Study into millions who hear voices in head launched to coincide with WHVD
By John von Radowitz, PA Science Correspondent
Scientists in the UK are to investigate why so many "normal" people hear voices in their heads.
The University of Manchester study follows research suggesting that up to 4% of the population may hear voices.
Many of these people are outwardly healthy and not bothered by their experience.
Researcher Aylish Campbell, from the Manchester team, said: "We know that many members of the general population hear voices, but have never felt the need to access mental health services.
"Some experts even claim that more people hear voices and don't seek psychiatric help than those who do.
"In fact, many of those affected describe their voices as being a positive influence in their lives, comforting or inspiring them as they go about their daily business. We're now keen to investigate why some people respond in this way, while others are distressed and seek outside help."
Traditionally, auditory hallucinations have been viewed as abnormal and symptoms of mental illness.
Ground-breaking research into hearing voices was published six years ago by Dutch psychologist Professor Marius Romme, formerly at the University of Maastricht, and Dr Sandra Escher from the University of Central England in Birmingham.
They claimed between two and 4% of people regularly heard voices, but only a third of this group became mental patients.
Both psychiatric patients and members of the general population are thought to hear voices with the same volume and frequency. But people with a history of mental illness tend to find their voices more distressing.
The Manchester researchers believe external factors such as a person's life experiences and beliefs may help explain these differences.
"If a person is struggling to overcome a trauma or views themselves as worthless or vulnerable, or other people as aggressive, they may be more likely to interpret their voices as harmful, hostile or powerful," said Ms Campbell.
"Conversely, a person who has had more positive life experiences and formed more healthy beliefs about themselves and other people might develop a more positive view of their voices.
"People being treated for hearing voices are usually given medication in an attempt to eliminate the problem.
"By investigating the factors influencing how voices are experienced we hope to contribute to the development of psychological therapies to help people better understand and cope with their voices."
The team wants to hear from people in the North West aged 16 years and over who have been hearing voices for at least six months.
The study launched tomorrow coincides with World Hearing Voices Day.