Modifying migraine headache through rational stage directed hypnotherapy: A cognitive-experiential perspective

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Abstract
Recent techniques designed to modify migraine headache have emphasized physiological modification via hypnosis only or biofeedback. Psychological factors have been identified as causal in many psychophysiological disorders such as migraine. The results of using rational stage directed hypnotherapy (RSDH) in the treatment of an individual suffering from severe migraine headaches are presented. RSDH, designed to attend to both physiological and psychological factors, is a cognitive-experientially based, stage directed, systematic psychotherapeutic regimen which uses hypnosis and hypnotic imagery to enhance the rational restructuring of negative cognitive, emotional, physiological and behavioral states. RSDH demonstrated superior effects over the hypnosis only treatment and baseline in reducing migraine hadaches. The client demonstrated improvement on both self-report measurement (frequency of migraine headaches) and objective test results (MMPI [Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory] and Tennessee Self-Concept Scale). In describing this case, particular attention was given to analyzing cognitive distortions via hypnotic imagery in a temporal framework. Analysis and restructuring of past traumatic events which were symbolically affecting the client''s current behavior were particularly significant aspects of the treatment process.

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