“What Is Hypnosis?” Describe the Psychological and Physical Aspects of Hypnosis and Discuss the Role of Relaxation in Hypnotherapy.

Hypnosis, as a term and as a practice, is shrouded in centuries of mystery and surrounded by misconception. Even the word itself, derived from the Greek ‘hypnos’, meaning sleep, is misleading; most people today, even if they hadn’t experienced it themselves, would recognise that being in a hypnotic state is not the same as being asleep. In order to reach a satisfactory definition of hypnosis, it is necessary therefore to explore its origins,

Hypnosis is a natural state of mind that can be used for many purposes, in different settings. Nowadays research in the field of hypnosis and associated areas has blossomed and there are valuable evidence that hypnosis has real and measurable affects on both body and mind. During this essay I will be describing what is hypnosis including what the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis are, further I will be discussing the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy.

Hypnosis can be traced as far back as the ancient Egyptians where it was used as a means of curing illnesses through suggestion, it was known as the curing sleep. Hypnosis can be described as a sleep like trance and a state of heightened relaxation, that hypnotists today call a trance state this is where you are more susceptible to suggestion and influence. Hypnosis can be used in many ways such as stage entertainment, therapy and as a means of investigation. For example Milton Erickson who is known as the father of modern hypnosis said “You use hypnosis not as a cure but as a means of establishing a

Traditional hypnotherapy approach is emotion focused and is based on the physiological and neurological models of behavioral response. Acording to this model, a faulty cognition of reality is rather a consequence than a cause of an overwhelming emotion. Thus, according to this approach you don't necessarily need to learn how to cope with your controlling emotions. You have to get rid of them before they become persistent.

When describing the psychological and physical aspects I will look at personal experience along side information I have obtained from others plus medical research that has shown clear markers for an individual in a hypnotised state. Then to complete the essay I will discuss the role of relaxation in hypnosis and how and

The American Psychological Association has defined the practise of hypnotherapy as a “procedure during which a health professional …suggests that a client… experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts or behaviour”.

Hypnosis as it is practised refers to an interaction between two people, one of whom is identified as the hypnotist, the other as the subject/client, (P2 Hypnotherapy handbook, by Heap and Dryden). Hypnosis is a process in which psychological, mental emotions, reactions and behaviour are changed to improve health and positive wellbeing. During this essay I will talk about the history and what the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis are. Further to that I will be discussing the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy, why some of us are more susceptible and how hypnosis has been used in medicine, as well as the comparisons to hypnosis today.

When you think of hypnosis you often think back to a magic show where you watched people go up on stage and do an act of commands without even realizing. For many Americans  hypnosis may be more of a magic show than a means for therapy or forensic investigation. Recently hypnosis has been relied on to get answers, whether it be for getting over a fear or remembering memories for a court case. In both fields the subject of hypnotherapy is controversial. Hypnotherapy may lead to pseudomemories that are misleading or simply false. Hypnotherapy is a great therapeutic technique because it helps grieving people cope with a loss of a loved one, it rids patients of phobias, and can be used to recover traumatic memories that can be problematic towards

Hypnosis is a method of deep relaxation where the subject is open to suggestions. The “supportive research” of hypnosis and hypnotherapy is highly anecdotal. Most conclusions about hypnosis and hypnotherapy are based on personal accounts rather than facts or research. Lilienfeld and Landfield (2008) explain, “Informal testimonials and anecdotes suggesting that a technique is effective can sometimes provide a justification for investigating that technique further in systematic studies (Gilovich, 1991), but they are never sufficient for concluding that a technique is effective” (p 1221). People present their stories as a positive experience because nobody wants to collects failures or tell the world about their incomplete successes. Furthermore, hypnosis and hypnotherapy depends on subjective validation. Subjective validation means a person considers a statement or piece of information to be correct if it has personal meaning or significance. Individuals who attend hypnotherapy are already motivated to change their behavior of some sort. In fact, the individuals already encompass a certain amount of faith in the process.

The effectiveness of hypnotherapy comes from its ability to effect fundamental changes through reprogramming the subconscious mind. Within this submerged region of the personality reside the motives for habits, addictions and emotional and behavioral responses. Clients learn to subconsciously accept and replace old, unworkable, and negative behavioral solutions with newer, efficient and healthier ones, thereby eliminating the need for

Hypnosis is a very natural state of consciousness in which we are able to completely relax our mind and body, it is not in any way a magic spell that has been put on a person, nor does it hold any mystical powers or is it supernatural in anyway. Hypnosis causes the person hypnotised to display and experience both physical and psychological changes. Relaxation is the key to hypnosis it is also a direct result of being hypnotised.

Hypnosis has proven to involve much activity in the brain. It is much more than a person obeying, there are underlying mechanisms in the brain that are still being studied today.

Hypnosis in itself is not a therapy but furnishes the therapist with a set of techniques and approaches to form a particular course of treatment, hence this process being known as ‘Hypnotherapy’. [6]

The literature reviewed is generally definitive in the nature of hypnosis. Bryant and Mabbutt (2006, p. 12) describe it as “ … a state of mind connected to deep relaxation, narrowed focus, and increased suggestibility. They also suggest that “Hypnosis is an intermediate state between sleep and wakefulness.” Bryant and Mabbutt’s description is echoed by Cyna, McAuliffe, & Andrew who apply the use of hypnosis to the clinical setting (hypnotherapy) and suggest that it is used to “to achieve specific therapeutic goals such as the alleviation of pain or anxiety.” (Cyna, McAuliffe, & Andrew, 2004). Staff at The Mayo Clinic extend upon the defination of hypnosis by stating that “Hypnosis is intended to help you gain more control over undesired behaviours or emotions or to help you cope better with a wide range of medical conditions.” (Staff, 2009). They continue by

Hypnosis is also thought as a special relationship that one has with his subconscious. Trust and acceptance allows the individual to accept appropriate suggestions aimed at helping to achieve set goals changing an unhealthy habit to a healthy one.