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Hypnosis is being used in the treatment of cancer, helping to moderate metastases
and reduce side-effects commonly associated with traditional treatment regimes
(Levitan, 1992). There is evidence that the progression of the HIV disease process
can be slowed with the reduction of anxiety (Bradley, 1991). Additionally, hypnosis is
being used with HIV and AIDS to increase T-cell production and reduce the severity
of opportunistic infection (Rossi, 1986; Rossi and Cheek, 1988).
This paper discusses the possible uses of these crisis states to effect change in
clients recently diagnosed as HIV-positive or those with the diagnosis of AIDS.
Although a state of physical homeostasis will never be realized (there is no cure at
this time), a state of emotional homeostasis, or perhaps even a state preferential to
that of one encountered prior to the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, may be achieved. These
crisis states can be utilized to mobilize resources that the client may not be aware of.
Theoretical background
Crisis is defined as a response to hazardous events and is experienced as a painful
state (Kaplan and Sadock, 1991). It is enlightening to note that the Chinese
ideogram for crisis is made up of the characters for man and opportunity. A crisis
state tends to mobilize powerful reactions to help the person alleviate the discomfort
and return to the state of emotional equilibrium (Aguilera and Messick, 1990) that
existed prior to the advent of the crisis. Brown (1990) suggests that AIDS represents
the ultimate stage of the crisis matrix, beginning with the first symptoms or with the
detection of HIV antibodies in the blood. This crisis matrix is defined as the period
during which the individual is likely to experience a series of crises. A number of cri-
sis points in the AIDS illness spectrum and scenarios that demonstrate the process
of moving through the crisis matrix range from first symptoms to preparation for
death. With the HIV spectrum disease the individual will never return to the state of
physiological homeostasis that existed prior to seroconversion.
If the individual is unable to resolve the crisis and uses maladaptive reactions, the
painful state will intensify, the crisis will deepen and the condition exacerbates itself.
With the HIV/AIDS spectrum disease, this becomes a self-perpetuating cycle. With
the advent of each symptomatic episode, individuals see themselves in a more and
more grave crisis. The increased stress and tension further exacerbate the condition,
which in turn further debilitates the immune system’s ability to combat the host of
opportunistic infections that follow. Bodily sensations can be reframed to allow the
physician to be more in control and the patient to feel more involved in the treatment
process (Blankfield, 1991; Chaisson, 1991, Finkelstien, 1991; Greenleaf, 1992). This is
critical for the patient who is feeling out of control as their immune system ceases to
function properly. Patients can achieve a sense of participation in their therapy as
they begin to use self-hypnosis to regulate their physiological and psychological sta-
tus, manage pain and stress and to prepare for surgeries.
HIV disease
The HIV/AIDS spectrum disease has multiple sequelae. Apart from the emotional
consequences, which will be covered at a later point, there are many physiological
and neurobiological variables that need to be considered when dealing with the
patient in an AIDS/HIV crisis.
Physiologically, the patient may present with a broad array of complaints.
Pneumocystis carinii
pneumonia and other opportunistic infections are frequently so
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