narcoanalysis

American  

[nahr-koh-uh-nal-uh-sis] / ˌnɑr koʊ əˈnæl ə sɪs /

noun

1. a method of psychological investigation in which the conscious or unconscious unwillingness of a subject to express memories or feelings is diminished by the use of a barbiturate drug.

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narcoanalysis British  

/ ˌnɑːkəʊəˈnælɪsɪs /

noun

1. psychoanalysis of a patient in a trance induced by a narcotic drug

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Etymology

Origin of narcoanalysis

First recorded in 1935–40; narco- + analysis

Example Sentences

During World War II, Wolpe had been a medical officer for the South African army, treating traumatized soldiers with a Freudian approach called narcoanalysis: The men were given a barbiturate to help them access “repressed” memories from the battlefield.

From New York Times

Records show he was using sodium amytal and may have been employing "narcoanalysis" - a military method for treating servicemen with repressed traumatic experiences, which was largely abandoned after World War Two.

From BBC

One expert believes Dr Milner was practising "narcoanalysis", a therapy used during World War Two to treat soldiers with shell-shock.

From BBC

A 1946 documentary by the Hollywood director John Huston follows the rehabilitation of traumatised US servicemen, and shows narcoanalysis at work.

From BBC

Narcoanalysis quickly fell out of fashion after the war, says Dr Poole, as alternative treatments emerged and psychiatrists became concerned about the lack of supporting evidence.

From BBC