Hypnotizability and Psychoactive Medication

Abstract

The effect of several commonly used psychoactive medications on hypnotizability in a population of psychiatric inpatients and outpatients is reported. Hypnotizability was measured using the Hypnotic Induction Profile among 115 psychiatric patients who were diagnosed according to research diagnostic criteria. Hypnotizability scores were analyzed on the basis of psychiatric diagnosis and medication received. No significant effects on scores were found for antipsychotic or antidepressant medications, or lithium. However, those anxious patients receiving antianxiety agents obtained scores which were nearly significantly higher than those without such medication. These data suggest that among a seriously disturbed psychiatric population, the use of appropriate psychoactive medications does not hamper hypnotizability and in certain cases the treatment effect of the medication may indeed improve it.