Case Study: The Treatment of Auditory Hallucinations in Children with Emotional Disorders

The nosological status and treatment of auditory hallucinations in children who have either emotional or behavioural disorders is an area that is poorly researched. Auditory hallucinations are associated with a wide range of emotional and behavioural disorders, and are likely to be present in between 1% to 5.7% of children seen in out-patient clinics by child and adolescent psychiatrists. A case study of a 12-year-old boy with a 14-month history of second-person auditory hallucinations associated with a diagnosis of severe depression is presented. In terms of age, gender, family history and symptomatology, this case is typical of children with non-organic, non-schizophreniform hallucinations. In this case, successful treatment comprised both cognitive-behavioural techniques, aimed at alleviating the mood disorder, and neuroleptic medication.