MAY 2008, VOLUME 36, NUMBER 2, Abstract 7
SPONTANEOUS AND INDUCED ABREACTION
Eugen Hlywa, Clinical psychologist in private practice
It has been said by many researchers and clinicians that very occasionally they encounter a unique case in which fairly rare hypnotic phenomena are demonstrated. In this historical review, the differences between a spontaneous and an induced abreaction are articulated through the use of two different case studies. The first (spontaneous) was very uncharacteristic, as the patient had not verbalised, nor did she describe any content of the trauma in hypnotic and/or conscious state. This poses an interesting question about the validity of a concept of the “talking cure.” The second case, of (induced) abreaction, demonstrates the potential of hypnotic techniques in the psychotherapeutic process and highlights the value of the therapist’s acquaintance with particular theories of personality.