The Withheld Eye-Roll Sign

Abstract

Within the context and the assumptions of the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP), the eye-roll sign is understood to indicate a stable biologically based measure of potential hypnotic capacity. Serendipitous observations seemed to suggest that the eye-roll sign underwent significant changes in 14 particular patients. On exploration of these patients' subjective experiences, it was discovered that certain patients associated the eye-roll with incipient dyscontrol and consciously withheld a full and accurate response. In others, such withholding occurred as a conversion symptom. Furthermore, some patients were aware of the implications of the eye-roll and made efforts to represent themselves as unhypnotizable by withholding a full eye-roll. No genuine changes in eye-roll signs were noted. Clinical illustrations are offered and discussed.