Integrating Anxiety Reduction into an Existing Self-Management of Auditory Hallucinations Course.

High levels of anxiety were found to interfere with voice hearers' ability to benefit from a 10-Session Behavioral Management of Auditory Hallucinations Course. The 10-session course was revised, adding anxiety reduction strategies to the first four classes and reinforcing those strategies in the remaining eight classes. A multi-site study (N = 27) used repeated measures to determine whether the new 12-session course would significantly reduce anxiety. Ten course leaders were trained and taught the course six times at three different outpatient mental health sites. Three measures of anxiety were used. The 12-session course was found to significantly reduce anxiety after the first four classes with further reduction at the end of the course. Eighty-eight percent of course participants reported the course was moderately to extremely helpful. They also reported that being in a group with others with similar symptoms was valuable. Course leaders reported learning about the prevalence and importance of treating voice hearers' anxiety. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55(5), 29-39.].

Auditory hallucinations interview guide: promoting recovery with an interactive assessment tool.

The Auditory Hallucinations Interview Guide (AHIG) is a 32-item tool that helps psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nurses assess past and current experiences of voice hearers so they can provide more individualized care. The AHIG was developed as a research tool but has also been found to be clinically useful in both inpatient and outpatient settings to help voice hearers and nurses develop a shared terminology of auditory hallucinations (AH). Using the AHIG, voice hearers are able to tell their stories in a structured and safe environment, thus encouraging recovery. Through respect and active listening, PMH nurses can communicate unconditional acceptance, caring, and hope for recovery, which helps develop rapport and promote trust in the nurse-patient relationship. Once trust is developed, voice hearers and PMH nurses can work together to find effective strategies for managing AH, including commands to harm self and others.