Hypnosis in the treatment of hypnopompic hallucinations: A case report
American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 1984 DOI: 10.1080/00029157.1984.10402866 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A client with frightening hypnopompic hallucinations |
| Intervention | Hypnotic suggestions |
| Key findings | Hypnotic suggestions, including re-experiencing the imagery in deep relaxation and direct suggestion, stopped the hypnopompic hallucinations, although the neuro-physiological arousal response appeared to persist. |
Abstract
The short-term treatment of frightening hypnopompic hallucinations by hypnotic suggestions is described. The client re-experienced the hallucinated imagery in a deep state of hypnotically induced relaxation, such that the fearful aspect of these images would be reciprocally inhibited. In later hypnosis sessions, it was suggested that the client no longer have hypnopompic hallucinations. Although there appeared to be a continuation of the neuro-physiological arousal response associated with the imagery, the hallucinations stopped.