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Can auditory command hallucinations force a person to carry out actions?
DrDianneFranklin
An Auditory Command Hallucination (ACH) occurs when a voice tells an individual to carry out a specific act(s). A person experiencing this kind of hallucination frequently feels under a powerful obligation to obey the voice and carry out such actions. The results can be devastating ; wrongful, immoral, illegal.
Most of us take our ability to think before we act for granted. But this is not easy for people who experience ACH. Although the person may be able to determine the rights or wrongs of actions the ACH can so overwhelm the person that the mind says it must be done regardless of the consequences. The person is often unable to resist obeying a command even when carrying out a wrongful deed that conflicts with the sufferer's personality ; which could be commendable with high moral values.
There are medical reasons for such behavior. People who experience ACH have a seriously impaired contact with reality and frequently lack the abilities of reasoning and rational judgement. When hearing voices they often find themselves compelled to obey the commands, particularly if the voice is familiar, persuasive, intimidating or authoritative. They must obey the voice even if it means personal self harm.
It can be said of people with Bipolar disorder or severe depression experiencing ACH that at such times the illness is controlling the person's thoughts and holds sway over their actions.
Some ACH sufferers even convince themselves that it is God who is telling them to do the deed. When God speaks, man must obey. Man has no choice in the matter.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThe effects of Auditory Command Hallucinations can strongly influence the thoughts and subsequent behavior of even the most respected members of our society.
Even when the person is aware of the rights and wrongs of immoral or illegal deeds the auditory commands can so overwhelm the person that the mind says it must be done regardless of the consequences and thereby compelling the person to perform the wrongful deed.
There is increasing concern among medical and legal professionals that details of character or personality prior to the onset of the psychotic state of mind should be seriously considered by the judiciary as a means of mitigation in all such cases. The view held by many is that in the absence of the illness the person probably would not have offended but remained true to character. The medical explanations are not meant to excuse the person's offenses but to provide a reason why he behaved out of character.
There have been many cases of law-abiding, deeply religious people hearing a voice when nobody is around. If the voice is authoritative and gives them instructions they often convince themselves its God speaking to them. If the command is from God then man must obey, even if man thinks it is wrong because God's orders prevail.
People suffering schizophrenia are more susceptible than most others to carry out the commands than sufferers of bipolar or psychotic depression. Take the case of an English serial killer, Peter Sutcliffe (The Yorkshire Killer), who in 1981 was convicted of murdering thirteen women because loud hallucinations had instructed him to kill them. Sutcliffe believed he was the instrument of God's wrath on earth and waged a holy war against immorality. His delusional system centered on the belief that God had given him a mission to rid the world of prostitutes.
It should be noted that auditory hallucinations can also be calming or reassuring.
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Can auditory command hallucinations cause behavior that is incongrous with the person's character?
Auditory command hallucinations can be the cause of behavior that is totally incompatible with the person's character - even immoral or illegal behavior.Auditory hallucinations should not be an excuse for a person to carry out wrongful deeds but they can certainly be the cause.
How hallucinogens cause hallucinations?
The exact nature of how hallucinogens cause hallucinations is not known, but it is thought that they mimic the actions of neurotransmitters and bind to receptor sites in the brain. This causes a person to experience sensations that are not real.
Does LSD make a person have hallucinations?
Yes, depending on the dosage, LSD can cause physical, auditory, and visual hallucinations respectivly.
What is auditory imagery?
Auditory imagery is a learning style in which a person learns through listening.
Should a person suffering from psychosis who carries out wrongful deeds be labelled dishonest or criminal?
Mental Health should not be used as an excuse to commit an offense. However there are circumstances when certain mental health conditions such as psychosis (delusions or auditory command hallucinations) can be responsible for the person having carried out a wrongful deed.The character and personality of the person prior to the onset of psychosis should be considered. As far as applying a label is concerned then yes, they may have been dishonest or criminal but if it was during psychosis there are mitigating circumstances ; medical explanations for uncharacteristic behavior. The most urgent label to apply is that they are "unwell" and need specialist medical treatment.
Why is it necessary for the person with this implant to have function in the auditory nerves?
It is necessary for the person with a cochlear implant to have function in the auditory nerves. This is because without the nerve function, the implant will not work.
What do you call a person who learns best by doing?
An auditory learner
Are there any grounds for a person suffering psychosis not being held accountable for uncharacteristic wrongful deeds?
Mental Health should not be used as an excuse for a person to commit an offense. There should be some personal responsibility. However, a Mental Disorder resulting in psychosis can be the reason why a person has committed an offense.Psychosis is a serious mental state personified by the presence of delusions and hallucinations. It is normally associated with schizophrenia, but psychosis can occur in people with bipolar disorder or severe depression. A person experiencing auditory command hallucinations frequently feels compelled to carry out the orders given by the voices. He may well know the nature of the act and know it to be wrong but due to his mental health condition he has impaired contact with reality, lack of judgement and / or diminished ability to think before he acts. He often has no thought of the consequences - whether it be good or bad, right or wrong. There are numerous cases where even previously law-abiding people of good character have experienced auditory command hallucinations and have felt compelled to carry out the orders given by the voices.They have lost self control and have been unable to resist the illness which holds sway over their actions. In "the eyes of the law" everything is black or white, right or wrong ; if a person carries out a wrongful deed and has a wrongful mind then he is guilty ( actus reus and mens rea ) . However, when considering the potential effects of psychosis things are not black or white - there are grey areas ; it may be a wrongful act but what if psychosis has strongly influenced the mind ? There is increasing medical and legal opinion that the character of the person prior to first suffering psychosis must be taken into account. If the person was widely regarded as principled, acted in accordance with morality and recognised right and wrong, then society should not be so quick to judge his wrongful actions at times when affected by the mental disorder. If the person's mind was healthy - not affected by psychosis - he probably would have behaved true to his "normal healthy personality" and not carried out the offense.
What is medical term when a person sees imaginary people?
hallucinations :D
Is know a Command noun?
Yes, the word 'command' is a noun, a singular, common, abstract noun a word for an order give by a person with authority; the ability or authority to take control; a thing. The word 'command' is also a verb and an adjective. Example uses: Noun: The command was given to proceed. Verb: You may command their actions but you can't command how they feel. Adjective: We report to command headquarters in the morning.
Do autistic people have auditory halucinations?
Autistic people are as likely to experience auditory halucinations as neurotypical people. Auditory halucinations are not a characteristic of autism, if an autistic person is experiencing these symptoms it is a sign of a mental health problem and not due to their being autistic.
How much pot do you need to smoke to hullucinate?
The psychoactive cannabinoids in marijuana cannot cause hallucinations like what one expects from LSD or Psilocybin mushrooms. It's just not potent enough. However, the hallucinations are generally auditory (Random sounds usually) and as far as visual hallucinations, most of them are known as closed-eye visuals (CEVs), which is patterns and light you see when you close your eyes. Some people have reported slight open-eye visuals (OEVs) from marijuana as well. As far as the amount required, it all depends on quality and the person as not all people react to marijuana the same way.
