Processing of an ambiguous time phrase in posttraumatic stress disorder: Eye movements suggest a passive, oncoming perception of the future

Abstract

Metaphorically, the future can be perceived as approaching us (time-moving metaphor) or as being approached by us (ego-moving metaphor). Also, in line with findings that our eyes look more up when thinking about the future than the past, the future's location can be conceptualized in upwards terms. Eye movements were recorded in 19 participants with PTSD and 20 healthy controls. Participants with PTSD showed downward and healthy controls upward eye movements while processing an ego/time-moving ambiguous phrase, suggesting a passive (time-moving) outlook toward the future. If replicated, our findings may have implications for the conceptualization and treatment of PTSD.