Successful integrated hypnotic and psychopharmacological treatment of war-related post-traumatic psychological and somatoform dissociative disorder of two years duration (psychogenic coma)

Abstract

p. 182-189This report describes the treatment of Basile, a young African boy who slipped into what might best be described as a psychogenic coma with numerous additional dissociative features of two years' duration after having been kidnapped by bandits and witnessing the wounding and death of a friend who had been kidnapped with him. His treatment by a team of mental health professionals who used psychopharmacology, hypnosis in many forms, and a computer in connection with both hypnotic metaphors and the expressive potential of a graphics program is recounted. Despite profound and longstanding impairment, Basile was able to recover and resume his education. The authors conclude that such patients, despite their complexity and duration, may be accessible to a systematic and determined approach to therapy that mobilizes numerous resources and modalities on their behalf