Efficacy of Single-Session Abreactive Ego State Therapy for Combat Stress Injury, PTSD, and ASD1

Abstract

Using abreactive Ego State Therapy (EST), 36 patients meeting DSM–IV–TR and PTSD checklist (PCL) criteria were exposed to either 5–6 hours of manualized treatment or placebo in a single session. EST emphasizes repeated hypnotically activated abreactive “reliving” of the trauma experience combined with therapists' ego strength. Both the placebo and EST treatment groups showed significant reductions in PTSD checklist scores immediately posttreatment (placebo: mean 17.34 points; EST: mean 53.11 points) but only the EST patients maintained significant treatment effect at 4-week and 16- to 18-week follow-ups. Abreactive EST appears to be an effective and durable treatment for PTSD inclusive of combat stress injury and acute stress disorder.