NO LEVEL OF CHILD EGO IS IMMUNE TO THE REVERSE SET DOUBLE BIND WHILE IT IS IN PLAY
by Milton H. Erickson M.D
NO LEVEL OF CHILD EGO IS IMMUNE TO THE REVERSE SET DOUBLE BIND WHILE IT IS IN PLAY
by Milton H. Erickson M.D
This constituted a reverse set double bind: He asked for something he was not sure he really wanted.
It was refused.
Therefore, he was bound to want it, since he could now do so safely.
In the ensuing conversation, however, his interest was maintained at a high pitch and his attention was rigidly fixated, as he was told earnestly and intently that he could grow one long fingernail. He could take infinite pride in getting it long enough to constitute a satisfying bite. At the same time he could frustrate himself thoroughly by nibbling futilely at the tiny bits of nail on the other nine digits.
Although no formal trance was induced, his high response attentiveness indicated he was in what we might call "the common everyday trance" that is brought on by any absorbing activity or conversation.
This light trance suggestion was reinforced by the measure of arousing him with casually irrelevant remarks and then repeating the instructions.
What is the purpose of this measure?
When you casually repeat suggestions in the awake state right after they heard them in trance the patient says to himself, "Oh, yes, I know that already, it's okay."
In saying something of this sort to himself the patient is actually taking the first important step toward internalizing and reinforcing the suggestion as an aspect of his own inner world. It is this internalization of the suggestion that makes it an effective agent in behavior change.
Many months later the patient returned to display normal fingernails on each hand. His explanation, while uncertain and groping, is adequately descriptive of the effect of the double bind.
He explained, "At first I thought the whole thing hilariously funny, even though you were serious in your attitude. Then I felt myself being pulled two ways. I wanted 10 long fingernails. You said I could have one only and I had to end up by biting it off and getting a 'real mouthful of fingernail.' That displeased me but I felt compelled to do it and to keep gnawing at my other fingernails. That frustrated me painfully.”
“When the one fingernail started growing out I felt pleased and happy, I was more resentful than ever at the thought of biting it off but I knew I had agreed to do so. I eventually got around that by growing a second nail - that left eight fingers to gnaw on and I wouldn't have to bite the second long one off.”
“I won't bore you with the details. Things just got more confusing and frustrating. I just keep on growing more nails and nibbling on fewer fingers, until I just said 'to hell with it!' That compulsion to grow nails and nibble nails and to feel more frustrated all the time was just unbearable. Just what were the motivations you put to work in me and how did it work?"
Now, more than eight years later, he is well-advanced in his profession, he is well-adjusted, a personal friend and he has normal finger nails. He is convinced that the writer used hypnosis on him to some degree because he still remembers a "peculiar feeling as if I couldn't move when you were talking to me."
What the heck is a Double Bind?
How will I know one if I hear one?
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The transformation of your world (when you were not looking)
