All my postings are general comments, and must not be construed as treatment instructions for any specific individual. Should you choose to consider any of my suggestions, you must first consult your own physicians before exploring them.
I do not find hypnosis useful while the client is having a panic attack or a flashback. However, hypnotic trance practice can be useful as a grounding exercise.
If you have had an experience of being in a hypnotic trance, you can easily go back to a trance by just remembering what it was like, how you felt, the last time you were in a trance. In other words, there is some truth in the saying that “all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.”
People who have severe PTSD or Panic Attacks all have forgotten what it feels like to feel comfort in their body. It is good to remind them so that they can set that up as a goal in their practice.
Grounding Exercise: Do it while you are not having a panic attack or a flashback. The more you practise grounding, the better you are equipped for coping with the next flashback. One useful self-hypnotic practice is to first choose a private place, such as in your room. After locking your door sit down, close your eyes, and imagine walking down a flight of stairs. Slowly and with each breath, go one step down. At the end of ten steps, you will find a door, through which you can enter a state of deep relaxation. You can imagine, for example, being suspended in mid-air resting on air-cushions. If you wish to be more relaxed, go down another flight of stairs. The most important thing to remember is to take your time, walk down slowly, with each exhalation. GO SLOW! Once there, stay and enjoy the peace and quietness.
Flashbacks: One aspect of DID is the PTSD suffered by some of the alters. PTSD is similar to Panic Attacks in that once turned on, the anxiety is fed into a vicious cycle. It gets energized and stuck in a closed feedback loop. Forget trying to relax, it does not work to try to force relaxation. To get out of the cycle, one has to take over the control of one’s body. For example, start doing 10 push-ups. What happens when you do 10 push-ups? Your heart rate probably goes up beyond the heart rate produced by your panic. If not, you do another 10. Then sit down and notice your body settling down to a comfortable state. It will on its own.
If you have had an experience of a hypnotic trance, it will make it easier if you remember what it feels like to be in a comfortable and relaxed situation. Notice I don’t say try to relax, but just notice the inevitable relaxation after 10 push-ups.
Alternatively, instead of doing 10 push-ups, you can go have a shower. You can have a hot shower, then turn off the hot water and let the cold water shock you a little. In Finland people go into a hot sauna and run out to roll in the snow, so why not?
Instead of a shower, you can go out and walk briskly or run around the block. Take the initiative to find a way that is uniquely helpful to you. The natural state of calmness and ease that results from these grounding exercises will show you that you are master of your body. This mastery helps you to overcome the flashbacks and panic attacks.
