International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis - E-Lib FK UWKS

TREATMENT OF SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS 239
the orgasmic response earlier in the arousal cycle. Such a distortion of perceived
time is then generally carried over into an alteration of actual time in the sexual
situation, most likely as a result of anxiety reduction, attitude and cognitive change
and sexual rehearsal of effective functioning.
AGE REGRESSION AND AGE PROGRESSION
Age regression may be used in the form of the affect bridge of Watkins 1978) to
take the patient back to the ®rst experience of the inhibiting or traumatic affect that
is interfering with sexual functioning. Regression may also be used to take the
patient back to a time of adequate sexual functioning, if such a time existed prior to
the onset of the sexual dysfunction. Such an approach encourages expectation of
successful sexual functioning, assists in systematic desensitization and in sexual
rehearsal of successful intimacy. Lastly, regression techniques may assist in
exploring the emotional basis of the sexual dif®culties, with the understanding that
information obtained may not represent a factual account of past events. The
dangers of the false, confabulated or suggested memory need to be considered in
this context.
Age progression of the patient beyond the current dif®culties to successful sexual
functioning is a similar method of producing satisfactory results.
CATALEPSY
Just as glove anaesthesia may be transferred to a pain site, so catalepsy may be
transferred to the penis in males with erectile dif®culties and to clitoral erection in
women with orgasmic dif®culties. Arm catalepsy transferred to the penile response
has been reported by Crasilneck & Hall 1975) in a controlled study, and was
successful in 80% of patients. Araoz 1982) similarly used the transfer of ®nger
catalepsy concurrently with suggestions of penile catalepsy in treating erectile
dif®culties.
PHYSIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
Direct and indirect suggestions designed to elicit appropriate components of sexual
arousal, such as the warm healthy natural forces of life radiating throughout the
body leading to vaginal muscle relaxation or lubrication at the early stages of
arousal, or waves of warmth and muscle tension at the later stages, can also be
helpful in assisting sexual responsiveness.
HYPNO-ANALGESIA AND ANAESTHESIA
With sexual overarousal leading to premature ejaculation and in rare instances
premature female orgasm, genital sensitivity to arousal may be reduced using