Danger signs: command hallucinations in the D/deaf
| Pages | 265-273 |
| Published date | 14 November 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-05-2016-0025 |
| Date | 14 November 2016 |
| Author | Adrian William Coxell,Danielle Hett,Rachel Chapman |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Law enforcement/correctional,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
Danger signs: command hallucinations in
the D/deaf
Adrian William Coxell, Danielle Hett and Rachel Chapman
Adrian William Coxell is a
Consultant Clinical
Psychologist at the Department
of Psychology, St Andrew’s
Healthcare, Northampton, UK.
Danielle Hett and
Rachel Chapman are both
based at the Department of
Psychology, St Andrew’s
Healthcare, Northampton, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to describe the lack of literature and research on command
hallucinations (CHs) in D/deaf persons and make suggestions for assessment, instrument development and
research into CHs in D/deaf persons. This is important since it is known that hallucinations are more common
in persons with hearing impairment and because CHs are known to be associated not only with distress, but
also suicide and homicide.
Design/methodology/approach –Articles on hallucinations and CHs in D/deaf persons are discussed in
the context of existing literature on CHs in hearing persons.
Findings –When compared with the literature on hearing persons it is clear that very little is known about the
prevalence of CHs in D/deaf persons and that there is a significant lack of research into emotional and
behavioural responses to CHs in D/deaf persons. There is no knowledge about the effectiveness of cognitive
behavioural therapy (CBT) for D/deaf persons who experience CHs. This is important since a CBT approach
has been found to reduce risky compliance.
Practical implications –Thispaper makes recommendations forinformed and evidence-basedassessments
of CHs in D/deafpersons; such assessments may have an important role inreducing risk and distress.
Originality/value –This is the first paper to reviewand consider CHs in D/deaf persons as a distinct clinical
phenomenon. This papermakes recommendationsfor the assessmentof D/deaf personswho experience CHs.
Keywords CBT, Risk, Psychosis, Command hallucination, Deaf, Self-harm
Paper type General review
A note on terminology: linguistic and cultural diversity in D/deaf persons
This paper considers the experience of command hallucinations (CHs) in D/deaf persons. It is
important to note, however, that there is considerable linguistic diversity among D/deaf persons.
Some D/deaf people are oral, while others use sign language(s). Some D/deaf persons are
bilingual and they may use sign or oral language predominantly (Miller, 2004). D/deaf people also
vary with respect to their cultural identity, with some identifying with hearing culture, some with
deaf culture and some identifying with both hearing and deaf culture (Grosjean, 1992). Thus,
D/deaf persons may vary greatly with respect to the languages they use and the culture to which
they identify. Woodward (1972) proposed the term deaf used to refer to an audiological state,
while deaf refers to persons who share both a (sign) language and a deaf culture. We use the
term “D/deaf”here, as it is possible that a person may use sign language, but not necessarily
identify with “Deaf Culture”.
Research on the mental health of deaf persons
It has been argued that research on the mental health of D/deaf persons is “[…] behind hearing
mental health research by at least forty years”(Glickman and Pollard, 2013, p. 360). This paper
considers a particular example of this time lag with respect to D/deaf person’s experience of
Received 24 May 2016
Revised 24 July 2016
Accepted 25 July 2016
DOI 10.1108/JFP-05-2016-0025 VOL. 18 NO. 4 2016, pp. 265-273, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794
j
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
j
PAG E 26 5
To continue reading
Request your trial