ad the least bit of difficulty in
awakening himself from the self-induced hypnotic state._

I have had persons tell me that they heard or read of a case where the
hypnotist could not bring the subject out of the hypnotic state, and, as
a result, the subject slept for so many days. Not one of the stories
could be documented. Years ago, for publicity purposes, stage hypnotists
would have a subject sleep in a store window for several days. This was
on a voluntary basis, though, and should not be confused with what we
are discussing.

In working with subjects, I have _very rarely_ had a subject who did not
awaken at a specific count, but I have had this experience. I have
usually found that the subject is so relaxed that he just didn't want to
awaken for fear of losing this pleasant sensation. When the subject
doesn't awaken, I merely ask him in a calm manner, "Why don't you wish
to wake up? You can answer me without awakening from the hypnotic
state." He usually replies he'd like to remain in this state for another
five minutes or so. I agree to this extended period while getting a firm
commitment from him that he will awaken after this period. This is
usually sufficient to bring the subject out of the hypnotic state.

Occasionally, the instructions to wake up are not clear to the subject.
If this is the case, clearer instructions should be given. You could
also deepen the hypnotic state and then give suggestions to awaken at a
specific count in a very authoritarian manner. Every so often, I have
found that the subject has fallen into a natural sleep and just hasn't
heard the instructions. In this case I raise my voice which is usually
sufficient or gently shake the subject awakening him as you would any
sleeping person.

I would like to relate a rather interesting experience that I had with a
male subject. I had worked with this particular subject six times
previous to this occasion. He was a good hypnotic subject, and he failed
to awaken in the usual manner. Since he had carried out several
posthypnotic suggestions, it was rather perplexing to analyze what had
happened. After about ten minutes, he finally agreed while he was under
hypnosis to awaken at a given count. I asked him what was the nature of
the difficulty. He replied, "I wanted to see how you would react."

In conclusion, having difficulty in dehypnotizing yourself is extremely
rare. Should it happen, _keep calm_, and repeat the suggestions with
emphasis.