Tuesday 1 June 2010

Hypnosis and Recovered Memory

From Yahoo! Answers

Question
Make someone remember with hypnosis?
Is it possible to make someone remember a part of a trauma that he/she have experienced, but dont remember, with hypnosis?

Your Answer:
Hi Lindor

Yes, is the short answer.

But if the patient is not aware that it happened (which must be the case if hypnosis is required for them to remember it) then the therapist would not know to go looking for it.

It is possible that something might pop-up spontaneously in hypnosis, but in that case it might not be clear whether it was a recollection of an actual event or a confabulation (a sort of unintentional fabrication).

Also, bear in mind that memory is not stored like a video that can be replayed and remain dependably accurate. memory is stored in lots of little bits that have to get put back together again so all recollection is an act of reconstruction.

Revisiting traumas is not always either desirable or necessary. Where it is appropriate it should be possible to do it non-traumatically.

In terms of recovering memory generally I've helped people remember when they put their new shoes, their sister's wedding dress, a gun, their name, and a language (all of which have their own stories).

Best wishes

Barry Thain
Clinical Hypnotist
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