Hypnotic illusions and clinical delusions: Hypnosis as a research method

Abstract

Introduction. Hypnosis is not only intrinsically interesting, but it can be used instrumentally as a powerful tool to investigate phenomena outside its immediate domain. In focusing on instrumental hypnosis research, we first sketch the many contributions of hypnosis across a range of areas in experimental psychopathology. In particular, we summarise the historical and more recent uses of hypnosis to create and explore clinically relevant, temporary delusions.

Methods. We then describe in detail the steps that hypnosis researchers take in constructing a hypnotic paradigm to map the features and processes shared by clinical and hypnotic delusions, as well as their impact on information processing (including autobiographical memory). We illustrate with hypnotic versions of mirrored-self misidentification, somatoparaphrenia, alien control, and identity delusions.

Results. Finding indicate that hypnotic analogues can produce compelling delusions with features that are strikingly similar to their clinical counterparts. These similarities encompass phenomenological features of delusions, delusional resistance to challenge, and autobiographical memory during delusions.

Conclusions. We recognise important methodological issues and limitations of such hypnotic analogues, including: indexing response (behaviour vs. experience), alternative explanations (e.g., social compliance), the need for converging data, the need for close and continuing dialogue between the clinic and the laboratory, and generalisability of the findings.

Keywords:

• Hypnosis
• Delusions
• Confabulation
• Hypnotic analogues

Acknowledgements

The preparation of this manuscript and the research reported in it were supported by a Macquarie University Research Fellowship to RC and by funding to AB from the Australian Research Council (Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship, Australian Research Fellowship, Discovery-Project Grant) and Macquarie University (MQRDG). We are grateful for that support. We would like to thank Lisa Bortolotti, Chris Moulin, and Martha Turner and for their comments on an earlier version of this manuscript.