Abnormal Reactions

Abnormal reaction from hypnotized subjects are rare, but if you are using hypnosis extensively, there is always a possibility of encountering one of them. The only sure safeguard against any of these examples happening is to have a complete physical, mental and life history on every one of your clients. Of course this is impossible, therefore, your only alternative is to be able to recognize these abnormalities and know how to cope with them.

EMOTIONAL OUTLET

Hypnosis produces a natural emotional outlet. A subject may be perfectly normal until hypnotized. Then may begin to toss and turn or exhibit other unusual signs. While in a normal waking state, the subject has control over these idiosyncrasies, but in hypnosis the emotions are turned loose. Avoid working with this client if he continues to react negatively.

SUPPRESSED EMOTIONS

An example of this would be when a client is placed in hypnosis and begins to cry...for no apparent reason. Usually something very depressing has happened to the client in the near past, like a death in the family. This subject holds his emotions in check until hypnotized, when he lets his guard down and lets out his suppressed emotions. Allow the client to go ahead and cry.. .and tell him that it is good to let these suppressed emotions out. After a few minutes tell the subject to stop crying... and just relax. Continue with the session only if your client wishes to.

ABREACTIONS

Are traumatic episodes brought out by suggestion. They occur when a subject begins to cry, scream or becomes hysterical only AFTER SUGGESTION HAS BEEN GIVEN. This is common when age regressing a subject who has had an unpleasant childhood or a traumatic experience in the past.

An abreaction can also be caused by suggesting a scene closely related to that of a traumatic event. For example... a suggestion was given to a woman that she was relaxing and sunning on the beach when some dark clouds appeared. The clouds covered the sun, the wind picked up, and it began to rain. The suggestion, seemingly harmless, was given to produce hot and cold sensations. Instead, the subject immediately began to cry. Her crying stopped after she was instructed to forget the suggestion and just relax. It was later discovered she had subconsciously recalled a similar situation when she was a little girl playing on the beach with her friends. Only then, along with the rain and dark clouds was lightening, which killed her girlfriend. This whole experience was completely forgotten and only after much questioning was she able to consciously remember any traumatic event ever happening.

ARTIFICIAL TRAUMATIC EVENTS

Can be created by giving improper suggestions, ie., being chased by a beast, having a truck pull out in front of you while driving at high speed etc. You may enjoy watching your subjects reaction, as with stage hypnosis, but in a clinical environment it is unethical. The subject would probably refuse further suggestions and there would be the possibility of physical damage to the client. These techniques should not be used under any circumstances.