This is a simulated nervous condition. The aim of using this in a suggestibility test to primarily to create a state of suspended belief. In the eye catalepsy suggestibility challenge, the subject of course is able to open his eyes if he wants to. Suggestibility test is only to screen out those who are highly susceptible to hypnosis and will truly be unable to open their eyes when they attempt to.

For everyone else who are that not much initially susceptible to hypnosis then the challenge test is merely to create the belief that the subject is unable to open his eyes. This belief should be compounded multiple times with the suggestions reiterated multiple times. This state of suspended belief is merely an entry point into experiencing hypnosis. If they are uncritical of the suggestion that they cannot open their eyes then they are more accepting of subsequent suggestions.

This challenge test also serves as a focal point so that the subject is engaging his attention on whether or not he is indeed able to open his eyes. The operator suggestions comes in direct conflict with the conscious rational belief that he is capable of opening his eyes. When there does not exist the option of verifying whether catalepsy is indeed truly in effect then there is a conflict of belief. With the operator not giving the chance to the subject of attempting to see if catalepsy is in place then the preceding and all subsequent suggestions will have more influence.

Once the suggestion is given that catalepsy is in place this becomes a thing that the subject can verify to see if trancework induction efforts are indeed successfully producing a hypnosis state. This is why the operator should quickly transition to deepening suggestion or lift the catalepsy and proceed to fractionation.

Suggestions for catalepsy should be given repeatedly with conviction by the operator. Unconscious cues may be picked up by the subject which is way the operator need to be able to convey absolute conviction in the suggestion taking effect. While initially the subject may not have the absolute conviction that the eyes are indeed cataleptic, in compounding the suggestions and fractionating the trance state the suggestion becomes reinforced. The thought of the eyes being cataleptic is repeating impressed upon the subject’s psyche while the subject’s reality checking mechanism is suspended.

In regards to whether the eyes really are cataleptic or not at this point does not matter since the operator is primarily concern with the subject attaining a greater depth of hypnosis. Be careful on gauging whether or not the subject has absolute conviction of the eye catalepsy. If the subject does not then it is only a matter of repeating the process and suggestions.