What Is Hypnosis

Words 2062

INTRODUCTION

I have begun this essay with a brief history of Hypnosis to explain a little about the changes throughout the ages and how there is still some scepticism about it.

I have then tried to describe what hypnosis is and how it can work for all manner of physical and psychological problems and what the processes are to the best of my knowledge.

I have then given two examples, one of the psychological benefits of hypnotism and the other, of the physical effects and its benefits.

I have then briefly discussed the role of relaxation in relation to hypnotherapy.

A BRIEF HISTORY

It is highly likely that hypnosis has been in existence since the beginning of human history and thereafter, civilisation. From the ancient Egyptians to the Greeks who used 'sleep temples' to induce trances and performed rituals where people would walk through the temples filled with burning candles and drink herbal substances and come out 'healed'. The Pagan and Shaman practices of rituals and even down to religious ceremonies today, all are steeped in the power of suggestion.

But it was not until towards the end of the eighteenth century that it became recognised as a practice which could be used to induce relaxation and a method and science of assisting in the recovery or at least a relief of the symptoms of physical and psychological illnesses, ailments and many bad habits. The word hypnosis originally comes from 'Hypnos', who was the Greek personification of sleep, in Roman mythology the word is 'Somnus'.

So it began in the late 1770s with the advent of doctor, Franz Anton Mesmer who originally thought that the link to healing patients was with a magnetic field which came from a vat which iron rods were placed and patients held onto these to be healed as well as with touches from Mesmer. This is where the terms 'mesmerising' and 'animal magnetism' are derived from. Mesmer had many disciples who were to revise his practices and add to them new beliefs. The marquis of Puysegur believed the magnetism to be electric and that this existed in all living things and that we are all connected. A London Physician, John Elliotson reported a large number of surgical operations which had been performed painlessly under hypnosis and Scottish surgeon James Esdaile performed many surgical operations in India using 'mesmerism'. There were many others who used hypnosis in their works. James Braid, towards the end of the eighteenth century also attempted to rename Hypnosis as 'monoideism', which means the focusing of the attention on a single thing, especially as a result of hypnosis. But, by this time the name Hypnosis has already stuck in people's minds. Sigmund Freud also used hypnosis but rejected this and continued with his work to understand free association and dream interpretation. Milton Erickson was the most influential hypnotherapist of the twentieth century who achieved great results with the use of metaphors.

www.hypnosisinhistory.com

Robin Waterfield - Hidden Depths 2002

Hypnosis for change - Third edition - Hadley and Staudacher

My voice will go with you - Rosen

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a scientifically verified and effective technique that can promote accelerated human change. With Hypnosis, we can create desired changes in behaviour and encourage mental and physical well-being. www.hypnosis.com

Hypnosis works by way of inducing a willing subject into a state of deep relaxation where they become open to positive suggestions to overcome and override negative thought processes and behaviours and change the way they do things.

Hypnosis, as I have described has been used for aeons in the remedial effects of pain, illness, addictions and many more human conditions which restrict or consume people. Psychologically, it is an immensely useful tool, though it may only be successful if the subject is both motivated and willing to undergo the practice in order for the desired outcome to be achieved. I believe that, many things in life, like health, happiness and wealth are products of a state of mind and that these can only be achieved with a positive outlook and practice. I think that human beings are extremely suggestible, and that one has to exercise great caution in the suggestions being made due to vulnerabilities of individual characters and personalities. What may be right for one may not be right for another at that time in their life. Hypnosis performed upon a willing subject for a beneficial, desirable outcome, for instance, gaining self-confidence is a very positive thing and could contribute to a life changing experience. But, I believe that minds are very powerful, yet, also intensely fragile and must be handled as such. Some of the most vulnerable people in society are subjects of unethical suggestion without even having any awareness of it. Contributors may be the media, dysfunctional, abusive or controlling relationships and many other hidden messages which are conveyed in an extremely subtle pretext to us all in our waking lives.

On a physical note, we all have basic requirements to sustain our bodies. When we are physically ill, or injured we are depleted somewhat and sometimes it is hard to overcome. This is where, aside from pharmaceutical remedies or procedures, which have their place, people might explore something quite unknown to them. So, for some who decide to 'step out', hypnosis may offer hope and positivity that there can be a solution to a problem. If a person has a debilitating illness then I am sure that they can, although perhaps not cure this illness but through relaxation and positive thinking at least, alleviate some of the pain and symptoms of the illness by tapping into the subconscious and changing or reprogramming the way of conscious thinking by way of suggestion.

So hypnosis is a form of relaxation which goes further into the subconscious than just relaxation. It involves a process called induction to get the subject into a trance state, this can be done by PMR (progressive muscle relaxation). Fixed induction can be used where the subject is asked to focus on an inanimate object or rapid induction where this trance state is achieved very quickly through a few verbal commands. There are several levels of trance:

Alert, light trance (daydreaming), moderate trance and deep trance and lastly sleep.

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