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia.

Materials and method: Consented patients (N=52) were asked individually to detail about their experience of persistent auditory hallucinations using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data was pooled and analyzed using Microsoft Excel-2007.

Results: Mean age at first hearing voices was 26 years, and 50% of them reported to hear voices for about a few minutes a day. 11.5% of them reported that their voices were hostile and many (69.2%) of them heard voices of more than one person talking at a time. Commenting type of AVH was more (84.6%), voices more (61.5%) frequently heard during evening time. Majority (57.7%) of them reported to hear voices which are of both male and female and 50% of them it was not from anyone they known before. 88% reported that the intensity of AVH was more when they are alone and 65.4% of them reported to be relieved when they started doing something interesting. 50% them reported that the medications have no effect over AVH.

Discussion: The result of the study may be used to increase understanding of the pattern of AVH among chronic schizophrenia and to be more empathetic in formulating nursing care plans to help those troubled voice hearers by incorporating more adaptive self help strategies to deal with it.