Hallucinations in adolescent inpatients with post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia: similarities and differences.
OBJECTIVE
This study compares the phenomenology of hallucinations in a series of hospitalized adolescents diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia.


METHODS
Subjects admitted to a tertiary adolescent inpatient unit were screened for hallucinations. Those reporting hallucinations were asked standardized questions relating to these experiences. Hallucinations in subjects with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or PTSD were compared.


RESULTS
Hallucinations in both schizophrenia and PTSD have similar form and content. Frequent, vivid, realistic, external hallucinations occurred in both disorders. Hallucinations in PTSD were usually derogatory and related to self-harm, but not direct reflections of traumatic events. Patients with PTSD reported greater emotional distress, self-harm and suicidal ideation than those with schizophrenia.


CONCLUSIONS
This case series suggests that the phenomenology of hallucinations in adolescents with schizophrenia and PTSD is similar.
Jessop
Mary
M
Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Royal Children's Hospital and Health District Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Mary_Jessop@health.qld.gov.au
Scott
James
J
Nurcombe
Barry
B
D000293:Adolescent; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011793:Queensland; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013850:Thinking