Psychosis
Volume 8, Issue 1, 2016, Pages 1-11

A qualitative study of refugees with psychotic symptoms (Article)

Rhodes J.E.* , Parrett N.S. , Mason O.J.
  • a Department of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
  • b Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, Division of Psychology & Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  • c Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, Division of Psychology & Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Refugees experience higher rates of psychotic symptoms, in particular auditory hallucinations. This study aimed to explore the experience of refugees diagnosed with psychosis from a first-person perceptive. Seven refugees from a routine clinical service who had experienced trauma were interviewed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed, generating six main themes: bleak agitated immobility, trauma-related perceptions, fear and mistrust of others, the sense of a broken self, the pain of losing everything, and the attraction of death. Six participants experienced voices, sounds, or visual phenomena thematically linked to past trauma. The sense of hopelessness was striking. Potential aims for therapy are a focus on helplessness, fear and coping, but also on the person’s lack of a sense of purpose, trust and engagement in everyday activities. © 2015 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

Phenomenology Refugees hallucinations Psychosis trauma

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84958154904&doi=10.1080%2f17522439.2015.1045547&partnerID=40&md5=28b99cd3a6fcefad579737f135218d69
DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2015.1045547
ISSN: 17522439
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English