Hypnotically induced pain control in sickle cell anemia

Abstract

Recurrent painful vaso-occlusive crises often represent sources of frustration and debilitation to those afflicted with sickle cell disease. We present two adolescents with sickle cell disease who have been able to gain control over the frequency and intensity of these crises by utilizing self-hypnosis. We feel that the utilization of similar technique(s) may allow many ill children and adolescents to obtain mastery over abnormal physiologic processes concomitant with their particular disease status.