Chrysalis Year One What is Hypnosis?

The American Psychological Association (2014) defines hypnosis as “… a therapeutic technique in which clinicians make suggestions to individuals who have undergone a procedure designed to relax them and focus their minds.”

As mentioned above hypnosis can provide a feeling of deep relaxation and revitalisation but to be successful it must begin with relaxation. Life is busy! Whilst in our busy lives we may drift in and out of a natural trance state, to support effective therapeutic change it is essential to enter the trance calm and relaxed and free from the burdens of tension and stress that people often carry with them. This is most often achieved through the use of a Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). The PMR can be delivered in the form of a screed or script guiding the subject through their body releasing the tension in the muscles.

The content of this essay will explore how hypnosis has been defined in both the past and the present. I will explain my understanding of hypnosis as well as exploring the history of hypnosis, its origins and how it was first practiced. I shall also detail some of the techniques used and the psychological and physical changes which occur during hypnosis. Finally I will discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy and look at some of the reasons that individuals wish to undergo hypnosis and the benefits they may experience.

Hypnosis is a natural psychological state of consciousness similar to a sleep state where the subject is vaguely aware of their surroundings. In this condition, subjects enter a tranquil state that allows them to easily reach into their subconscious and readily react to suggestion. While hypnosis has been widely used for entertainment purposes, it can also be used in a clinical setting to help relax the body and promote health through decreased heart rate and slowed breathing.

Kihlstrom (1992) mentioned that ‘hypnosis has matured as both a fascinating topic for scientific research and an effective technique for clinical application’. Hypnosis is an alternative state that raised by the procedure which consist of the hypnotic induction and the specific suggestion. At this state of altered consciousness, participant could have focused attention, reduced peripheral awareness and an enhanced capacity to respond to suggestion. For example, there were some studies using the hypnotic suggestion as an investigative tool in cognitive neuroscience, such as vision (Kosslyn et al, 2000), attention (Raz, Shapiro, Fan, & Posner, 2002), attentional conflict of the Flanker effect (Iani, Ricci, Gherri, & Rubichi, 2006), and Stroop

The first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of hypnosis is usually a magician convincing a person to act like a chicken, however, hypnosis is actually an approach that doctors can use to treat pain, depression, anxiety, phobias, and more. Hypnosis is a state in which a person appears to be under a trance and is extremely concentrated (Brandt). It is not a new concept. In fact, hypnosis has been used by the ancient Egyptians over 2,000 years ago (healing power). In the 1770s, the Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer began to study hypnosis scientifically. More recently, it was used during World War I and World War II to treat soldiers who experienced post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental disorders (World Book).

Closer to modern day, in his book Hypnotherapy, Dave Elman not only concentrates on relaxation (a

People are now beginning to realize that hypnosis is not stage trickery, but a serious medical discipline with a great potential to improve people's lives. We are seeing more people than ever attending hypnotherapists, and getting good results from their treatments. We are also seeing an increase in the numbers of people who are trying to treat themselves using hypnosis. Now that we have more information resources available, through libraries and through the Internet, more people are realizing that it is realistically possible to treat psychological and behavioral conditions in your own home, provided of course that the problems have not escalated to a degree where professional help is essential.

Hypnosis Therapy gained popularity in the mid-1900s because of Milton H. Erickson, a psychiatrist who often used hypnosis in his practice. “In 1958, both the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association recognized hypnotherapy as a valid medical procedure (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2013).” “Since 1995, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recommended hypnotherapy as a treatment for chronic pain. (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2013).” However, we must ask ourselves one simple question. Is hypnosis therapy, or hypnotherapy, a valid trusted procedure that can be used to cure pain and many illnesses, or is it simply fooling the brains of cooperative

First let us consider hypnosis. The Oxford Handbook of Hypnosis: Theory, Research and Practice mentions two elements that should be considered when defining hypnosis: “’hypnosis-as-procedure’ and ‘hypnosis-as-product.’” The first element of this definition ‘hypnosis-as-procedure’ involves two necessary components: an introduction and the first suggestion. As described by the book, the introduction includes informing the subject that hypnosis involves potential imaginative experiences.

The hypnotist induces a trance by slowly persuading the participant to relax and lose all interest in external distractions. The participant is not under the hypnotists control but can be convinced to do things that he or she would not normally do. However, anyone can resist hypnosis by refusing to open his or her mind to the hypnotist.

The deep relaxation techniques and focusing exercises of hypnosis work to calm and subdue the conscious mind in taking a back seat to the subconscious mind where the hypnosis process opens up a control panel inside the brain changing negatives to positives.

Hypnosis is an intense state of consciousness in which the psychologist asks several specific questions to either alleviate pain or come to a better understanding of the symptom of event that causes them distress. Although a controversial tactic, those who choose to go through with hypnosis can only be hypnotized if they are willing. If a patient requires more treatment such as medication, a psychologist can work with medical personnel to further their recovery (“What Do”). They work with a person’s motivation and energy to examine their thoughts, feelings, and behavior to develop ideas about how to move forward with their life (Cohen).

Hypnosis is one to the most controversial and misunderstood way of psychological healing. It gives you the

Hypnosis is a state of intense relaxation and concentration, in which the mind becomes remote and detached from everyday cares and concerns. In this relaxed state the subconscious part of the mind is best able to respond creatively to suggestion and imagery. It can focus on the things you wish to change and on the ways you can best do so, free from analytical or anxious thoughts. You are, however, not asleep nor are you unconscious. You are in an altered or alternative state of consciousness in which you 'let things happen' through your subconscious mind rather than trying to make them happen with your conscious mind. Because you are deeply relaxed, the suggestions given to you by the hypnotist will be acted upon more easily