The use of hypnosis in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.

Promising research data, relating hypnotizability and the possible presence of a dissociative mechanism in bulimic individuals, stimulated the present authors to incorporate hypnosis in their directive and multidimensional treatment of bulimic patients. Important strategies and how and when they can be applied in the different phases of treatment are described. In many cases, hypnotherapeutic techniques may enhance the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral and interactional strategies in the treatment of bulimic patients. In other instances, the incorporation of hypnosis may help both the therapist and patient to discover new pathways to facilitate the therapeutic process.