The phenomenology of auditory verbal hallucinations in emotionally unstable personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

Objective: To explore the phenomenology of auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) in a clinical sample of young people who have a 'non-psychotic' diagnosis. Methods: Ten participants aged 17-31 years with presentation of emotionally unstable personality disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder and frequent AVHs were recruited and participated in a qualitative study exploring their subjective experience of hearing voices. Photo-elicitation and ethnographic diaries were used to stimulate discussion in an otherwise unstructured walking interview. Results: 'Non-psychotic' voices comprised auditory qualities such as volume and clarity. Participants commonly personified their voices, viewing them..