entrancing relationships: exploring the hypnotic framework of addictive relationships

The central focus of this work is that partners entrance one another into enmeshed bonding through the euphoric idealization of perfect love. This idealization is found to serve as a hypnotic allure which, by its sheer luster, blinds partners to its perilous powers of manifest magnetism. The stages of hypnotic entrancement are delineated, starting with fantasy fixation of perfect love and its eventual demise.

Partners entrance one another into enmeshed bonding through the euphoric idealization of perfect love. This idealization is found to serve as a hypnotic allure which, by its sheer luster, blinds partners to its perilous powers of manifest magnetism. The stages of hypnotic entrancement are delineated, starting with fantasy fixation of perfect love and its eventual demise. The essential premise describes the addictive enmeshment as the result of consciously irresistible hypnotic pulls from entrancement, which involves a coming together or fusion of idealized images superimposed upon physical attributes of one’s partner. Partners merge their ideal images of love and beauty with the size, shape, contour, etc. of their mates, creating the entrancing, whirlwind addiction.

Numerous case examples are utilized in demonstrating a four-stage parallel between addictive bonds and hypnosis. Reawakening is described as coming of (en)trance(ment). Genuine awakening is the emergence of innate, artistic motifs inherent in partners, which can bring empowerment and recovery. This book is recommended for both academic and professional readers.

DON J. FEENEY, JR. is a clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of Psychological Consulting Services.