LIBRI DI RENZO BALUGANI

Substance use disorders are described in the light of a physiopathological framework, in which great importance is recognized to the subjective meaning given to the substance of use, and in which socio-cultural factors as well exert influences. A treatment approach derived from this model is proposed in a critical way, focused on key factors such as agency, control and awareness; a viable declination of these factors in an ericksonian perspective is offered. In order to exemplify the theoretical concepts, a clinical case is presented.

There is growing neurophysiological evidence about the sensorimotor basis of language and concept formation, as theorized by the cognitive linguistics. Conceptual metaphors and their use in the everyday language are discussed, emphasizing both on their universality and their variations in the pathological population. Arguments about the close link between hypnosis and metaphor are given; the opportunity of diagnosing the particular use of metaphors in the particular patient is suggested, in order to build-up a more effective intervention in the practice of ericksonian psychotherapy.

Recent proceedings of neuroscience about phenomena as perception, action and imagery are discussed. In each of them, a form of neural simulation is involved, which lead us both to a revisitation of the classical knowledge about brain functioning, and to interpret the mechanisms underlying some physiological and pathological manifestation of human behaviour. Lastly, the implications of such concepts in the practice of hypnotic psychotherapy are discussed, leading us to build on more solid neurophysiological basis elements traditionally used in ericksonian hypnosis.