International Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis - E-Lib FK UWKS

242 INTERNATIONAL HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS
inhibition due to the learning of inappropriate attitudes to sex may be changed
through the process of re-educating the inner child Araoz, 1982). Similarly parts
of the body or explicitly sexual anatomy may be transformed into objects of beauty
or at least into an acceptable or attractive form, as described earlier.
TREATMENT OF DISORDERS OF SEXUAL AROUSAL
MALE ERECTILE DISORDER
Crasilneck 1979, 1982) reported an extensive follow-up study of the application
of hypnosis to individual patients with erectile dysfunction. Direct suggestions of
®rm, hard erections can be of assistance, or metaphorical associations of erectile
®rmness may be suggested in indirect approaches. Suggestions of arm or ®nger
catalepsy may be transferred to erectile functioning Crasilneck & Hall, 1975;
Araoz, 1982; Hammond, 1990). Post-hypnotic suggestions of erectile ®rmness have
proved successful Crasilneck & Hall, 1975). Hypnotically assisted age regression
to a time of successful sexual functioning may be used Kroger & Fezler, 1976)
Hypnotically based desensitization and rehearsal of sexual success may aid in reestablishing
con®dence and the expectation of successful functioning. Hypnosis
may also be used to explore and accentuate past or present sexual fantasies which
may then be incorporated into contemporary sexual activity, either in reality with
the current partner or in fantasy during intimacy.
Gilmore 1987) describes the use of appropriate and carefully chosen metaphors
in the treatment of erectile disorder. Three metaphors designed to retrieve the resources
of hope, caring and competence are embedded and intertwined within each
other in the resolution of the con¯icts that prevent erections during intercourse.
FEMALE SEXUAL AROUSAL DISORDER
The diagnostic criteria of female sexual arousal disorder revolve around inability to
attain or maintain adequate sexual arousal, including vaginal vasocongestion,
lubrication and vaginal expansion to allow satisfactory sexual activity. This
disorder may manifest itself as a dyspareunia but is not classi®ed as such if arousal
dif®culties are the primary aetiology. The use of fantasy with or without masturbation
is an important strategy in the treatment of female sexual dysfunctions which
centre around insuf®cient arousal. By its nature hypnosis allows absorption in
fantasy and since in the hypnotic state a hypnotized subject may respond to fantasy
as if it were reality, hypnotic techniques provide good opportunities for rehearsal of
effective sexual functioning. Hammond 1990) provides some ideas about the
appropriate suggestions to use to enhance sexual arousal and encourage vaginal
lubrication. These strategies may be similarly applied in hypo-active desire
disorders, dyspareunia and anorgasmia. Detailed mental rehearsal of successful