Pseudohallucinations versus hallucinations: wherein lies the difference?
Deborah Wearne, Amanda Genetti
Australasian Psychiatry June 2015 DOI: 10.1177/1039856215586150 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational comparative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People with post-traumatic stress disorder with dissociative symptoms and people with schizophrenia |
| Measures | Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale |
| Topics | PTSD |
| Keywords | Pseudohallucinations |
| Key findings | The two groups did not differ significantly in the loudness, control, position, duration, or frequency of voices, but differed significantly in delusions and negative content. The authors propose a collaborative, dimensional nomenclature for subtyping pseudohallucinations along a continuum. |
Abstract
This paper firstly explores the historical concept of pseudohallucinations and their phenomenology. It then examines the experience of hallucinosis in two subject groups, one with post-traumatic stress disorder with dissociative symptoms and the second with schizophrenia. The two groups were assessed using the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale with a view to identifying differences in the hallucinatory and delusional experience. There was no significant difference between the groups in loudness, control, position, duration, or frequency of the voices. Delusions and negative content differed significantly, however. Researchers have started to describe pseudohallucinations along a continuum. We build on this dimensional approach and suggest a collaborative nomenclature for subtyping.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on PTSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Using Low Doses in a Small Sample of Women with Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Women with chronic PTSD secondary to sexual assault | 2008 | Observational cohort | n = 6 |
| An Ambulatory Polysomnography Study of the Post-traumatic Nightmares of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment-seeking veterans, current serving military members, and emergency service... | 2017 | Observational study using ambulatory polysomnography | n = 35 |
| Increased Mastery Elements Associated With Imagery Rehearsal Treatment for Nightmares in Sexual Assault Survivors With PTSD. Female sexual assault survivors with chronic nightmares | 2004 | Observational cohort | n = 44 |
| Posttraumatic stress symptoms following near-death experiences. Persons who report near-death experiences and those who came close to death without NDEs | 2001 | Observational study | |
| Impact of oral ketamine augmentation on hospital admissions in treatment-resistant depression and PTSD: a retrospective study. Outpatients with treatment-resistant depression and PTSD | 2018 | Retrospective review | n = 37 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Occurrence and phenomenology of hallucinations in the general population: A large online survey Schizophrenia April 23, 2022
- Administration of oxathridine, a first‐in‐class histamine‐3 receptor partial agonist in healthy male volunteers: Central nervous system depression and pseudo‐hallucinations British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology September 19, 2023