Medical Hypnosis

The psychosomatic entities in ophthalmology, otolaryngology and rhinology which are amenable to hypnotherapy include hysterical blindness and deafness, globus hystericus, aphonia, dysphonia, and certain types of disphagia. Most resemble conversion hysteria reactions. A psychogenic component has also been recognized in tinnitus, glaucoma, and blepharospasm, and this is only some of what you will find below.

When a symptom has a minimal defense function, it is readily removed with hypnosis, especially if the physical discomfort is severe and a hysterical makeup is present. This is not surprising, since most psychosomatic symptoms involving the eyes, the ears, the nose, and the throat are brought about by harmful suggestions and disturb the normal functioning of the individual.

Hypnosis, together with re-education, reassurance, support, directive measures, and persuasion are necessary if relapses occur. Often the symptom is needed for sympathy, absolution of guilt, escape from intolerable situations, denial of aggression, or the necessity for manipulating the environment (secondary gains).

Relapses occur if the individual is unable to adjust to her environmental difficulties and continues to overreact to anxiety-provoking tensions. Refusal to recognize that the symptom represents a reaction to unpleasant circumstances (which only mobilized inner conflicts) also can result in a relapse. Likewise, when the symptom provides vicarious gratification for sexual and hostile impulses, it often returns, especially if authoritative hypnosis is used for its dissolution.
These difficulties can be avoided if autohypnosis and sensory-imagery conditioning are incorporate in a permissive approach. These, together with understanding, give the individual the capacity to face her difficulties without resorting to regressive behavior, repression, and the resultant symptom formation.

Ophthalmology
It has been speculated upon that hypnosis might produce relaxation of the cornea so as to allow it to assume a more rounded shape, thus reducing astigmatism.
The effects of hypnotic suggestion in relieving myopia have been reported. Subjects with the poorest acuity did the best.

With glaucoma, hypnotic suggestion for relaxation effected symptomatic relief, with a drop in the intraocular pressure in one or both eyes to a level as low as, and often even lower than, previously recorded pressures. Post hypnotic suggestions directed toward specific symptom removal resulted in fewer headaches, less tearing, more relaxation and sleep, and less pain.

Hysterical blindness is a conversion reaction to unpleasant circumstances which stimulate inner conflicts. Clinically, the condition resembles genuine blindness except that remissions and exacerbations may occur spontaneously. Hysterical blindness often can be successfully treated by hypnosis without the necessity of employing a formal hypnotic induction technique.

Hypnosis can be used as an auxiliary to orthoptic therapy. In squint amblyopia, and muscular disturbances involving loss of accommodation, hypnosis can shorten treatment and is less exhausting for the patient.

Surgery of the eye under hypnosis is still practiced in India for cataract removal.

Involuntary blinking movement of the eyelids are related to tics. Ambrose states: “The treatment of tics is an extremely unsatisfactory matter and there appears to be only one therapeutic measure which has any direct effect upon them, namely, hypnosis.”


Otology
Direct post hypnotic suggestions can be used for hysterical tinnitus. Hypnosis, limited specifically to the reduction of tension, is often a potent tool. Hypnoanalysis has been used to evaluate the conflicts and the anxieties underlying tinnitus to establish personality integration.

Hysterical and hypnotically induced deafness are similar in that there is no hearing loss. Hypnotherapy can be effective for abnormal hearing difficulties which are believed to be psychogenic in origin.


Laryngology
There are many kinds of speech and vocal conditions that are refractory to therapy. Nervous individuals who make their livings by using their voices are the ones generally affected. Platonov described how three or four hypnosuggestive sessions cured opera singers of “footlight neuroses”.

Dentistry
Hypnosis is used to control or eliminate the gag reflex. Generally a light stage is sufficient.


Rhinology
Hypnosis has been used to control severe epistaxis. There are innumerable reports from dentists who contend that bleeding can be stopped and started by hypnotic suggestion.

Vasomotor rhinitis is astonishingly susceptible to emotional factors in its production and its dissolution. The common cold often responds to hypnosis.

Genito-Urinary Conditions
Hypnotherapy has been used to treat selective cases of postoperative retention of urine, premature ejaculation, impotency of the male, dysuria, ureteral spasm, and chronic bladder irritation.

Pseudo-orientation in time can help emotional repercussions that might be expected with male or female sterilization. Hypnorelaxation indirectly may have an important bearing on female infertility, as the fertilizing capacity of the sperm is possibly affected by stress factors.

Oncologic conditions
There are several reports indicating that hypnosis diminishes the need for narcotic drugs, lessens the ill-effects of x-rays, and reduces discomfort following radiation therapy. Together with empathy and positive reinforcing suggestions, it decreases the patient’s shock upon learning that he may have cancer. Improved mental attitudes, motivation, and relaxation in cancer patients have been attributed to hypnosis. Successful management of pain and suffering often depend more on the rapport and reduction of anxiety than on the hypnotic depth.

Kroger has treated a number of cancer patients in various stages using hypnosis. He has noted that about 20 percent can control their discomfort and another 40 percent can drastically reduce the need for narcotic drugs. Another advantage is that narcotic drugs can be held in abeyance. Even when the disease progresses, there often is no need for addictive pain-killing drugs. since the tolerance for such drugs has not been increased, smaller doses, if necessary, can be employed. Many patients can live in relative comfort and peace of mind until the disease becomes terminal.

Simonton’s techniques are used to improve mental attitudes in his radiation therapy patients as well as pointing out to the patient that the body has natural defenses against cancer. He has incorporated techniques aimed at inculcating positive attitudes and bolstering the will to live. His basic tools are meditation or self hypnosis exercises which give the patient greater control over the ability to relax. He also shows the patient how to use the meditative state for instilling positive suggestions via positive imagery. Simonton maintains that the cancer patient should grasp the concept that he can influence the immune mechanisms and realize that the mind can powerfully alter the development and course of the disease.

For more hypnotic help in these areas visit our Health and Healing product pages, or email to dr_frank@hypnoticadvancements.com

Mailing address:
Dr. Frank Valente Ph.D.(c)
Hypnotic Advancements
3126 McCarthy Court
Mississauga , ON
Canada L4Y-3Z5

© 2004, Dr. Frank Valente Ph.D.(c)

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