Depth Reversal During Termination of the Hypnotic State

There seems to be a general impression that alteration of hypnosis depth is unidirectional without qualification during termination procedure. If there have been observations to the contrary, they have not been stated specifically and clarified adequately in the literature on hypnosis. The focus of attention in this paper is on depth of hypnosis during termination procedure rather than on problems encountered in bringing the hypnotic state to a close. The latter issue has been discussed in detail recently by Rosen (1) and by Williams (4).

When giving instructions or supplying a signal intended to terminate a hypnotic state, the subject generally responds with such termination and it appears to the operator that a gradual reduction has occurred from a particular level of depth through successive lighter stages and finally to emergence from the hypnosis. The rapidity involved may vary from an apparently instantaneous response to a more graded response, the time factor varying with the nature of termination procedure and intention of the operator, and the individual reactions and needs of the subject. I have found in practice that what actually occurs frequently with many subjects is rather different. Some subjects will indeed have a subjective experience of gradual reduction in depth. For others, there is an impression of sudden termination. There are subjects, however, who experience a feeling of depth reduction followed by deepening of the hypnosis. The depth will then lessen again, and finally they will emerge from the hypnosis. This constitutes what could be called a biphasic reaction. I have observed this reaction in the type of termination that would involve counting numbers from one to five. The time consumed during this count may vary from five to twenty seconds. I would alter the time factor to allow for different requirements of subjects Some ask specifically for slower termination because they feel more comfortable this way. The implications of the request v