The experience of voice hearing and the role of self-help group: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Background: Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) played an important role in the psychiatric diagnostics, but in the last few decades the diagnostic-free complex phenomenological understanding of the phenomena of voice hearing became the focus of studies. Materials: Six semi-structured interviews with recovering voice hearers were conducted and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Discussion: The self-help group gives significant help in identification and dealing with the voices; therefore, it serves as turning point in the life story of voice hearers. Conclusion: Applying self-help group in clinical context contributes to better outcomes in treatment of voice hearers.