The literature suggests that aspects of hypnotizability may be involved in the etiology and maintenance of self-defeating eating. However, interpretation of the published research findings has been complicated by the use of instruments that appear to have measured different or, at best, only related facets of the underlying constructs. This article reports relationships between weight, shape, dietary concerns, hypnotizability, dissociative capacity, and fantasy proneness. Implications for a key role for hypnosis in the treatment of eating behaviors, attitudes, and concerns are discussed.

This study investigates the role of hypnosis-like and imagery processes in the selfregulation of eating behavior. Eighty participants were assessed on measures of eating behaviour (EAT), body image (CDRS), trait measures of hypnotic ability (HGSHS:A) and imaginative ability (CIS) as well as process measures (ICMI, SIPI and PCI) spanning both domains. Imagination and hypnosis measures show distinct patterns of relationships with eating behaviour and body image measures. Results emphasize the importance of assessing process as well as trait or ability measures and the utility of the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) to this approach. Therapeutic implications are drawn for integrating hypnosis and imagination procedures in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) of eating disorders. Present findings should be confirmed in a larger sample and the emerging model tested utilizing Structural Equation Modelling.