The effects of hypnosis on dissociative identity disorder: a reexamination of the evidence

Powell, Russell A.; Gee, Travis

The effects of hypnosis on dissociative identity disorder: a reexamination of the evidence

Author

Powell, Russell A.

Gee, Travis

Date

1999

Keywords

dissociative identity disorder, iatrogenesis, hypnosis

Abstract (summary)

Examines previously published data (C. A. Ross and G. R. Norton, see record 1990-10586-001 ) that have been interpreted as indicating that hypnosis does not exert significant iatrogenic effects on dissociative identity disorder (DID). Ross and Norton compared characteristics of 57 patients with DID who had been hypnotized before and after diagnosis with those of 38 patients who had never been hypnotized. The current authors found that hypnotized Ss showed greater variability than nonhypnotized Ss in number of alter personalities and in abuse history. Results of this reanalysis indicate that hypnosis may have significant iatrogenic effects in DID patients.

Publication Information

Powell, R. A., & Gee, T. L. (1999). The effects of hypnosis on dissociative identity disorder: a re-examination of the evidence. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 44, 914-916.