Altered States of Consciousness: Evaluation of a voice‐hearing simulation during an immersive art exhibition

• Published in: Early intervention in psychiatry Vol. 12; no. 5; pp. 947 - 950
• Main Authors: Riches, Simon, Maskey, Rich, Waddingham, Rachel, Benjamin, Jonny, Dishman, Patrick, Tebrook, Charlie, Mundy, Eve, Roberts, Phoebe, Fisher, Helen L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Adult; art exhibition; auditory hallucinations; Female; Hallucinations - psychology; Health Education - methods; Humans; Male; mental health stigma; Pilot Projects; psychosis; simulation; Young Adult; mental health stigma; art exhibition; auditory hallucinations; simulation; psychosis
• ISSN: 1751-7885; 1751-7893
• DOI: 10.1111/eip.12497

Aim To improve public understanding of the subjective experience of auditory hallucinations and increase empathy towards individuals who hear voices and have other unusual sensory experiences. Methods This pilot study developed a new immersive art exhibition, Altered States of Consciousness, which gave members of the public an individualized voice‐hearing simulation experience in 2 real‐world settings—an art gallery and the London Underground. A total of 150 visitors completed visual analogue scales immediately before and after their experience of the exhibition. Results Post‐exhibition, there were significant increases in understanding what it feels like to hear voices, compassion towards voice hearers, and comfort in talking about these experiences. Participants enjoyed the simulation, felt they learned from their involvement, and did not find it stressful. Conclusions The exhibition and voice‐hearing simulation has further potential for public engagement and stigma reduction.