hallucinations (third person auditory)

Last reviewed 01/2018

Third person hallucinations are auditory hallucinations in which patients hear voices talking about themselves, referring to them in the third person, for example "he is an evil person".

This type of auditory hallucination is particularly associated with schizophrenia, but can occur in affective disorders. Such voices may be experienced as commenting on the patient's intended actions - "he wants to kill her", or describing his current actions - "he is trying to sleep now". A running commentary by voices is most suggestive of schizophrenia.