Sometimes all that is needed is to guide the patient in relaxation breathing as seen in the Video 1.16.1.

Video 1.16.1  Breathing Video

Imagery Principles

For patients to relax and let go of their anxiety, it often suffices to just guide them to enjoy a pleasant scene of their choice. Such pleasant imagery should be a complete in-body experience where the patient experiences the scene with all the senses. Distressing imagery should be moved as far away and as quickly as possible.

Elaborate good imagery

• Reinforce with all senses

• Have the patient fully immersed in scenario

• Can add metaphors of strength and resilience

  
  

Convert distressing imagery

• Move away, move out of body

• Have patient view from distance—make it disappear

• Change submodalities such as size, color—make less noticeable

• Change the meaning

• Convert into ally or good imagery if you can

Patients Presenting with Distressing Imagery

When patients are too anxious, they will not allow themselves to relax and anxiety conversion becomes necessary. If patients bring up distressing imagery on their own, it is best to first repeat exactly what they said (even if it is negative or scary!) to acknowledge that you heard them. For example if a patient tells you he feels “like a big piece of red meat with a butcher knife all the way through,” your answer shouldn’t be “So you are concerned about your surgery,” but “Hmm, like a big piece of red meat with a butcher knife all the way through.” Then after a short pause you could say “How about if you were to make it…” and start modifying the imagery.

Using the above principles of converting distressing imagery, please enter into the boxes below what you might suggest to the patients in R1.16.1 and R1.16.2 when use an image to illustrate how they feel. Let your imagination go free.

R1.16.1  What would you say to a patient on the operating room table who tells you: “I feel like vultures over me ready to get me.”

R1.16.2  What would you say to a patient with pancreatic cancer who describes how she feels as: “It’s like a stubborn mule kicking me in my back.”

• Session 1 Segments
  • 1.1 Welcome
  • 1.2 Introduction
  • 1.3 Confidence
  • 1.4 Science and Background of Comfort Talk
  • 1.5 Experiencing Confidence and Self-Hypnosis
  • 1.6 Rapport
  • 1.7 Sensory Preferences
  • 1.8 Sensory Preferences—Eyes
  • 1.9 The Study Script
  • 1.10 Hypnoidal Language
  • 1.11 Negative Suggestions
  • 1.12 Touching
  • 1.13 Comforting Words
  • 1.14 Encouragement
  • 1.15 Frank's Method
  • 1.16 Anxiety Management
  • 1.17 Ideomotor Signals
  • 1.18 Pain Management
  • 1.19 Pitfalls
  • 1.20 Conclusion Session 1
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