Treatment of hysterical aphonia with hypnosis and prokaletic therapy.

A patient with chronic refractory hysterical aphonia was treated by prokalesis (challenge) and hypnosis within a psychotherapeutic relationship. A temporary remission was achieved but this was followed by subsequent relapse. This report illustrates the therapeutic effectiveness of prokaletic techniques. It also emphasises that these potent interventions are unlikely to achieve abiding change unless they are applied within the context of a longer-term relationship with a clinical team.