Do ‘Spirits’ Account for the Voices that Schizophrenic Patients Hear?

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Do ‘Spirits’ Account for the Voices that Schizophrenic Patients Hear? A consideration of the psychiatric research findings.
by Robert Hartley

Abstract
This paper discusses the ‘spirits model’, concerning the nature of auditory hallucination (AH) in schizophrenia. The model incorporates the views, methods and findings of practitioners using Spirit Release Therapy (SRT). The author also describes his own experience of mediumistic training undertaken to gain insight into the experience of individuals who hallucinate. This experience is incorporated when interpreting research findings. Theories, research findings and treatments related to auditory hallucinations, including models referring to socio-psychological factors, the misattribution of self-generated items and inner speech are interpreted applying the ‘spirits model’, along with internal and external voices and hallucinations in other modalities. Suggestions are made with regard to improved ways to judge and identify voices and consideration is given to the ‘omnipotence’ function of the voices. Identical verbal and nonverbal characteristics to AH in schizophrenics are found in Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC) research, suggesting the voices may have an external reality, come from same source and a technology may be available to objectively explore voice phenomena with voice hearers. The ‘spirits model’ accounted for both the major and anomalous AH research findings and suggests several new lines of research, with particular regard to prelingual deaf patients, the role of the nerve plexi associated with purported chakra points, the use of mediumship control methods, ear plugs, neuro-imaging research, ITC, the role of background noise and electrical appliances, SRT and the use of religious and spiritual items and practices including spiritual healing. Approaches consistent with the ‘spirits model’ in treating AH are compared with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) mindfulness methods, and Voice Dialogue procedures adopting the ‘dissociative model’. Strengths and shortcoming of these methods are discussed in the light of research findings and the ‘spirits model’; and suggestions are made for improved clinical practice and research. Triggers, various coping strategies, and experiences labeled ‘delusional’ are also interpreted in the light of the ‘spirits model’.’ The implications of refusing to allow scientific investigation of the voices patients hear using the ‘voice dialogue’ techniques developed by SRT practitioners are discussed. A call is made to apply tests consistent with validating patients experience, the implementation of research into the efficacy of Spirit Release Therapy (and compared with other voice dialogue techniques), and for the testing of hypotheses arising from the ‘spirits model’ that considers that some voices may represent a separate intruding consciousness that influences the mind of the voice hearer in distinctive ways, and which can be countered using appropriate measures.

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The following books are recommended as further information to the above article.

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The following links to other website may be of interest:

Terry Palmer - http://www.transpersonalpsychologist.net/

Background Articles
The following articles are the process of development and will be added to and updated on a regular basis.

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The Soul Journey	Soul/Body Link	Health Issues	Death & Transition
The articles here explore the recent developments in understanding the journey of the soul through various incarnations as well as information about its sojourn in between lives in the spirit realms. The Soul's Journey Reincarnation	In order to experience the Soul needs to be energetically linked into the body. The articles here look at various models that explains how this might occur, providing a further insight into the Soul/mind/body link. The Soul/Body Link Soul Fragments and Retrieval	Imbalances between the Soul and the mind/body can lead to a large range of health issues including mental and psychological problems. Mental imbalances include 'Dissociative Disorders' and 'Trance States'. Causes for Attachments Electromagnetic Pollution	One of the most challenging experiences that we will all have to face is the death of the physical body. The Near Death Experience or NDE tells us what should happen and provides insights into why spirits get trapped. Death and Transition Near Death Exp.(NDE)
Trapped Souls	Psychic Issues	Spirit Attachments	Spirit Release
There appear to be many reasons why Souls fail to make a full transition and become trapped or 'earthbound' and still able to influence the physical planes. We explore here some of the issues involved. Earthbound Souls	Sensitive people can be aware of a whole range of 'subtle' energies that can cause them considerable distress. The articles here explore these various states and the way that negative energies can be deliberately created. Geopathic Stress Curses	Individuals suffering invasions or spirit attachments claim a wide variety of different types of attaching entities, in addition to normal human Souls. We look here at some of the claims that have been made. Spirit Attachments Shadow Entities	We explore the processes that can be adopted to help release trapped or 'earthbound' spirits. The articles here also considers the differences between spirits that attach to people and those that are stuck in places. Spirit Release  - Background  - Places Part1  - Places Part2  - People Background  - People  - Demonic Release Pt1  - Demonic Release Pt2

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