Information Page
HYPNOSIS DEFINITION
TRANCE
SUCCESSFUL HYPNOSIS
ANXIETIES & MISCONCEPTIONS
THE POWER OF HYPNOSIS
Hypnosis definition
The term 'hypnosis' denotes an interaction between one person, the 'hypnotist', and another person or people, the 'subject' or 'subjects'. In this interaction the hypnotist attempts to influence the subjects' perceptions, feelings, thinking and behaviour by asking them to concentrate on ideas and images that may evoke the intended effects. The verbal communications that the hypnotist uses to achieve these effects are termed "suggestions". Suggestions differ from everyday kinds of instructions in that a "successful" response is experienced by the subject as having an quality of involuntariness or effortlessness.
Subjects may learn to go through the hypnotic procedures on their own, and this is termed 'self-hypnosis'.
Prepared by British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis, September 2000
Trance
A particular state of mind characterised by:
- Focussed attention
- Lack of attention to exernal stimuli
- Absorption in a particular experience
Looking at this very basic definition, it can be appreciated that it can apply to daydreaming, or being engrossed in a good book, and it is true to say, therefore that people can become spontaneously 'entranced' some examples being:
- Daydreaming
- Realising you have just driven some distance in a car without any recollection of it.
- Becoming engrossed in a book, and losing track of time.
It is logical therefore, that the application of hypnosis should encourage the particular state of mind described above, that of:
- Focussed attention (for example attention to the hypnotist's voice).
- Lack of attention to exernal stimuli (encouragement not to hear distracting sounds).
- Absorption in a particular experience (for example the scene described by the hypnotist).
Successful Hypnosis
Hypnosis is not a battle of minds or wills between the hypnotist and the client. It is a joint venture planned in advance with the aim of helping the client. In general terms this is made easier and more fruitful if:
- Aim to avoid unnecessarily analytical thinking during hypnosis.
Anxieties & Misconceptions
'I might lose control'
It is often thought that Hypnosis involves some kind of loss of control or free will. This has probably been fostered mainly by our knowledge of the stage hypnotist, who can apparently make his participants on the stage do almost anything, from eat an onion with delight to believe they are Elvis.
In fact of course, although the show on television usually opens with the participants on the stage, the process of selection for those people has gone before. It will have involved a clear statement that any participation is entirely voluntary, followed by a seried of 'tests' to select those people from the audience who are 'highly susceptible.' These tests do not involve any kind of trance as such, but are more tests of suggestion, such as that the audience will find that clasped hands are difficult to get apart. Those who apparently find it difficult to unclasp their hands go on to the next test... and so on until the participants are selected.
Clearly, if a particular person was not willing to participate, they might sensibly decide not to clasp their hands in the first place, or pretend to clasp them firmly without really doing so.
The question often asked after seeing the selected participants take part in the show is 'were they really hypnotised or were they acting?' The answer to this is that we don't really know for sure. Both possibilities are possible.
'I might not wake up'
There has never been a case of someone not waking up.
'I might not remember anything afterwards'
You will be fully aware throughout treatment. In my experience there is rarely anything to be gained by using a post-hypnotic suggestion of amnesia, and this would always be discussed and agreed with the client before a particular session.
'It might be dangerous'
There has only been one case in recent times brought to civil court in a claim for damages, alleging that harm had come to a participant after a stage show. This case was not proved, and n o damages were awarded.
Whilst I am confident that participation in a stage show is a far-from-ideal use of hypnosis, treatment of specific problems in the tranquility of a consultation room is not harmful.
'I might not be hypnotizable'
Anyone who has ever daydreamed when reading a book, or been unaware of a particular stretch of road they have just driven down has demonstrated to themself that they are able to undergo self-hypnosis.
In my own experience, critical, analytical, clients are more than able to understand the process, dispel any anxieties, and enjoy the experience.
'Hypnosis is sleep'
Hypnosis is deep relaxation, but not sleep. However it's certainly possible for a client to fall into a light sleep for a short time during treatment if they are very tired!
'Hypnosis involves complete immobility'
Fortunately this is not the case. It is possible to move freely during hypnosis, so if you have an itchy nose, you can scratch it!
The Power of Hypnosis
- Hypnosis was recently featured on More4's 'Hypnosurgery Live'. Visit the More4 website here for a chance to view the program again. During the program, a patient underwent a full appendicectomy live during the program, and was walking around a few minutes after the operation.
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