A Novel Hypnotic Intervention for the Treatment of Ornithophobia. A Case Study.

This case study explores the successful treatment of severe ornithophobia in a 25-year-old woman, referred to as Emma, through a novel hypnotic intervention that integrates mindfulness and autogenic training. Emma's chronic fear of pigeons had significantly impacted her professional life. The Severity Measure for Specific Phobia-Adult (SMSP-A) was used to assess her level of phobia pre- and post-intervention, as well as at a 6-month follow-up. Emma's hypnotizability was measured using the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale - Form C (SHSS:C). Following a single hypnotic session, Emma experienced accidental physical contact with a pigeon. This incident activated the resourcefulness response elicited during hypnosis, leading to an instant healing of her phobia. This positive outcome not only persisted but showed further improvement at follow-up. Additionally, Emma resumed her university studies and overcame her driving phobia. These findings suggest that the intervention was efficacious in treating Emma's ornithophobia and promoting her overall personal growth. The study provides a comprehensive account of the intervention and discusses its implications for treatment.