PERSISTING AUDITORY HALLUCINATIONS - PROSPECTS FOR NON-MEDICATION INTERVENTIONS IN A HOSPITAL POPULATION

The potential efficacy of recently developed cognitive and behavioural treatments (CBT) for residual hallucinations raises practical questio ns about the extent of applicability of such treatments and rite possi ble need for programmatic responses by mental health services. This pi lot study, conducted in a 355-bed acute and rehabilitation psychiatric hospital, explored the prevalence of persisting auditory hallucinatio ns, patients' coping strategies. and indicators for cognitive and beha vioural treatments, A census identified 123 patients with persisting h allucinations. Information about practical impediments to CBT was obta ined from structured interviews with staff. Detailed interviews with a subsample of 35 hallucinators identified natural coping strategies an d indicators for treatment. High rates of natural coping strategies we re reported by this very disabled sample, Fifty-three per cent of hall ucinators were considered ''potential'' candidates, and 20% ''good'' c andidates for CBT for voices.