Posttraumatic stress disorder, hypnotizability, and imagery

Abstract

Twenty-six Vietnam veterans were studied to determine the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and hypnotizability. The intensity of their posttraumatic stress disorder was measured by a self-report. Their hypnotizability scores, vividness of imagery scores, and symptomatic profiles were also ascertained. Veterans with low or no posttraumatic stress disorder scores had normal hypnotizability scores and normal imagery scores, whereas those with high posttraumatic stress disorder scores had high hypnotizability scores and high imagery scores. The authors conclude that either combat traumas enhanced hypnotic potential in some veterans or that veterans with excellent hypnotic potential to begin with were more susceptible to posttraumatic stress.