Does Hypnosis Treat Trauma

Research Question and Hypothesis

Research Question: Does hypnosis help treat trauma?

This paper examines whether hypnosis works in trauma treatment by enabling access to and re-elaboration of deeply repressed experiences of trauma and their accompanying emotions. Trauma leads to dreadful, long-term psychological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and stress; hypnosis has been promoted as an answer for the reduction of these symptoms through effective therapy of the trauma causes’ roots. The relevance of the research question to psychology is in its probable expansion of treatment options for people who were resistant to traditional therapeutic methods like cognitive-behavioural therapy and pharmacological treatments.

Hypothesis: By allowing access to the subconscious mind, hypnosis provides an effective method of treating trauma by enabling individuals to confront and process repressed memories with a view to reducing symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and chronic fear. This hypothesis postulates that hypnosis not only re-remembers traumatic experiences but also reinterprets them in ways that aid in reducing the pathology of a traumatic experience and facilitate emotional healing and recovery. However, the hypothesis acknowledges the use of hypnosis to bring about risks, especially in false memory formation.

Abstracts and Annotations

Acunzo, D. J., Oakley, D. A., & Terhune, D. B. (2021). The neurochemistry of hypnotic suggestion. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 63(4), 355–371. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2020.1865869

Abstract

This article examines the neurochemical functions of hypnotic suggestions and the extent to which highly hypnotizable persons are susceptible to suggestions that alter the activity of their limbic brain, specifically the emotional and memory centres of the cerebral cortex. This article focuses on the shifts in the level of some neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with the moderation of mood and memory (Acunzo et al., 2021). From analyzing the patterns of neural activity elicited by hypnosis, the authors propose that such brain changes may have clinical applications for traumatized patients.

Annotation

Acunzo et al. (2021) provide indications of how hypnosis can change the brain’s chemistry, thus adding to the knowledge of the application of hypnosis in trauma. They are connected to the research question and hypothesis because they demonstrate that hypnosis can affect memory and emotion, two of the critical areas of treatment of trauma. Nevertheless, this notably fills a gap in the biological rationale for why hypnosis could be helpful, in addition to the included empirically-based concept mapping studies like Gold and Quiñones (2020), which advanced a clinical application of hypnosis for complex trauma.

Compared to the other articles, Acunzo et al. (2021) go a little deeper into the scientific topic, whereas other sources, such as Elkins (2022) and Phillips et al. (2021), discuss possible scenarios in the clinic. This study supports the abovementioned hypothesis by further proposing that rewiring neurochemical pathways can lead to trauma healing, similar to changes in the neurological process mentioned in Phillips et al. (2021). However, one must remember that this article is entirely theoretical and experimental, and including recommended therapeutic activities in the practice requires further clinical testing.

Gold, S. N., & Quiñones, M. (2020). Applicability of hypnosis to the treatment of Complex PTSD and dissociation. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 63(2), 78–94. https://doi.org/10.1080/00029157.2020.1789546

Abstract

This article examines the application of hypnotic intervention in the management of Complex PTSD and dissociative disorders, particularly in the recall of repressed memories and the reduction of dissociative features. The authors examine instances When hypnosis assisted patients with trauma that plateaued with other methods of therapy like CBT. Also, the article explores the possibility of using hypnosis as a complementary treatment alongside conventional therapeutic practices to likely enhance clients’ trauma treatment and management (Gold & Quiñones, 2020).

Annotation

Gold and Quiñones (2020) shed light on the clinical use of hypnosis to treat complex PTSD and dissociative disorders that are in line with the research question as they present the clinical use of hypnosis in trauma treatment. Consequently, this study proved the hypothesis proposing that hypnosis assists traumatized Individuals in recalling and reinterpreting subconscious experiences, with a particular focus on participants with dissociative features. The findings of this article align with those of Acunzo et al. (2021) and Phillips et al. (2021), who look at how hypnosis can change memory functioning, but from a neurochemical and clinical standpoint. Compared to Elkins (2022), which provides an overview of hypnosis in various fields of medicine, Gold and Quiñones concentrate on specific diagnoses, including PTSD and dissociation; therefore, this study is highly relevant to the hypothesis about trauma. However, the shortcoming that may be noted is that there is no follow-up data for a more extended period, which makes it uncertain whether or not complex trauma patients may continue experiencing the benefits of hypnosis in the long run.

Palsson, O. S., Kekecs, Z., De Benedittis, G., Moss, D., Elkins, G. R., Terhune, D. B., Varga, K., Shenefelt, P. D., & Whorwell, P. J. (2023). Current Practices, Experiences, and Views in Clinical Hypnosis: Findings of an International Survey. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 23(2), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2023.2183862

Abstract

This global study targets practicing clinicians of clinical hypnosis and seeks to understand their occurrences, viewpoints, and practices. The sample focuses on the utilization of hypnosis for different illnesses, such as trauma and the variation in cultural perception and the healthcare model that determines its practice and acceptance by clients (Palsson et al., 2023). Altogether, it can be stated that hypnosis is used as a complementary treatment for trauma in the majority of the surveyed countries. However, its legal recognition depends on the cultural and institutional settings.

Annotation

In support of the hypothesis that hypnosis is a universal application of treatment for trauma, Palsson et al. (2023) present various views from across the world on the use of hypnosis in treating trauma patients. That way, this article allows for more comparisons to be made than the other bibliographies mentioned in this document, as it presents how hypnosis is practised across different nations, which is more comparable to the content offered by Gold and Quiñones (2020) that relates to hypnosis in clinical setup, especially in North America. A survey shows that hypnosis has been adopted across numerous countries for treating trauma, but cultural differences also affect its acceptance and adoption across health facilities. The review has some drawbacks, such as the absence of concrete examples of traumatic stress treatments and case-study information, which can provide the readers with more understanding regarding the effectiveness of the study. In comparing the present study with Phillips et al. (2021), which explains the neurological effects of hypnosis, this paper by Palsson et al. (2023) explores more of the practicalities and setting-acceptance of hypnosis in healthcare and, as such, will benefit from a more comprehensive reach

Phillips, W., Price, J., Molyneux, P. D., & Deeley, Q. (2021). Hypnosis. Practical Neurology, 23(4), practneurol-2020-002839. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2020-002839

Abstract

This paper describes the brain mechanisms underlying hypnosis and explores hypnosis in clinical practice. The authors explain how hypnosis affects the normal functioning of the brain in the areas of memory and perception; therefore, it can be used to treat traumatized patients. This discussion evaluates the effects of hypnosis on neurological patients, especially in regard to memory change and emotional perception, which are helpful in the treatment of trauma (Phillips et al., 2021).

Annotation

Phillips et al. (2021) add to the understanding of how hypnosis influences brain activity, thereby supporting the research hypothesis that hypnosis may help trauma survivors by modifying their memory and perception. This article can be read with the neurochemical perspective offered by Acunzo et al. (2021), although it has a more comprehensive approach to clinical hypnosis. In both articles, hypnosis is described as functioning about memory, supporting the hypothesis that it can be beneficial in the treatment of trauma. Phillips et al. (2021) do not only investigate hypnosis from a physiological point of view but also when compared to intellectual works such as Gold and Quiñones (2020) and their focus on PTSD and dissociation. However, the limitation of this article has to do with the fact that only neurological disorders have been discussed, and perhaps hypnosis has other roles in trauma medication.

Elkins, G. (2022). Clinical Hypnosis in Health Care and Treatment. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 70(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2022.2011112

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the role of clinical hypnosis in healthcare settings, focusing on its application for treating various psychological and physical conditions, including trauma. Elkins emphasizes how hypnosis can be used as part of a broader healthcare strategy, particularly when combined with other therapeutic approaches (Elkins, 2022). The article reviews the efficacy of hypnosis for pain management, anxiety reduction, and trauma recovery, offering insights into how it can be integrated into healthcare systems to provide comprehensive treatment.

Annotation

Elkins (2022) offers a comprehensive review of how hypnosis can be used within broader healthcare settings, directly supporting the research hypothesis by showing how hypnosis can be an effective adjunct therapy for trauma, anxiety, and pain management. Elkins’ (2020) findings complement those of Palsson et al. (2023), who also explore hypnosis in a healthcare context, but with a more global perspective. Both studies suggest that hypnosis can be an integral part of holistic healthcare strategies, particularly for trauma. However, Elkins (2022) focuses more on the integration of hypnosis into clinical settings, whereas studies like Gold and Quiñones (2020) focus on specific applications for dissociative trauma patients. A limitation of this study is its lack of long-term clinical data on the effectiveness of hypnosis in trauma recovery, making it less comprehensive than some of the other articles discussed here.

Wieder, L., Brown, R. J., Thompson, T., & Terhune, D. B. (2022). Hypnotic suggestibility in dissociative and related disorders: A meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 139(3), 104751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104751

Abstract

This meta-analysis deals with the connection between hypnotic suggestibility and dissociative disorders and, more specifically, the applicability of suggestibility for positive results for patients suffering from trauma-related disorders. The analysis considers research showing that people with high hypnotizable suggestibility respond better to hypnosis, especially those with psychotic-like features (Wieder et al., 2022). Besides, the article sheds light on the genetic and psychological basis of suggestibility.

Annotation

In support of this hypothesis that hypnosis is beneficial for patients with dissociative disorder, Wieder et al. (2022) provides a sound synthesis of the role of hypnotic suggestibility in determining the treatment’s effectiveness in trauma patients. In contrast to Gold and Quiñones (2020), this meta-analysis does offer a statistically more generalizable estimate of suggestibility and its outcomes across diverse types of traumas as Wieder et al. (2022)’s findings apply to Acunzo et al. (2021), who give insights into the biological influence of hypnotic suggestibility. The authors also support the idea that Wieder and his team focus more on psychological factors such as suggestibility. The weaknesses of this article are that a focus has been made on dissociation and hypnotic suggestibility to the exclusion of other factors. Hence, the results might not be generalizable to those patients who do not exhibit dissociative features. However, it serves as a valuable counterpoint to the narrow clinical investigations represented in this bibliography because it offers a comprehensive meta-analysis.

References

Elkins, G. (2022). Clinical Hypnosis in Health Care and Treatment. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 70(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207144.2022.2011112

Phillips, W., Price, J., Molyneux, P. D., & Deeley, Q. (2021). Hypnosis. Practical Neurology, 23(4), practneurol-2020-002839. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2020-002839

Wieder, L., Brown, R. J., Thompson, T., & Terhune, D. B. (2022). Hypnotic suggestibility in dissociative and related disorders: A meta-analysis. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 139(3), 104751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104751

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Question

PSY 510 Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric

Research Question, Hypothesis, and Annotated Bibliography

Overview
This assignment is another building block for the final project.

Prompt
In Module Four, you will submit a revised description of the research question and hypothesis (or hypotheses) that will guide your research. You will also submit an annotated bibliography of at least six peer-reviewed sources. For each article, you will need to provide full bibliographic information, the abstract, and a summary of the key findings of the article and how they relate
to your research question.

Does Hypnosis Treat Trauma

Your paper will include the following critical elements:

I. Create a testable research question based on previous research related to your chosen topic and a description of your research question’s relevance to the field of psychology. Make sure to address your instructor’s feedback from Milestone One, in which you submitted your preliminary research question.
II. Create a testable hypothesis based on your research question and research about the topic, explaining the extent to which the research supports your hypothesis.
III. Abstracts for at least six articles related to your research question and hypothesis. For the purposes of this assignment, it is acceptable to copy the abstract from each article and paste it into your paper. Each of the six articles should include the following elements:
a. Title and citation that follow proper APA format
b. Abstract
c. Annotation
IV. Annotations for at least six articles.
a. Your annotated bibliography should do the following for each article:
i. Evaluate the article and describe how it relates to the research question and hypothesis.
ii. Analyze how the article compares to other sources used in the bibliography using concrete examples.

How does this article relate to your other articles?
Do your other articles find the same outcomes?
Do other articles report different outcomes
How does this compare to your other five articles?

iii. Address the limitations of the articles and explain why these limitations matter.

What to Submit
Your paper must be submitted as an APA-formatted Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. You must provide citations, abstracts, and annotations for at least six peer-reviewed articles

Does Hypnosis Treat Trauma

Does Hypnosis Treat Trauma

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