The Modification of Psychological Interventions for Persistent Auditory Hallucinations to an Islamic Culture

Auditory hallucinations comprise the most common symptoms of schizophrenia. Although antipsychotic medications are helpful, in that they reduce symptoms and the likelihood of relapse, many patients do not benefit from their use. In recent years, psychological interventions have been developed in the West to help such patients. However, cross-cultural studies have shown that the nature and form of auditory hallucinations are affected by cultural differences, suggesting that a patient's cultural background needs to be considered when applying psychological methods. In this study, three schizophrenic patients from Saudi Arabia whose auditory hallucinations persisted despite the administration of antipsychotic medications were given a modified psychological intervention designed to alter the characteristics and content of their hallucinations. The modifications included an emphasis on Islamic doctrine and religion. Two patients benefited from the interventions. The third patient was reluctant to engage with the therapist, probably because the content of his voices was benign. The importance of such modifications when employing psychological intervention for patients from non-Western backgrounds is discussed.