'Waxing and Waning' vs. Trance

• Agoraphobia with Panic Disorder by E.J.White, 10/6/98
  • Individualize by Stephen Lankton, 10/6/98
    
    

A hypothesis: the agoraphobic person considers 'waxing and waning'as a transition state, moving to another plane. True or untrue, considering there is a higher degree of intellect and a great ability to communicate what is being felt? I would say: true

Also--the agoraphobic individual reports 'knowing in advance' when something may trigger a panic response and claims to be able (at times) to go into a mental state to counteract the physical symptoms attributed the the syndrome if there is enough 'warning time'.

The patient claims to 'go deep' and feel certain emotions and acts out on them in ways that may seem misdirected, but in the long-run claims that they bring a degree of 'centeredness, balance and harmony'.

Couldn't this be a form of individualizing, an attempt to take greater control of panic disorder, even to a degree where self-trance is being used? The individual claims that hypnosis is an option only if it is singularly focused on one aspect of the disorder. For agoraphobia with panic disorder, the individual has opted for hypnosis that would focus specifically on sexuality and is adamant about this approach.

How much control should the therapist give the person in designing his/her own treatment options?

• Learn with clients you understand by Stephen Lankton, 10/8/98