"Voices" in People's Heads Are Complex ---commentary by Alan Manevitz, MD

"Voices" in People's Heads Are Complex ---commentary by Alan Manevitz, MD

Auditory hallucinations commonly known as "voices" is a characteristic of many psychiatric illnesses. Auditory hallucinations involve perceiving sound without an auditory stimulus. It is presumed to be pathology or a symptom that represents 'psychosis' (a break from reality) brought on by substance abuse or another medical/psychiatric illnesses that needs ot be medicated. Other studies have shown auditory hallucinations are correlated with an increase in activity of the thalamic and strietal subcortical nuclei, paralimbic and hypothalamus areas in the brain. Metabolism and dopamine neurotransmitters are what is currently implicated and treated by means of a number of antipsychotic drugs. The treatment and resolution of the symptom has become the way medicine and psychiatry tracks advancement in patients. New York City psychiatrist

There's on going research that supports the prevalence of auditory hallucinations having a dearth of other normal psychotic symptoms (like delusions or paranoia). Differentiating real auditory hallucinations from "sounds" or a standard internal dialogue is essential since the latter occurrences isn't indicative of mental illness.

Thisphenomenonological surveyby Angela Woods et al that was done on 153 areas is new in that it studies a broad range of individuals that has many different diagnoses. Nevertheless, it's essential to notice the survey was put on-line and advertised for people who 'heard voices'. Thus, the results usually do not reveal the incidence of auditory hallucinations in the general or illness -specific people. 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 individuals were "certainly" (by research workers's admission) signify in this survey. The writers in their very own self-evaluation note: "Although individuals from black and minority ethnic origins are up to nine times more likely than people from other ethnic origins to present with symptoms of psychosis, 'they are underrepresented in this study'." New York City psychiatrist

This study is interesting because it raises questions of what "fanciful sound" is: passive or uncontrolled imaginary understandings vs. perceptual hallucinations The results reveal 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 ideas discussion with the individual or with each other). Slightly less than half of the surveyed group heard it as "voices" while the others "heard" it as thoughts or assorted thoughts and voices. Two-thirds (66%) reported bodilysensations (referred to as tactile hallucinations generally psychiatry) and these senses were associated with abusive or violent voices. Is that one-third reported favorable emotions, one-third neutral emotions and the remainder emotions of pressure, 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 just prevalent in 5% of those participating.

*This study has no current useful clinical applicationfor people now suffering from hallucinations (auditory or tactile). Readers who have family members suffering from internal voices or ideas or are currently suffering should see their doctor 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 teaches 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 Greatest Psychiatrists in New York, and Best Doctors of America.

Dr. Manevitz is recognized for his clinical skills and superiority in Marital, Family and Sex Therapy, complex issues including drug (Advanced Psychopharmacology), and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). He is also nationally and globally recognized for his clinical skills in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He has lectured at national assemblies and the grand rounds on the clinical treatment of Pain and Fibromyalgia.

Dr. Manevitz has developed a reputation for consultation of challenging to diagnose patients and review of treatment resistant patients where he utilizes his knowledge of classic treatments and his expertise as an early adapter to new drugs and medical devices to quarterback innovative biopsychosocial incorporated clinical strategies of treatment.