1. Hearing voices : An Insiders Guide Facilitated by Debra Lampshire

2. Ti Hei Mauri Ora This is an acknowledgement to the Breathe of Life – life-force – wellbeing Mihi nu nui ki a koutou i tenei ra Mihi nu nui ki a koutou i tenei ra Big greetings to you all who are here today Tena koutou mo ou tautoko Tena koutou mo ou tautoko Thank you for your support O te kaupapa o te ra nei In listening to my thinking and beliefs today Ten koutou, tena koutou, Tena koutou katoa Ten koutou, tena koutou, Tena koutou katoa I greet you all once I greet you all twice I greet you all three times Greetings to one and all Ti Hei Mauri Ora This is an acknowledgement to the Breathe of Life – life-force – wellbeing Mihi nu nui ki a koutou i tenei ra Mihi nu nui ki a koutou i tenei ra Big greetings to you all who are here today Tena koutou mo ou tautoko Tena koutou mo ou tautoko Thank you for your support O te kaupapa o te ra nei In listening to my thinking and beliefs today Ten koutou, tena koutou, Tena koutou katoa Ten koutou, tena koutou, Tena koutou katoa I greet you all once I greet you all twice I greet you all three times Greetings to one and all

3. Background Hearing Voices since childhood Developed unusual beliefs Long periods in institutions Got voices under control began working with Mental Health Hearing Voices since childhood Developed unusual beliefs Long periods in institutions Got voices under control began working with Mental Health

4. Guiding Principles Informed by experience Accumulated knowledge, skills developed and wisdom of people dealing with distressing voices Approach can be used in group format or with individuals Informed by experience Accumulated knowledge, skills developed and wisdom of people dealing with distressing voices Approach can be used in group format or with individuals

5. Changing the relationship with voices Understanding the role of voices and how they work in peoples lives Acknowledging the impact of stress and anxiety The voice hearing experience has meaning, is related to life circumstances and is comprehensible. Changing the relationship with voices Understanding the role of voices and how they work in peoples lives Acknowledging the impact of stress and anxiety The voice hearing experience has meaning, is related to life circumstances and is comprehensible.

6. Personal Perspective I am engaged in a relationship with my voices I am in an abusive relationship with some of them They can only express themselves in harsh ways it is my job to interpret their content into helpful ways. It alerts me to being stressed I am engaged in a relationship with my voices I am in an abusive relationship with some of them They can only express themselves in harsh ways it is my job to interpret their content into helpful ways. It alerts me to being stressed

7. I need to be their therapist at times They can do nothing without my consent Addressing them as quickly as possible makes it easier to deal with them They are not always honest they lie and can misguide me at times I always treat them with kindness and respect I need to be their therapist at times They can do nothing without my consent Addressing them as quickly as possible makes it easier to deal with them They are not always honest they lie and can misguide me at times I always treat them with kindness and respect

8. They are part of who I am. I would never choose to be free of them completely I only work on my negative voices positive voices require no attention at all The only power they have is what I give them! They are part of who I am. I would never choose to be free of them completely I only work on my negative voices positive voices require no attention at all The only power they have is what I give them!

9. Tactics of Voices They like to isolate. Significant relationships are the biggest threat to their existence They are jealous and interfere with relationships so they can have you all to themselves The are extreme and always go to the worst possible scenario first They like to isolate. Significant relationships are the biggest threat to their existence They are jealous and interfere with relationships so they can have you all to themselves The are extreme and always go to the worst possible scenario first

10. They need fear to thrive so will induce as much anxiety as they can into a situation. They don’t always tell the truth They know your deepest secrets so can needle you in the most efficient ways They need fear to thrive so will induce as much anxiety as they can into a situation. They don’t always tell the truth They know your deepest secrets so can needle you in the most efficient ways

11. They are patient and will wait so they have your full attention They are not to be taken literally they have their own unique code deciphering that code reveals the true meaning of their messages They are patient and will wait so they have your full attention They are not to be taken literally they have their own unique code deciphering that code reveals the true meaning of their messages

12. Common Traits of Voice hearers Find it hard to tolerate silence Tend to think symbolically and metaphorically Prefer their minds to be occupied Sensitivity to low frequency humming noise Highly Anxious Not very assertive Find it hard to tolerate silence Tend to think symbolically and metaphorically Prefer their minds to be occupied Sensitivity to low frequency humming noise Highly Anxious Not very assertive

13. Tend to be language people who like to communicate Have a tendency to jump to conclusions rapidly and find it difficult to change their minds once they have formed an opinion Usually quite intelligent Experience fear intrusively Have a sense of over-responsibility and a need to make things right. Tend to be language people who like to communicate Have a tendency to jump to conclusions rapidly and find it difficult to change their minds once they have formed an opinion Usually quite intelligent Experience fear intrusively Have a sense of over-responsibility and a need to make things right.

14. 11-13% of the general population experienced hallucinations at some point in their lives (Tien, 1991) 82% of the older population hear voices when bereaved (Grimby, 1993) 37%-39% of university students hear voices (Morrison, 2003). A small percentage of people continue to hear distressing voices therefore they are ‘fluent’ voice hearers Did you Know!

15. History of Groups Groups have been running for 10 years in DHB Open to all DHB clients regardless of diagnosis or service Groups are modified to met the needs of the range of participants e.g. Culture, age, gender, time in service Training provided to staff Groups have been running for 10 years in DHB Open to all DHB clients regardless of diagnosis or service Groups are modified to met the needs of the range of participants e.g. Culture, age, gender, time in service Training provided to staff

16. Results Participants reported overall a 50% reduction in frequency and distress of voice hearing over the six week period. These voice hearers had on average 20 years of voice hearing experience. Current participants are reporting between a 30%–70% reduction in frequency and distress. Participants reported overall a 50% reduction in frequency and distress of voice hearing over the six week period. These voice hearers had on average 20 years of voice hearing experience. Current participants are reporting between a 30%–70% reduction in frequency and distress.

17. Hearing Voices Group

18. Where to get more information Debra Lampshire E-mail address: Debra.L@xtra.co.nz Mobile Phone No: +6427 268 6676 Debra Lampshire E-mail address: Debra.L@xtra.co.nz Mobile Phone No: +6427 268 6676