The impact of current media events on hallucinatory content: the experience of the intensive care unit (ICU) patient.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influence of current media events on hallucinatory content in ICU patients.


METHODS
Patients were interviewed over a one-year period, and their descriptions of hallucinatory experiences, together with weekly media stories, were assessed for themes of war.


RESULTS
Media coverage for war-related stories rose significantly during the period of war in Kosovo (24/3/99-20/6/99). Patients whose ICU stays coincided with this conflict were more likely to have hallucinatory experiences involving themes of war or the military. Older adults (> 70) were also more susceptible to this effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Contextual variables such as current media events can have a significant impact upon the contents of hallucinatory experiences.
Skirrow
Paul
P
Intensive Care Research Group, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK.
Jones
Christina
C
Griffiths
Richard D
RD
Kaney
Sue
S
D000328:Adult; D004739:England; D006212:Hallucinations; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008402:Mass Media; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014857:Warfare; D015022:Yugoslavia