Are there dangers attributable to hypnosis in therapy?
From the earliest days of the use of hypnosis in the therapeutic context, dating from the work of the Marquis of Puysegar in 1784 there has been considerable concern regarding the potential for adverse effects. Numerous authors have discussed these in the therapeutic context. According to Stanley the purported adverse effects of hypnosis have included deepening depressive reactions, the precipitation of panic episodes and of psychotic disorders. There are, however, dissenting views on this among these Yapko who has maintained that hypnosis may only pose risks if incorrectly utilised. MacHovec estimated the risk factors at 25% in the clinical setting, 31% in the experimental setting, and 33% as a result of stage performances. Take this item from a recent British newspaper which reports on a suit for £250,000 against a stage hypnotist.
