Abstract
The outcome and process of treating subclinical anxiety with self-hypnosis and relaxation were compared. Twenty individuals who presented for treatment for 'stress, anxiety, and worry' were assessed (for anxiety and self-hypnotizability), exposed to a 28-day treatment programme (which involved daily measures of outcome and process variables), and re-assessed (for anxiety). It was found that both self-hypnosis and relaxation alleviated anxiety pre-to post-treatment. Although there was no difference in the outcome data, throughout treatment self-hypnosis rather than relaxation was associated with a greater sense of treatment efficacy and expectation and with a greater sense of cognitive and physical change. The findings are discussed in terms of the expectational and experiential aspects of self-hypnosis, and their potential role in the perception, progress and impact of using self-hypnosis in therapy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 68-80 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Contemporary Hypnosis |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 2 |
Publication status | Published - 1999 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Anxiety
- Hypnosis
- Hypnotizability
- Relaxation
- Self-hypnosis
- Treatment efficacy