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Biomedical subjects

F H Frankel

Publications and source records attributed to F H Frankel.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Hypnotizability and dissociation.

The author describes the multidimensionality of hypnosis itself and hence of hypnotizability. He also points to the lack of clarity regarding the concept of dissociation and the extent to which its roots lie in the clinical experience of hypnosis. The concept of dissociation increasingly preempts repression and other defense mechanisms in current nosological thinking. The author cautions against equating hypnotizability scores with dissociative capacity and advocates a clearer elaboration of the concept of dissociation. Meanwhile, restraint in the use of the term "dissociation" is recommended.

Dissociative Disorders↗
PubMed1978

Treatment of anxiety: a comparison of the usefulness of self-hypnosis and a meditational relaxation technique. An overview.

We have investigated prospectively the efficacy of two nonpharmacologic relaxation techniques in the therapy of anxiety. A simple, meditational relaxation technique (MT) that elicits the changes of decreased sympathetic nervous system activity was compared to a self-hypnosis technique (HT) in which relaxation, with or without altered perceptions, was suggested. 32 patients with anxiety neurosis were divided into 2 groups on the basis of their responsivity to hypnosis: moderate-high and low responsivity. The MT or HT was then randomly assigned separately to each member of the two responsivity groups. Thus, 4 treatment groups were studied: moderate-high responsivity MT; low responsivity MT; moderate-high responsivity HT; and low responsivity HT. The low responsivity HT group, by definition largely incapable of achieving the altered perceptions essential to hypnosis, was designed as the control group. Patients were instructed to practice the assigned technique daily for 8 weeks. Change in anxiety was determined by three types of evaluation: psychiatric assessment; physiologic testing; and self-assessment. There was essentially no difference between the two techniques in therapeutic efficacy according to these evaluations. Psychiatric assessment revealed overall improvement in 34% of the patients and the self-rating assessment indicated improvement in 63% of the population. Patients who had moderate-high hypnotic responsivity, independent of the technique used, significantly improved on psychiatric assessment (p = 0.05) and decreased average systolic blood pressure from 126.1 to 122.5 mm Hg over the 8-week period (p = 0.048). The responsivity scores at the higher end of the hypnotic responsivity spectrum were proportionately correlated to greater decreases in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.075) and to improvement by psychiatric assessment (p = 0.003). There was, however, no consistent relation between hypnotic responsivity and the other assessments made, such as diastolic blood pressure, oxygen consumption, heart rate and the self-rating questionnaires. The meditational and self-hypnosis techniques employed in this investigation are simple to use and effective in the therapy of anxiety.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1978

Hypnosis and related clinical behavior.

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.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Hypnotizability and phobic behavior.

Hypnotizability ratings of 24 phobic patients interested in the therapeutic use of hypnosis were compared with those of an equal number of smokers keen to quit smoking through hypnosis. The mean Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale score of phobics was 8.08 on a 12-point scale. The mean of smokers was 6.08. The difference was significant beyond the .01 level (two-tailed). Thirty percent of smokers were essentially nonresponsive. No phobics were nonresponsive. Those with multiple phobias scored more highly than those with a single phobia. These findings are in accord with the view that among psychiatric patients whose hypnotizability is assessed in a treatment context, hysterics are most responsive. The implications both for theory and for a specific treatment strategy are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Reasoned discourse or a holy war: postscript to a report on ECT.

The author points out that both favorable and unfavorable opinions regarding the value of electroconvulsive therapy have become entrenched in the absence of adequate data. These opinions are discussed in relation to the training, experience, and personal orientation of the psychiatrist. The inability of some psychiatrists to tolerate uncertainty is held responsible for their denial of the validity of alternative methods of treatment. The author recommends that psychiatrists tolerate a certain amount of ambiguity and uncertainty: postponing closure may lead to the conclusion that treatment styles (including use of psychotherapy and ECT) are not mutually exclusive.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1975

Hypnosis as a treatment method in psychosomatic medicine.

Recent research findings are used to illustrate the areas of uncertainty and controversy in the understanding of hypnosis. Despite similarities, hypnosis is presented as more than and different from relaxation, suggestibility, and the placebo response. An overview of the clinical use of hypnosis includes the three main methods of application, namely: relaxation or mild hypnosis, symptom removal, and hypnotherapy. A few brief case reports are included. As a means of narrowing the gap between laboratory research and clinical experience, the author recommends the assessment of hypnotizability in all patients treated with hypnosis.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗