Am J Psychiatry 1979; 136:940-943
Copyright © 1979 by American Psychiatric Association
The form and content of schizophrenic hallucinations
AR Larkin
To evaluate changes in the hallucinatory experience, the author analyzed
the form and content of the hallucinations of 10 schizophrenic patients
during two phases of their illness, the acute phase and remission. In both
test periods the patients experienced auditory hallucinations as
objectively real and as directing their thoughts and behavior. Nonauditory
hallucinations appeared more common than cursory examination would suggest.
The patients were able to stop auditory hallucinations during remission but
not during the acute phase of their illness. Hallucinatory content was
threatening and isolating during the acute phase but supportive and
socially focused during remissions.
