Hypnotic Treatment of Hallucinations and Disordered Impulse Control

Abstract

A highly motivated, fifty-nine-year-old, male patient with psychotic episodes of unknown etiology involving visual and auditory hallucinations was treated successfully using nonauthoritarian hypnotic interventions in the absence of any psychotropic medication. His hallucinations remitted completely as did the occurrence of bizarre, impulsive nocturnal behaviors that often accompanied the hallucinations. Speculations regarding the therapeutic mechanisms involved are presented. Stress reduction, especially that resulting from increased acceptance of his hallucinations, is postulated as having been largely responsible for the gains achieved.