[Therapeutic hypnosis in geriatrics. Medical, psychological and sociologic considerations on aging]

The outstanding features of pathological and physiological senescence are examined. Hypnosis therapy of pathological senescence is excluded on the basis of a series of psycho-organic data. It is recommended in physiological senescence in view, partly, of the failure of psychoanalysis and standard psychotherapy noted by several authorities. Hypnosis and the relationship established with the hypnotist facilitates the implanting of useful therapeutic suggestions and conditioning tending to improve the patient's insight into himself and his environment. Hypnosis also rapidly creates a psychological and somatic relaxation which encourages the calming of anxiety and the improvement of somatovisceral conditions. The main inductive techniques and the major therapeutic recommendations are mentioned.