What_What_Is_Hynosis

/I have used appropriate quantitative evidence to examine Hypnosis and its various manifold aspects. I hope that you will find my work informative and accurate and that your interest will not wain until you have finished my essay. I will explore, “What is Hypnosis'” “Aspects of Hypnosis'” “The Role of Relaxation'” What is Hypnosis' I shall try to inform you in a basic introduction. Hypnosis in some quarters has quite a quirky reputation – sideshows entertainment,supernatural underlines, being taken over and exploited by the hypnotist, all sorts of tales have prevailed about hypnotism.It seems to many to be quite a mystery – and a bit odd. But you probably yourself have been in an hypnotic state thousands of times – you would not have noticed it because it seemed such a natural state of mind and the hypnotic state is natural for all humans and many animals. Chances are, you have found yourself driving along a familiar motorway past your exit, or perhaps you suddenly become aware of yourself behind the wheel and wondered where you were going. Has it happened to you' This is how it happens. Everything that you have learned isstored in your subconscious mind. Because you have learnt to drive your driving skill is stored in your subconscious . As you begin your journey, you get in your car, move out onto the road, move into the flow of the traffic and reach a consistent speed. Now your conscious mind is free. This is because all the knowledge required for driving exists in your subconscious . Your conscious mind drifts off allowing your subconscious mind to become more active.Hence a very good partnership! You may become so engrossed in your thoughts that you drive in the direction of your office when your actual destination is the greengrocers. When your attention is needed to change lanes, avoid something in the road etc., your conscious mind comes into play again. You may arrive at your destination and wonder how you got there so quickly. Driving is only one automatic activity. Whenever you do anything automatic your conscious mind is diverted from your subconscious and you are more likely to go into an hypnotic state, such as this example., you might daydream when you are walking, jogging, mowing the lawn, when your subconscious mind is relaxed. Daydreaming is the first of the levels in a trance state. If someone recognizes they have a problem, which they realize is affecting their life, and yet they cannot rectify it consciously – then the subconscious mind therapy is the only option other than medication. Hypnosis benefits muscles, focuses on a problem – it makes problems conscious and then changes the habit. Hypnosis is a mental state, according to “state theory” or imaginative role enactment, according to “non state theory”. It is usually induced by a procedure known as , hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary instructions and suggestions. Hypnotic suggestions may be delivered by a hypnotist in the presence of the subject or may be self administered (self suggestion or auto suggestion). The use of hypnotism for therapeutic purposes is referred to as hypnotherapy. The words , hypnosis and hypnotism both derive from the term neuro hypnotism (nervous sleep) coined by the Scottish surgeon , James Braid. Around 1841 contemporary research suggest , hypnotism is actually a wakeful state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility with diminished peripheral awareness.. The personality psychologist, Robert White, is often cited as providing one of the first non state definitions of hypnosis in a 1941 article., He stated, “Hypnotic behaviour is a meaningful goal, directed, striving, its most general goal being to behave like a hypnotized person as this is continuously defined by the operator and understood by the client”. Where did Hypnosis begin. Many of the relics from ancient Egypt depict something similar to Hypnosis and so it is generally accepted that a long, long time ago trance work was used. Australian aborigines have used an hypnotic trance state for thousands of years and still do. North American Indians and Hindu culture chant and drum themselves into an hypnotic trance state – the Hindu culture incorporating their yoga as well for relaxation. One of the former pioneers of hypnotherapy was an Australian doctor called, Franz Anton Mesmer (hence the word mesmerized), who in 1766 published his ideas about what he named “animal magnetism”, seeking to account for mental disturbance as a result of cosmic fluids. His animal magnetism may best be understood as a kind of life force and he conceived illness as an interruption of the natural flow of the subtle fluid. His treatment system, known as mesmerism was the beginning of hypnosis – which influenced the development of psychoanalysis treatment and particularly psychoanalysis (Ellenberger, 1970). During the 19th century it was recognized that mental problems may have physical causes, e.g. the connection between syphilis and the mental condition of “general paresis”. Mesmer believed that a cosmic fluid could be stored in inanimate objects, such as magnets and transferred to patients to cure their ailments The doctors patient sat in a circle around a vat, which contained elements as powdered glass or iron fillings. The patient held onto iron rods that came out of the vat, and were supposed to transmit the the curing force to them. His first big success was a 29 year old woman who suffered from convulsive malady (known as a nervous disorder). She had various symptoms, including tremendous pain in her ears and head, rage, vomiting, fainting. During one attack Mesmer applied 3 magnets to the womans stomach, and legs while she relaxed and concentrated on the positive effects of the cosmic field. There was at this period The Marquis De Puysegur - he believed that that the cosmic field was not magnetic but electric. He treated his patients outdoors and under an elm tree – he believed the tree had healing powers and the force would travel through the trunk and branches to cords which he hung on the tree. There was John Elliotson (1791 – 1860) who used the hypnotic trance to perform 1834 operations. James Esdaile (1808 – 1859) performed limb amputations under what he called magnetic sleep......... E.R. Hilgard (1986) experimentally investigated what he named the hidden observer. For example highly hypnotizable subjects were given suggestions of analgesia of the hand and asked to immerse that hand in a bucket of ice and water. They were then asked to call out the rating of the experienced pain on a scale of 0 – 10. It was suggested to the subjects that although they were hypnotized and their hand was insensitive to pain – there was another part of their mind “a hidden observer part - which was aware of the experience of pain and could give , outside the subjects awareness, a true rating of the level of pain experienced. Orne (1959 – 1962) who suggested (trance logic) Hypnotic suggestions conveyed to subjects that they will not see certain objects when they open their eyes i.e. chair. Hidden observer and trance logic theories were highly criticized on methodological grounds and in terms of theory. In 1932 Milton Erickson was born – he pioneered his work in indirect suggestion and is now considered to be the Father of modern hypnosis. He believed in the advantage of indirect methods as he considered they provided additional safeguards against the lack of any response by the subject (e.g. “I do not know if your arm will be too heavy to begin to lift off your lap”). He also believed that the suggestions bypass the subjects critical faculties and therefore avoided resistance in some cases. Freud is one of the most well known psychologists. Freud observed people in an hypnotic state and recognized the existence of the unconscious mind – he was not the only one to do so – but he was the first to recognize the unconscious mind as a major source of psychopathology. This is how modern day hypnosis evolved . There were were many other pioneers of this movement, too many to mention but all of them were important with their different theories. And now I will go on and explain what hypnosis can do for you. Hypnosis can help to improve your general well being. It can make you feel so much better, mentally or physically, or both. It is not harmful as long as it is administered in the right way, does not include medication, It is your choice to enter the trance state, it has been proven that if someone is not open to suggestion then it will not be possible to proceed. When the hypnosis session is finished you will feel refreshed and relaxed and hopefully you will embark on healing yourself by your own subconscious mind, without any side-effects, any medication. Hypnosis is known to help many addictive problems, smoking, food addictions, can help insomniacs, reduce blood pressure, depression, increase capacity to learn, fear of spiders, heights, surgery anxiety, self esteem, I.B.S.,even skin conditions such as psoriasis can be helped as can some others. There are many other problems that can be addressed through the use of hypnosis to a beneficial effect to the client. As I stated earlier on in my report the client has to believe that it will work, or else it will not. Hypnosis is a state of mind brought about by the use of s set of techniques. It enhances an individuals concentration and increases their responsiveness to suggestions to make the change to an individuals thought pattern – each suggestion must fit the clients particular problem. The client is asked by the hypnotist what it is they expect from their session together.What it will mean to the client to address this problem which is affecting their life and also it is a way of getting to know the client and to assure them that everything discussed is completely confidential which should help the person relax more before they commence the session. The client is asked to sit or lie down and feel relaxed and comfortable. Then the hypnotist will take the client into a world of relaxation and inner sensations by soothing words and breathing exercises. There are 4 main types of brain waves, varying in frequency, the fastest of the 4 being beta waves and the slowest known as delta waves. There is also alpha and theta brain waves. For example theta waves (4 – 8) cycles per second may bring up suppressed memories, and alpha may enable light hypnosis and guided meditation. Delta and alpha are more commonly used to enter the clients subconscious state of mind., and transfer the thoughts process into the conscious mind – which may be painful to the client, but with the correct support hopefully will start the healing process. Your pulse will be slower and also your breathing as you begin to withdraw into your subconscious mind and you are open to suggestions. To render a client hypnotized and totally relaxed can take up to 30 – 40 minutes. In the case of progressive relaxation induction, used for stress management, between 20 – 25 minutes will be incorporated for relaxation or light hypnosis. Two main techniques are used for the induction process they are the authoritarian technique and the permissive technique. The authoritarian technique is commanding and direct, as its name suggests its purpose is to control the subject and alter behaviour through repetitive commands. Some people regard people in authority as in charge of the situation and so will give more confidence to the client. The technique works best in individual sessions and is difficult to use in a group situation. The symptoms that may be treated using this technique are often related to repressed emotion (for example, obesity which started at a young age because of the birth of a brother or sister and the resulting need to gain parental attention). Since the problem originated in a childhood response to authority, this technique is employed to take the client back in time so that they can see the problem understand it and let go of the need for the behaviour that compensates for it. Any fear that began in childhood is used with the authoritarian method. The permissive technique is a softer toned approach of therapy. The voice is used to lull the client into relaxation. Hypnotist and subject are equal. Imaginative, creative people suit this technique because more imagery is used it is more viable to the client. This technique is particularly successful with subjects who are reaching goals, such as those people who want to become more successful in an occupation or who want to improve their working conditions through their own behaviour.. There are one or two types of voice used in trance transaction at a basic induction. The monotone voice allows your attention to become inwardly focused because there is nothing distracting or diverting. The monotone is without inflection or variety in pitch or volume. It drones, “You will continue to relax, and let all your muscles in your forehead relax, and so on ….....There is nothing distracting or diverting. The monotone is without inflection or variety in pitch or volume. The rhythmic or singsong voice rocks you to peacefulness and lulls you into a trance. With this voice the stresses in the sentences can be anticipated., for example, “deeper and deeper, into total relaxation. Words are distorted for emphasis and reinforcement. Words are distorted to achieve a special, desired effect. For example “feel those muscles looooossssee. This type of word distortion is particularly beneficial to use during a progressive relaxation induction if you have a hard time trying to relax the client. Raised pitch , a raised pitch is used to penetrate the relaxed state of the relaxed mind such as,”and now you will give up smoking”. Uninterrupted rhythm is used to connect words it is simply one continuous thread of speech. For example,”Feel yourself relax and continue to relax and just relax deeper and deeper and feel your whole body relaxing deeper and deeper”. Silent pause is used to allow time for you to respond to a suggestion or command, For example, “Now take a deep breath (Pause). The pause is also used throughout the Progressive Relaxation Induction. It is important that enough time is allowed for a response, without it,you will feel anxious or hurried, and total relaxation will be impossible. As you must realize voice is the most important tool in Hypnosis for it to be successful. How Does Hypnosis Work. Hypnosis works on a deeper level with the subconscious, which is part of the mind that controls automatic processes, such as performing involuntary bodily functions (breathing, heart beat) and measures emotional reactions and stores memories. In the hypnotic state your subconscious becomes more open to positive suggestions and you are able to concentrate more easily than in a normal conscious state. Therefore, you concentrate your attention, which is narrowed and you will be more focused on what is being said to you by the hypnotist. In the hypnotic trance state your conscious mind is sedated and put toone side so to speak, to enable the subconscious mind to come forward and become more accessible – it is the subconscious mind which is responsible for any deep and lasting changes that the client chooses to make. Relaxation in Hypnosis. Relaxation is a prevailing tool for hypnosis, It is only when a person is totally relaxed then the unconscious mind is receptive to suggestive therapy which will hopefully be transferred to the conscious thoughts pattern of the individual. The muscles all over the body in the case of P.M.R.are relaxed, where in other forms of hypnosis certain other muscles will be relaxed appertaining to the particular problem which is affecting the clients life. But for hypnosis to be beneficial the client has to be totally relaxed. There is no pain, no feelings, no turmoil, just deep relaxation with the aid of the hypnotists voice. Muscle physiology is important to understand. We have 400 voluntary skeletal muscles. A muscle is composed of layers of fibres that are bunched together and connected to the nervous system by nerve endings that instigate the contraction and relaxation of the muscle group or unit. Muscle units work on an, all or nothing, principle, meaning that they are either contracting totally or not contracting totally. The later stage is when they are not relaxed. In modern life our muscles remain in a chronic state of contraction due to stress – they do not receive the relax message from the nervous system, so we live and work permanently tensed – which is often found in the back of the shoulders or on the back. When a client is relaxed during hypnosis it is claimed to reduce fear-related emotional experiences and autonomic responses, otherwise the heart rate, blood pressure would be accelerated. When the client is fully relaxed they are comfortable which draws the subject 's attention towards inner experiences such as imagery, memories and feelings, this is when specific suggestions are put forward to the client, The client will be alert , conscious, aware of where they are, very aware of the hypnotists voice and hopefully ready to engage fully. If the client is not fully relaxed then the therapy will not be successful and will fail. The language of an relaxation induction is designed to communicate opinions, thoughts, and feelings. It focuses your attention on yourself, your inner experiences, and your body. It helps you to become absorbed into the realms of your imagination and to communicate below the level of consciousness. When a person is relaxed the heart rate is slower, breathing is shallower and so the client will not wain when suggestions are made to them, in a way that they would not be able to deal with if they were not in a relaxed state of mind Relaxation is the paramount instrument in enabling hypnosis to take place in the first place. Edmond Jacobson (a doctor from Chicago) noticed that the majority of his patients who suffered from various problems, were struggling with tense muscles. He was the pioneer of the technique which is known as Progressive Muscle Relaxation or PMR. He realized by relaxing the muscle groups progressively down the body he could initiate parasympathetic nervous system activity in a conscious way by tensing and then relaxing each group of muscles. I believe through my research that hypnosis can probably alleviate flaws that exist in the mind and might well avoid medication which may have variable side effects to the individual. References; Hidden Depths, By Robin Waterfield. Hypnosis for Change By Josie Hadley and Carol Staudacher. Hypnotherapy By Michael Heap and Windy Dryden. 2 , 2 ”