Hypnotherapeutic Crisis Intervention in Multiple Personality

Abstract

The psychopathology of multiple personality disorder involves phenomena which are characteristic of altered states of consciousness. When these patients encounter crises, the clinician familiar with hypnosis is in an advantageous position both to assess their circumstances and to use his expertise to mitigate or resolve their difficulties. This paper describes the particular vulnerabilities of this group of patients, and reviews information pertaining to crises in a cohort of 62 cases. Experiences are summarized in which effective crisis interventions often involved hypnotherapeutic methods. These experiences indicate that the inclusion of hypnosis among the armamentarium of techniques available for crisis intervention in this group of patients is constructive and rarely has adverse effects. Note is made that the patients should be well-prepared for these procedures, which, optimally, should be done in a protected setting. Those with generalized severe ego weakness and/or strong masochistic traits require special precautions.