Oliver Sacks writes in the New York Times about the commonality, and even positive and comforting roles, that hallucinations can play in the general population. He advises that engaging with hallucinations without fear – and even with good humor – can lead to different and better outcomes than a diagnosis of mental illness.
See “A Beautiful Mind” for a film representation of this functionally workable psychological move. As Steven Hayes recently posted in ACT for the Public email listserve:
A lot of folks think voices are so unusual they work differently but
a) they are not that unusual, and
b) they seem to work the same as other experiences (e.g., panic; depressive thoughts).
Back up, notice them, don’t take them literally (neither comply nor argue back/fight),
learn what experience shows is useful to learn from them (e.g., notice when they occur etc),
shift attention to what you care most about, link behavior to values
– Steven C. Hayes, Foundation Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada
Best to all, rob purssey
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I’ve read a few of Oliver Sacks’ books over the years. Dr. Sacks is eminently readable, endlessly prolific, and helplessly humane. It would be a dream to have him Op-ed at MIA… In fact, taking that thought further, I could envision him doing a book on MIA culture. I urge Kermit et. al to consider contacting him!
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