The essential aspect in the experience of the hypnotized person is the
altered or distorted perception that is suggested to him. Not all people
are capable of the experience, but it is possible that spontaneous
distortions occur in those with high hypnotizability. These distortions are
frequently experienced as frightening symptoms. The author draws attention
to the similarity between hysterical symptoms and events in hypnosis and to
the high hypnotic responsivity in hysterical subjects reported in the
clinical literature of the nineteenth century. Phobic patients have
relatively high hypnotic responsivity. The author believes that it is
sometimes possible to predict hypnotizability from clinical behavior, and
that hypnotic responsivity can be utilized in psychodynamically sensitive
therapy to teach such patients that they can learn to gain control of their
symptoms.
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