Can Hypnosis Bring Back Repressed Childhood Abuse Memories?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDissociationSpontaneous Recall of AbuseCan Hypnosis Bring Back Childhood Memories?Regression TherapyHypnosis and Survivors of Childhood Abuse

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Dissociation

Spontaneous Recall of Abuse

Can Hypnosis Bring Back Childhood Memories?

Regression Therapy

Hypnosis and Survivors of Childhood Abuse

At a GlanceResearch has not proven that hypnosis helps people recover forgotten or repressed childhood memories of trauma or abuse. However, some forms of hypnotherapy may help people who are experiencing mental health symptoms

At a Glance

Research has not proven that hypnosis helps people recover forgotten or repressed childhood memories of trauma or abuse. However, some forms of hypnotherapy may help people who are experiencing mental health symptoms

If you have challenges in adulthood, you may wonder if there were traumatic experiences from your childhood that you have forgotten orrepressed.For example, couldsexual abusehave occurred, but the memory was blocked out? You may worry that what you can recall is incomplete. Remembering some events and considering them from an adult’s perspective might be confusing or uncomfortable.

If you are a victim of child abuse or know someone who might be, call or text theChildhelp National Child Abuse Hotlineat1-800-422-4453to speak with a professional crisis counselor.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are a victim of child abuse or know someone who might be, call or text theChildhelp National Child Abuse Hotlineat1-800-422-4453to speak with a professional crisis counselor.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Not being able to clearly remember something from your life can be frustrating and distressing. If you are reflecting on your childhood and asking yourself, “Was I sexually abused?”, you may worry that you’ll never know the truth.

In this article, we’ll talk about traumatic memories and the claims that hypnosis can help people recover them.

Hypnosis: Types, Uses, Impact, Pitfalls

Memory and Dissociation

Not everyone forgets or dissociates from trauma. For some people, distressing memories come up regularly and can be extremely disruptive and distressing. Bothdissociationand intrusive memories are features ofpost-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD).

Some people who may have forgotten trauma later recall memories of abuse.The memories can come up in therapy or get triggered when a person’s physical or emotional state changes, which could include hypnosis. However, recalling abuse can also happen even if a person is not undergoing therapy.

A person who spontaneously recovers memories of abuse might be able to verify what happened to them. Knowing the truth may give them relief and help them understand themselves better.

However, not all memories are clear and easy to interpret. For some people, trying to find evidence to confirm that their memories are accurate proves impossible and leads to negative relationships with family members.

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Abuse

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness. Sometimes, memories can be more easily accessed when someone is under hypnosis.However, hypnosis is also a state in which the mind is open to imagination. When a person is under hypnosis, it’s virtually impossible to tell whether a recalled incident of childhood abuse is a memory of a real event or a fantasy.

Techniques like hypnosis claim to be able to help people access forgotten or repressed memories. Many hypnotherapists even claim that people can recall past lives under hypnosis. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

The nature of memory as a process of reconstruction is well-established. Many people mistakenly believe that memory works like a video camera, recording everything that happens in a person’s life exactly as it happened—but memory is not that accurate. Instead of a camera, memory is more like a scrapbook. Individual memories are pieced together with bits of sensory experience along with interpretation and fantasy.

Under hypnosis, people are very open to suggestion.In fact, suggestibility is key to how hypnosis works. Sometimes,false memoriesof abuse are inadvertently “planted” while a client is under hypnosis.

However, that does not mean thateveryonewho recalls childhood abuse in adulthood is imagining it or thatallhypnotherapists deliberately feed clients false memories of abuse. However, if you do not have memories of child abuse, it’s important to understand that hypnosis is not a reliable method of finding out if you experienced it.

Sibling Sexual Abuse Facts Every Parent Should Know

Regression Therapy and Hypnosis

Proponents of the practice believe that being in a relaxed state allows people to tap into forgotten or repressed traumatic events that are affecting their current mental state or behavior. By processing what happened to them in the past, a person may understand how these experiences are affecting their present life. Working through the memories and emotions of past experiences can help a person heal and focus on the future.

There are two types of regression therapy:

Regression therapy is controversial, in part because there is not enough evidence to say whether it’s possible to repress and later recover traumatic memories.

The Debate Over Repressed and Recovered Memories

How Hypnosis Can Help Survivors of Childhood Abuse

Even though experts agree that hypnosis is not useful for doing personal “detective work” to uncover the truth about your past, that doesn’t mean hypnosis is without benefit for people who have experienced trauma.

Certain forms of hypnotherapy can be effective for some people who have symptoms of PTSD.The practice can help survivors restructure memories of abuse to give them a greater sense of control, as well as address painful emotions such as self-blame.

Hypnosis is most powerful when it’s focused on creating positive changes in a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors for the future. Techniques like relaxation and guided imagery can help a person feel calm and centered, which can get them in a better emotional place to face their triggers in everyday life.

Who Should Not Do Hypnosis?Hypnotherapy is not right for everyone.The ability to use and benefit from hypnosis varies, and people with certain mental health conditions like dissociative disorders, seizures, active substance use disorder, and psychotic disorders may not be able to safely undergo hypnotherapy.

Who Should Not Do Hypnosis?

Hypnotherapy is not right for everyone.The ability to use and benefit from hypnosis varies, and people with certain mental health conditions like dissociative disorders, seizures, active substance use disorder, and psychotic disorders may not be able to safely undergo hypnotherapy.

What Is Child Abuse?

Summary

If you or a loved one is considering hypnosis or regression therapy, seek a skilled mental health professional. You need to make sure that working through painful memories is done safely and with care.

Mental Health Effects of Different Types of Abuse

19 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MacIntosh HB, Fletcher K, Collin-Vézina D.“As time went on, I just forgot about it”: Thematic analysis of spontaneous disclosures of recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse.Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. 2016;25(1):56-72. doi:10.1080/10538712.2015.1042564van Huijstee J, Vermetten E.The dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder: research update on clinical and neurobiological features. In: Vermetten E, Baker DG, Risbrough VB, eds.Behavioral Neurobiology of PTSD. Vol 38. Springer International Publishing; 2017:229-248. doi:10.1007/7854_2017_33Englehard IM, McNally RJ, van Schie K.Retrieving and modifying traumatic memories: Recent research relevant to three controversies.Curr Dir Psyc Sci. 2019;28(1):91-96. doi:10.1177/0963721418807728Hammond DC.Defining hypnosis: an integrative, multi-factor conceptualization.Am J Clin Hypn. 2015;57(4):439–444. doi:10.1080/00029157.2015.1011496Haley J.Hypnotic seminar.Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2015;63(4):469–476. doi:10.1080/00207144.2015.1062705Lynn SJ, Laurence JR, Kirsch I.Hypnosis, suggestion, and suggestibility: an integrative model.Am J Clin Hypn. 2015;57(3):314–329. doi:10.1080/00029157.2014.976783McGeown WJ, Mazzoni G, Vannucci M, Venneri A.Structural and functional correlates of hypnotic depth and suggestibility.Psychiatry Res. 2015;231(2):151-159. doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.11.015Williamson A.What is hypnosis and how might it work?Palliative care. 2019;12:117822421982658-117822421982658. doi:10.1177/1178224219826581British Psychological Society.False memories of childhood abuse.Cleveland Clinic.Holistic psychotherapy.Andrade G.Is past life regression therapy ethical?J Med Ethics Hist Med. 2017;10:11.Otgaar H.The return of the repressed: the persistent and problematic claims of long-forgotten trauma. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2019. Doi:10.1177/1745691619862306Otgaar H, Howe ML, Dodier O, et al.Belief in unconscious repressed memory persists.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2021;16(2):454-460. doi:10.1177/1745691621990628Lynn SJ, Malakataris A, Condon L, Maxwell R, Cleere C.Post-traumatic stress disorder: cognitive hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and acceptance-based treatment approaches.Am J Clin Hypn. 2012;54(4):311–330. doi:10.1080/00029157.2011.645913PTSD UK.How solution focused hypnotherapy can help people with PTSD.O’Toole SK, Solomon SL, Bergdahl SA.A meta-analysis of hypnotherapeutic techniques in the treatment of PTSD symptoms.J Trauma Stress. 2016;29(1):97-100. doi:10.1002/jts.22077França, G.Hypnotherapy.Pascall, R.Hypnotherapy: possible contraindications.NHS.Hypnotherapy.

19 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MacIntosh HB, Fletcher K, Collin-Vézina D.“As time went on, I just forgot about it”: Thematic analysis of spontaneous disclosures of recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse.Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. 2016;25(1):56-72. doi:10.1080/10538712.2015.1042564van Huijstee J, Vermetten E.The dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder: research update on clinical and neurobiological features. In: Vermetten E, Baker DG, Risbrough VB, eds.Behavioral Neurobiology of PTSD. Vol 38. Springer International Publishing; 2017:229-248. doi:10.1007/7854_2017_33Englehard IM, McNally RJ, van Schie K.Retrieving and modifying traumatic memories: Recent research relevant to three controversies.Curr Dir Psyc Sci. 2019;28(1):91-96. doi:10.1177/0963721418807728Hammond DC.Defining hypnosis: an integrative, multi-factor conceptualization.Am J Clin Hypn. 2015;57(4):439–444. doi:10.1080/00029157.2015.1011496Haley J.Hypnotic seminar.Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2015;63(4):469–476. doi:10.1080/00207144.2015.1062705Lynn SJ, Laurence JR, Kirsch I.Hypnosis, suggestion, and suggestibility: an integrative model.Am J Clin Hypn. 2015;57(3):314–329. doi:10.1080/00029157.2014.976783McGeown WJ, Mazzoni G, Vannucci M, Venneri A.Structural and functional correlates of hypnotic depth and suggestibility.Psychiatry Res. 2015;231(2):151-159. doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.11.015Williamson A.What is hypnosis and how might it work?Palliative care. 2019;12:117822421982658-117822421982658. doi:10.1177/1178224219826581British Psychological Society.False memories of childhood abuse.Cleveland Clinic.Holistic psychotherapy.Andrade G.Is past life regression therapy ethical?J Med Ethics Hist Med. 2017;10:11.Otgaar H.The return of the repressed: the persistent and problematic claims of long-forgotten trauma. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2019. Doi:10.1177/1745691619862306Otgaar H, Howe ML, Dodier O, et al.Belief in unconscious repressed memory persists.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2021;16(2):454-460. doi:10.1177/1745691621990628Lynn SJ, Malakataris A, Condon L, Maxwell R, Cleere C.Post-traumatic stress disorder: cognitive hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and acceptance-based treatment approaches.Am J Clin Hypn. 2012;54(4):311–330. doi:10.1080/00029157.2011.645913PTSD UK.How solution focused hypnotherapy can help people with PTSD.O’Toole SK, Solomon SL, Bergdahl SA.A meta-analysis of hypnotherapeutic techniques in the treatment of PTSD symptoms.J Trauma Stress. 2016;29(1):97-100. doi:10.1002/jts.22077França, G.Hypnotherapy.Pascall, R.Hypnotherapy: possible contraindications.NHS.Hypnotherapy.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

MacIntosh HB, Fletcher K, Collin-Vézina D.“As time went on, I just forgot about it”: Thematic analysis of spontaneous disclosures of recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse.Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. 2016;25(1):56-72. doi:10.1080/10538712.2015.1042564van Huijstee J, Vermetten E.The dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder: research update on clinical and neurobiological features. In: Vermetten E, Baker DG, Risbrough VB, eds.Behavioral Neurobiology of PTSD. Vol 38. Springer International Publishing; 2017:229-248. doi:10.1007/7854_2017_33Englehard IM, McNally RJ, van Schie K.Retrieving and modifying traumatic memories: Recent research relevant to three controversies.Curr Dir Psyc Sci. 2019;28(1):91-96. doi:10.1177/0963721418807728Hammond DC.Defining hypnosis: an integrative, multi-factor conceptualization.Am J Clin Hypn. 2015;57(4):439–444. doi:10.1080/00029157.2015.1011496Haley J.Hypnotic seminar.Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2015;63(4):469–476. doi:10.1080/00207144.2015.1062705Lynn SJ, Laurence JR, Kirsch I.Hypnosis, suggestion, and suggestibility: an integrative model.Am J Clin Hypn. 2015;57(3):314–329. doi:10.1080/00029157.2014.976783McGeown WJ, Mazzoni G, Vannucci M, Venneri A.Structural and functional correlates of hypnotic depth and suggestibility.Psychiatry Res. 2015;231(2):151-159. doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.11.015Williamson A.What is hypnosis and how might it work?Palliative care. 2019;12:117822421982658-117822421982658. doi:10.1177/1178224219826581British Psychological Society.False memories of childhood abuse.Cleveland Clinic.Holistic psychotherapy.Andrade G.Is past life regression therapy ethical?J Med Ethics Hist Med. 2017;10:11.Otgaar H.The return of the repressed: the persistent and problematic claims of long-forgotten trauma. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2019. Doi:10.1177/1745691619862306Otgaar H, Howe ML, Dodier O, et al.Belief in unconscious repressed memory persists.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2021;16(2):454-460. doi:10.1177/1745691621990628Lynn SJ, Malakataris A, Condon L, Maxwell R, Cleere C.Post-traumatic stress disorder: cognitive hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and acceptance-based treatment approaches.Am J Clin Hypn. 2012;54(4):311–330. doi:10.1080/00029157.2011.645913PTSD UK.How solution focused hypnotherapy can help people with PTSD.O’Toole SK, Solomon SL, Bergdahl SA.A meta-analysis of hypnotherapeutic techniques in the treatment of PTSD symptoms.J Trauma Stress. 2016;29(1):97-100. doi:10.1002/jts.22077França, G.Hypnotherapy.Pascall, R.Hypnotherapy: possible contraindications.NHS.Hypnotherapy.

MacIntosh HB, Fletcher K, Collin-Vézina D.“As time went on, I just forgot about it”: Thematic analysis of spontaneous disclosures of recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse.Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. 2016;25(1):56-72. doi:10.1080/10538712.2015.1042564

van Huijstee J, Vermetten E.The dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder: research update on clinical and neurobiological features. In: Vermetten E, Baker DG, Risbrough VB, eds.Behavioral Neurobiology of PTSD. Vol 38. Springer International Publishing; 2017:229-248. doi:10.1007/7854_2017_33

Englehard IM, McNally RJ, van Schie K.Retrieving and modifying traumatic memories: Recent research relevant to three controversies.Curr Dir Psyc Sci. 2019;28(1):91-96. doi:10.1177/0963721418807728

Hammond DC.Defining hypnosis: an integrative, multi-factor conceptualization.Am J Clin Hypn. 2015;57(4):439–444. doi:10.1080/00029157.2015.1011496

Haley J.Hypnotic seminar.Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2015;63(4):469–476. doi:10.1080/00207144.2015.1062705

Lynn SJ, Laurence JR, Kirsch I.Hypnosis, suggestion, and suggestibility: an integrative model.Am J Clin Hypn. 2015;57(3):314–329. doi:10.1080/00029157.2014.976783

McGeown WJ, Mazzoni G, Vannucci M, Venneri A.Structural and functional correlates of hypnotic depth and suggestibility.Psychiatry Res. 2015;231(2):151-159. doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.11.015

Williamson A.What is hypnosis and how might it work?Palliative care. 2019;12:117822421982658-117822421982658. doi:10.1177/1178224219826581

British Psychological Society.False memories of childhood abuse.

Cleveland Clinic.Holistic psychotherapy.

Andrade G.Is past life regression therapy ethical?J Med Ethics Hist Med. 2017;10:11.

Otgaar H.The return of the repressed: the persistent and problematic claims of long-forgotten trauma. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2019. Doi:10.1177/1745691619862306

Otgaar H, Howe ML, Dodier O, et al.Belief in unconscious repressed memory persists.Perspect Psychol Sci. 2021;16(2):454-460. doi:10.1177/1745691621990628

Lynn SJ, Malakataris A, Condon L, Maxwell R, Cleere C.Post-traumatic stress disorder: cognitive hypnotherapy, mindfulness, and acceptance-based treatment approaches.Am J Clin Hypn. 2012;54(4):311–330. doi:10.1080/00029157.2011.645913

PTSD UK.How solution focused hypnotherapy can help people with PTSD.

O’Toole SK, Solomon SL, Bergdahl SA.A meta-analysis of hypnotherapeutic techniques in the treatment of PTSD symptoms.J Trauma Stress. 2016;29(1):97-100. doi:10.1002/jts.22077

França, G.Hypnotherapy.

Pascall, R.Hypnotherapy: possible contraindications.

NHS.Hypnotherapy.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?