Recently at an online forum for professional hypnotists there was a playful discussion about creating a new diagnostic term for a person who is fearful of hypnosis and being hypnotized.

Would such a person be labeled a hypnophobe? Would they be suffering from hypnophobia?

Although hypnosis has the potential to solve problems of mind and body in a very quick and powerful way, it still frightens many people.

How might a medical reference book handle this topic?

Hypnophobia: a condition marked by the irrational fear of being hypnotized as well as the inability to relax and let go while imagining a happier and healthier future.

Prevalence: hypnophobia is most often encountered in adults; these individual are also frequently diagnosed with advanced hardening of the attitudes as well.  

Diagnosis: to be diagnosed as hypno-phobic the patient must display at least one of the following symptoms:
-Fear of losing control and acting out inappropriate suggestions.
-Unfounded concerns regarding the disclosure of personal secrets while hypnotized.
-Excessive worries about being unable to exit the hypnotic state.

Causes: hypnophobia is largely caused by misinformation as the portrayals of hypnotism in cartoons, movies and TV programs are often highly inaccurate.

Complications: people with hypnophobia forego a safe and effective method of creating a happier and healthier life. As a result they often experience higher than normal levels of unhealthy stress and pessimism as well as an increased susceptibility to having solvable problems longer than necessary.

Treatment and Prognosis: with education and by experiencing the deep and pleasant relaxation often associated with hypnosis, many hypnophobia patients can make a full and lasting recovery; becoming better able to make desired changes in their lives.