Multiple Personality, Allied Disorders and Hypnosis [Hardcover]

Eugene L. Bliss (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195036581 | ISBN-13: 978-0195036589 | Publication Date: February 6, 1986 | Edition: 1

Since the time of Mesmer, in the late eighteenth century, spectacular feats of hypnosis have been documented by respected scientific researchers, yet hypnosis has remained divorced from the main body of science. In this groundbreaking work, Dr. Eugene Bliss shows that the hypnotic capability of the mind is important to the theory and practice of psychiatry, and suggests that it deserves much more attention and research. In Multiple Personality, Allied Disorders and Hypnosis, Bliss explores both the nature of multiple personality and hypnosis, and discusses how an understanding of the latter can provide insight into the nature of certain psychiatric disorders. For instance, he views multiple personality as a form of self-hypnosis, an instance of learned schizophrenia rather than an organic disorder, as is generally thought. He outlines the trace elements involved in multiple personality and other psychiatric disorders, provides a fascinating history of the origins and current ideas about hypnosis, and gives a detailed account of the use of hypnosis in the treatment of multiple personality. Based on thirty years of clinical experience, and filled with insightful personal observations, Multiple Personality, Allied Disorders and Hypnosis is an informative, fascinating book for psychiatrists, psychologists, and anyone intrigued by hypnosis and its possible beneficial use.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An extremely readable, enjoyable work that presents a controversial approach to the diagnosis and treatment of a group of disorders characterized by multiple personality....I recommend this book to psychiatrists and other mental health professionals who have maturity, flexibility, and scientific curiosity."--The New England Journal of Medicine

"Of immediate and substantial help....The wealth of clinical material...includes vivid firsthand accounts from patients....Therapists who are not aware that they are treating patients with multiple personality disorders may be properly alerted or enlightened."--Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic

"Written in an interesting and easily followed style, the book has many helpful tables that summarize in a concise manner large amounts of information."--Choice

"Stimulating and provocative...Dr. Bliss is an entertaining writer who frequently uses interesting quotations....Dr. Bliss has produced a well-written book that should strengthen scientific acceptance of the concepts of hypnosis and multiple personality."--American Journal of Psychiatry

"Rarely does one find a scientific monograph so well balanced and so well written. It is obvious that Bliss knows his clinical subject matter and presents it in an engaging manner...A consummate text." --The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease

"[Contains] a comprehensive summary of the theory, many vivid and interesting clinical vignettes, a thoroughly referenced summary of the literature on hypnosis and multiple personality, and useful recommendations for treatment...Should be purchased by persons who are interested in hypnosis and in research on and treatment of multiple personality. The book will also be interesting to anyone with a psychodynamic orientation."--Contemporary Psychology

"Stimulating and provocative....A well-written book that should strengthen scientific acceptance of the concepts of hypnosis and multiple personality."--American Journal of Psychiatry

"An important book for anyone interested in hypnosis and mental illness. Thorough, well-written, and full of absorbing material, I recommend it strongly.... Prepare to be enormously stimulated." --British Journal of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis

"Bliss makes an extremely important contribution. . .helping us to more ideally treat a larger proportion of our patients." --Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy

"Eugene Bliss has been a major contributor to the broadening of our understanding of issues, from multiplicity as a seemingly rare and dramatic phenomenon to implications which may ultimately lead us to recognize and treat many more disorders more effectively, recognizing more of them as dissociative in nature. . . .an extremely important contribution. --Bookscope

About the Author

Eugene L. Bliss is at University of Utah.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (February 6, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195036581
• ISBN-13: 978-0195036589
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #61 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Schizophrenia

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars interesting, September 26, 2002

By 

Chris Orren "Chris" (Miami Beach, FL, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Multiple Personality, Allied Disorders and Hypnosis (Hardcover)

Historical information about hypnosis, and a theory about self-hypnosis and multiple personality disorder.