The most common type of hallucination for people with mental illness is hearing voices. True or false?

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Hearing voices is least common
• D. Olfactory hallucinations are most common

Answer: (B)

Auditory hallucinations—hearing voices or sounds without an external source—are the most commonly reported type of hallucination in psychotic illnesses, especially schizophrenia. People with these conditions often describe voices that comment on their actions, converse with them, or issue commands. Other sensory hallucinations, like visual, olfactory, or tactile experiences, do occur but are much less frequent as the primary symptom. Because auditory experiences are so prevalent, the statement that hearing voices is the most common type of hallucination is true.