Gender Roles and Hypnosis

"Gender Roles and Hypnosis"

Pat Barker's Regeneration explores the internal struggles of WWI soldiers, and their attempts to overcome the trauma of war experiences. One way in which soldiers were treated for psychological trauma was with hypnosis. Hypnosis is introduced to the reader on page 51. In this particular scene, Billy Prior is attempting to convince Dr. Rivers of his specific need for hypnotherapy, in order to recall his repressed memories. By recovering these painful memories through hypnosis, Barker's male patients find themselves able to embrace emotions rather than repress them. Prior is one particular example of the need to alter masculine gender roles in order to embrace emotions and be healed, a theme present in Regeneration.

Hypnosis is derived from the Greek word hypnos, which means sleep ("Hypnotism"). However, the patient does not sleep during hypnosis. It has been described as a therapeutic method, which uses the "technique of inducement of trance, which is a state of semi-conscious relaxation, at the same time maintaining sensory contact with the environment" (Bernik). Hypnosis can produce various levels of perception, increased memory, increased attention and motor functions, and "higher intellectual functions" (Bernik).

Historically there have been many uses for hypnosis, as David Deegan describes. The most general is to relieve all types of physical pain. During hypnosis, many patients have described their physical pain as feeling closer to a warming sensation. Another use involves the treatment of diseases such as asthma and irritable colon. Hypnosis can also be used to control various impulses that can contribute to anorexia, obesity, chemical addictions, and sexual impulses. Finally, hypnosis can be used to treat phobias such as panic disorder and anxiety. It was widely used in this manner in WWI due to a shortage of psychiatrists, mostly for the treatment of physical pain, itching, anxiety, and the "restoring of repressed traumatic experiences which could them be dealt with and understood, helping soldiers come to terms with dreadful events" (Deegan). Coming to terms with traumatic events through hypnosis is a positive consequence of restoring memory.

Barker first refers to hypnosis and its assistance in restoring memory on page 51, where hypnosis represents proof of Prior's desire to be healed. Prior is arguing that he does in fact want to get better, but he does not agree with Rivers' psychoanalytic treatment. He claims he does not remember the latter part of his service in France, and he wants Rivers to try hypnosis so that he can recall his repressed memories.