Re: Post surgery symptom (psychosomatic?)

Dana,

I am studying Milton Erickson and hypnosis but do not have any medical/clinical experience which you should continue to locate as a resource for your questions. My suggestions are based on my personal library and studies.

You may find some of the following books useful:
Volume II of the Collected Papers of MHE edited by Rossi titled Hypnotic alteration of Sensory, Perceptual and Psychophysiological Processes.
The Seminars, Workshops and Lectures of MHE, Vol 1 Healing in Hypnosis, Vol III Mind Body Communication, Vol IV Creative Choice in Hypnosis.
Ernest Rossi has also written a book on Mind-Body connection.
Check out erickson-foundation.org and also zeigtucker.com

You said in your message "she was only able to achieve"..."she did not reach somnambulism, so regressing to the surgery was not possible then. She was resistant to going very deep."

From your statements I was left with the following questions which are only offered for your reflection:

1. Did she seek you for help? If so, specifically what?
2. What DID she acheive during trance? That may be more useful than what she didn't.
3. Does she want / need to regress to surgery?
4. Did she want / need to go into deep trance?
5. Was the level of trance deep for her?
6. In what other ways can you use/respond to what you had labeled as resistance to help her acheive what she wants?
7. Is there any significance for the client for the sound being a "747"? Is the sound always around or just during certain times? Is the 747 taking off, landing, idling, quieting down?
8. My brother-in-law was a pilot, and he said you could tell a lot by listening to the engine of a plane. What is your client's engine trying to tell her?
9. The metaphorical fun you and your client can have with plane imagery is ripe; for your client's sake, utilize it well. (Assuming she doesn't have any phobias about opening the small bags of pretzels the airlines give out now.)

If you and your client have reported the surgery accurately, it comes as no suprise she was hesitent to going deep into trance. I suspect she "went under" for her brain surgery after which she is experiencing hearing problems. One only needs to burn one's hand on the stove top once to learn not to touch a hot stove again. She may have generalized her previous experience as well as being told by other doctors that her current hearing sounds have no physical basis. (the implication by omission that it's all in her head has many, many, many, many layers that may be useful to explore).

My final words of encouragement are to not be in such a hurry to help your client that you don't. It sounds like you are both off to a good start and that she's given you a lot to work with.

Have fun, and safe landing!

Joe

Replies:

Re: Post surgery symptom (psychosomatic?), by Dana, 2/1/00

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