Hypnotic imagery rehearsal in the treatment of nightmares: a case report.

This case report discusses a patient who experienced frequent nightmares and chronic low-level anxiety during his 3 1/2 year imprisonment. He developed post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), in part because he adamantly insisted that he had been wrongfully incarcerated. The literature supports the use of hypnotic imagery rehearsal for treating nightmares that stem from PTSD. Due to the patient's distrust of others and trauma history, it was uncertain whether hypnotic intervention would be effective. It is of note, there is no indication in the literature that hypnosis has been used with people on parole, let alone individuals who believe they were wrongly accused of committing a crime.