Can Hypnosis Help Psychosis?

Abstract

Ten questions are addressed from the scattered literature about hypnosis in the treatment of psychotic patients. Issues involve whether psychotic patients can be hypnotized, whether special induction techniques are necessary, whether special treatment techniques are necessary, whether hypnosis can be dangerous with psychotic patients, whether a special relationship is necessary, whether self-hypnosis is effective, whether the state of the illness is important, whether trance depth should be limited, whether there are any special problems with hypnosis with schizophrenics, and ultimately whether the use of hypnosis can help in the treatment of psychosis.

A case study is presented including a recorded abreaction of the results of preparation by hynotherapy for an anticipated psychotic episode, which actually occurred and responded successfully to hypnotherapy. The case is analyzed in terms of the 10 questions listed above and is found to be compatible with the information in the literature.