"Distress is probably the wrong word": exploring uncertainty and ambivalence in non-clinical voice-hearing and the psychosis continuum.

The paper argues that the term "distress" inadequately captures the experiences of people who hear voices outside a clinical context. Drawing on qualitative interviews, it explores how non-clinical voice-hearers describe uncertainty and ambivalence about their experiences, challenging the assumption that voice-hearing is inherently distressing. The authors suggest that a more nuanced understanding of voice-hearing along the psychosis continuum is needed, one that accommodates both positive and negative aspects without pathologizing all voice-hearing.

Study at a glance

Abstract

"Distress is probably the wrong word": exploring uncertainty and ambivalence in non-clinical voice-hearing and the psychosis continuum.