Prevention and therapeutic management of "negative effects" in hypnotherapy.

Abstract

For more than half a century of hypnosis research (MacHovec, 198813;Schultz, 1922), there have been disquieting reports of so-called "negative effects" during and after hypnosis: unwanted or untoward reactions that degrade hypnotic involvement or eventuate in deleterious psychological sequelae. The spectrum of reported negative effects has encompassed minor complaints such as headaches, dizziness, or nausea (Coe & Ryken, 1979); serious reactions such as psychosis (Kleinhauz, Dreyfuss, Beran, Goldberg, & Azikri, 1979) or suicide (West & Deckert, 1965); transient symptoms lasting only a few minutes (MacHovec, 1987); and chronic conditions lasting for months (Kleinhauz & Beran , 1984). The range of negative effects includes physical pain or discomfort (Hilgard, 1974); anxiety or panic (Judd, Burrows, & Dennerstein, 1985); depression (Kleinhauz & Eli, 1987); difficulties in awakening from hypnosis (Orne, 1965); and unexpected reactions to an inadvertently given suggestion (Levitt & Hershman, 1963). MacHovec ( 1988a) suggested the following definition of hypnosis "complications": "unexpected, unwanted thoughts, feelings or behaviors during 95

Does hypnosis pose special risks for negative effects? A master class commentary

“…Frauman, Lynn, and Brentar (1993) have noted that the following situations in the clinic, and occasionally in the experimental setting, demand particular care and vigrlance to minimize or manage negative reactions.…”

“…Of course, abreaction~, when managed with skill and sensitivity, can have enormous therapeutic benefit. Techniques for promoting a positive experience of age regression are described elsewhere (Frauman et al, 1993), but the dictum "never treat anything with hypnosis that you are not trained or equipped to &at in nonhypnotic therapy" is an indispensable hedge against unmanageable reactions.…”

Identifying Hypnotic Sequelae: The Problem of Attribution

“…The fact that attribution (or misattribution) of effects presents a major problem is highlighted by the following statements of Frauman, Lynn, and Brentar (1993): "The lack of association with hypnotizability, along with the finding that these effects are equally likely following mundane nonhypnotic procedures, suggests that they are not produced by or limited to hypnosis. However, the timing of their occurrence may lead subjects and experimenters to misattribute them to hypnosis" (p. 100).…”

Indonesian Society’s Perception of Hypnotherapy Compared to Other Types of Psychotherapy: A Potential and Challenge

“…There is agreement among professionals and researchers that hypnosis has potential risks if done without appropriate skills. [29][30][31] Although the acceptance and use of hypnosis have grown over the last few years, the possible harmful risks that hypnosis abuse can pose to patients still exist. The potential risk of harm to the patient is due to the practice of an unlicensed Hypnosis therapy techniques are associated with potential risks if not applied properly by an expert.…”