The Use of Indirect Hypnotic Suggestions for Insomnia Arising from Generalized Anxiety: A Case Report

Abstract

This case report concerns an aggressive, independent, and financially successful businessman who suffered with insomnia within the context of generalized anxiety disorder. The hypnotherapy included indirect suggestions for the insomnia delivered through the vehicle of metaphorical stories designed as an indirect intervention for the generalized anxiety. The client's perception of the problem was clarified and respected, but the choice of intervention strategy was designed to indirectly suggest more global changes. The creative changes made by the client were positive and enduring at 2-year follow-up.

The E2R (Emotion, regression, repair) method: A case study of this new pragmatic hypnotherapy technique

“…To go back to the origin of this emotion, the therapist suggests going back to a much younger Marie. "That's good, but it's not at 9…”

“…Many hypnotic approaches to treat psychological disorders have already been described and researched in insomnia [1][2][3]. Classic hypnotic techniques of relaxation suggestions [4][5][6] and sleep suggestions [7][8][9] are frequently used. Suggestions of pleasant experiences [10], thermal sensation arousal [11,12], visualization of a safe place [13,14], and number-counting focus [6,15] are also offered to insomniac patients.…”