Voice Hearing Interpreted

This article presents vignettes that reflect ways three individuals integrate voice-hearing experiences into very different belief systems. Differing spiritual belief systems substantially contributed to how voices were identified and welcomed (or not) into lifestyles and interpersonal relationships, demonstrating the unique nature of interpretation and experience. Although none of these individuals view their voices as symptoms of illness, the concept of "coping" does play a role because managing the voices presented at least occasional difficulties for each. Thus, this article concludes with a summary of successful coping strategies that these three individuals developed and used with their voices.