Use of a Drawing Task in the Treatment of Nightmares in Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatment of nightmares in two Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was conducted comparing a drawing task with a writing task. Our hypothesis is that the isomorphism between visual imagery and the visual modality of nightmares may provide a more effective means of transforming and integrating the traumatic material into normal cognitive schemas. In a 12-week intervention in which drawing and writing were alternated, both subjects reported reduction in frequency and intensity of their nightmares in the drawing condition. This study provides support for more extensive study of art therapy methods in post-traumatic stress disorder.