Promising Use Of Hypnosis example essay topic

Hypnotism: Is it Magic or Reality Most people know what it is. It has been seen on television and in movies, and the saying, 'You are getting very sleepy' has become a widely used phrase. Hypnosis has almost always been thought of as a magic trick, but recent studies show that it is becoming more popular in medicine and everyday life. Hypnosis is defined as a state of mind where the body is more reactive to suggestions than in normal conditions.

When under hypnosis, one narrows his or her attention to one subject or object. Everyone in the world has experienced hypnosis many times. Some examples are daydreaming and not realizing other events happening, being engrossed in a book or a movie, or getting lost in thoughts while driving and missing an exit (Alman 7). One also experiences hypnosis just before falling asleep at night and again before becoming fully awake in the morning (Basic Information 1). Even though everyone experiences hypnosis at least twice daily, it is not a highly understood subject by most. To fully understand how hypnosis works, one has to understand the four different activity levels of the human mind.

The first level is called beta. In beta the mind is in complete consciousness. Approximately 75 percent of this level is spent regulating vital bodily functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and digestion. The second state is called alpha. Alpha refers to when the mind is in 95 to 100 percent concentration.

When hypnosis is induced, the mind is in the alpha level. In this state the mind is fully aware and conscious, but the outside appearance of the body suggests the person being hypnotized is asleep. The last two activity levels are theta and delta. In theta the unconscious mind is in a light sleep, and delta refers to the deepest sleep possible (Goldberg 13-14). Hypnosis takes place in the alpha level because the mind is still in a conscious state (Goldberg 14). During hypnosis dissociation occurs, which is when part of the mind's experience is separated from conscious awareness (Barber 2).

This is why a hypnotized person is prone to believe suggestions made, no matter how absurd they are. 'A deeply hypnotized person will swear that the sky is brown if such a suggestion is made and accepted' (Phelps 10). When one is put into a hypnotic trance, he or she does not feel major effects like most would think. When in a light trance, it is feasible that a patient may not believe he or she was hypnotized.

But under deeper trances, more effects are felt such as feeling mellow and light, or feeling very heavy (Hunter 3). The three methods of producing hypnosis are autohypnosis, hetero hypnosis, and self-hypnosis. Autohypnosis occurs when the mind concentrates on something such as a television program or a good book and causes a sense of extreme focus. When hypnosis is induced by another person, it is called hetero hypnosis.

Hetero hypnosis is produced by a hypnotist, usually a professional or someone sufficiently trained, who puts someone into a hypnotic trance using either words, movements, or touch. The last method is self-hypnosis, which is defined as the process of inducing hypnosis by oneself (Phelps 12-13). Even though there are three different defined ways of producing hypnosis, many experts have come to the conclusion that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. A hypnotist helps to guide and develop the hypnotic trance, but the person being hypnotized is initially in control (Alman 8).

As Karen Olness, M.D. from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio explains, 'All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. We all tune things in and out all day long. For example, I can focus on the conversation we " re having and choose not to notice that I have a slight pain in my right shoulder. I can choose which signals to pay attention to and not pay attention to' (qt d. from Hypnosis and Biofeedback 104).

There is not a difference between the hypnotic trance of a person under self-hypnosis and a person under hetero hypnosis or autohypnosis (Goldberg 28). No one knows the exact time hypnosis developed, but it is believed that it was first used by religious leaders, witch doctors, medicine men, and shamans. People in ancient Egypt and Greece used it for healing and curing disease (Goldberg 10). One of the first known people to experiment with hypnosis was Father Gassner, a clergyman in the early 1770's. In those days the belief was that if someone was ill, they were possessed by devils.

To become well again, the devils would have to be cast out of the body. When a patient was ill, they would be placed in the center of a room to wait for Father Gassner. He would suddenly appear in a black flowing cape, holding a gold crucifix up in the air. He would then tell the patient that when he or she was touched by the crucifix, they would fall to the floor and 'die. ' During the time the patient was on the floor, Father Gassner would cast the devils out of their body, and they would awaken in normal health. Father Gassner was responsible for introducing hypnosis to the medical profession (Bryan 2-3).

In the decades and years following Father Gassner, many more people experimented with the new phenomena. It was not actually called 'hypnosis' until a man named James Baird, 'the father of modern hypnotism,' coined the term in 1842, defining it as a 'phenomena due to suggestion alone, acting upon a subject whose suggestibility had been artificially increased' (Goldberg 10). A year after Baird named 'hypnosis,' it was first used as an anesthetic during surgery in America. It was reported that even though a patient was 'unconscious,' the greater part of the brain was awake, and nerve impulses could still reach the brain (Bryan 12). Throughout the 1900's hypnotism has taken great strides and has become better known to the public. Interest especially increased after World War I and World War II when doctors found out that it was useful for treating soldiers with repressed memories of traumatic battle situations.

By using hypnosis, the soldiers could recall various tragic situations in their minds, relive them, and slowly improve. In the United States, the Society of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis was founded in 1949. It included scientists and physicians that were interested in researching hypnosis. In 1958 the Medical Association and the American Dental Association finally decided that hypnotism was an acceptable form of treatment (Phelps 4).

Since then it has been taught in medical school, and it has been used as a treatment for all psychosomatic illnesses. Use of hypnotism in surgery has also increased so that less or no anesthetic has to be administered (Guyonnaud 22). Even though hypnosis has become a more researched topic throughout the years, many myths and fallacies have developed. One of the most frequently asked questions about hypnosis is about whether or not a hypnotized person gives up control of his or her mind. As long as the person realizes that they are in full control of the hypnosis power, they are in total control of the situation. Hypnosis just guides the mind; it does not control it.

A person in a deep state of hypnosis can still resist unwanted suggestions (Hunter 3). Other myths about hypnosis are that a person can get stuck in a hypnotic trance, that a person will not remember what happened during hypnosis, or that a person will do or reveal anything suggested while they are under a hypnotic trance. The truth is that hypnosis is safe. A person cannot get stuck in hypnosis. Since everyone goes through hypnosis at least twice each day, it is a natural process of the mind. People put themselves into and bring themselves out of hypnosis all the time (Goldberg 18).

People remember everything from hypnosis ninety percent of the time. The only time a person will not remember what happened is if they go into a deep trance (Answers 1). Since a hypnotized person is in complete control, they will not reveal or do anything they do not want to. Unless the person wants to give out certain information, their subconscious mind hides secret information (Goldberg 18). Another important question about hypnosis concerns who can be hypnotized. It used to be thought that people who were feeble-minded or mentally ill were the only ones able to be hypnotized.

But studies over the years have shown that (the ability to experience hypnosis) is not related to intelligence or mental health. Hypnotizablity seems to be correlated with 'the capacity for imaginative absorption and the capacity for dissociation' (Barber 4). People who are extremely imaginative and able to block out their surroundings are the most susceptible to hypnosis, but exceptions do occur. Even people who believe that they cannot be hypnotized can be brought under the hypnotic trance if there is appropriate motivation (Barber 5).

The following formula can be used to describe hypnosis: belief + misdirected attention + expectation = hypnosis (Goldberg 19). Hypnosis has it's doubters, but the main reason why it is becoming more popular is it's breakthroughs in medicine and treatments to break bad habits. The ability to control pain is one promising use of hypnosis. The patient does not exactly have less pain, but their awareness of it is reduced (Wilkes 26). It has been very effective for burn victims, arthritis sufferers, and sufferers of chronic migraines, where there is excruciating pain. Even though hypnosis can be used to reduce pain, it cannot be effective when used just by itself.

Psychologist Joseph Barber of the School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles explains, 'Hypnosis is like a syringe. By itself it's not a treatment. It's the counseling and therapy one receives with the hypnosis that is important' (qt d. from Long 28). Other than pain hypnosis can be used to treat conditions such as skin problems, nausea, autonomic and endocrine disorders, compulsions, and anxiety. Stress-related disorders such as high blood pressure respond well to hypnosis because it causes the patient to relax (Long 28). Other breakthroughs have occurred using hypnosis with children that have conditions such as asthma, hemophilia, cancer, and migraines (Hypnosis and Biofeedback 105).

It works extremely well with children 'because they are more willing to learn new things, and they have better imaginations than most adults do,' reports Karen Olness M.D. (qt d. from Hypnosis and Biofeedback 105). Almost everyone has at least one bad habit. Whether it's smoking, alcoholism, or bedwetting, hypnotic treatment can be used to reduce or break such habits. Breaking bad habits involves de conditioning and reconditioning the mind. Reconditioning refers to erasing bad habits and starting with a 'clean slate. ' Planting new thoughts for healthier behavior is reconditioning.

Hypnosis retrains the reflexes to accomplish these. The reflexes referred to are the conditioned reflexes that cause habits, whether good or bad, in the first place. Hypnosis can be used to interrupt bad habits and put positive, helpful suggestions into one's mind. Using it regularly can help a person drop a bad habit (Copelan 8-11). One true story of how hypnosis was used to break a bad habit is about a woman who was a heavy cigarette smoker for about 20 years. She smoked one to two packs a day, even though she knew of the dangerous consequences that could result.

After trying to quit many times unsuccessfully, she decided to try hypnosis. She went to a hypnotist without anyone knowing, and she was hypnotized with no problem. The hypnotist gave the women several suggestions about being a nonsmoker. After that session she continued to use self-hypnosis three to four times daily, and she soon became a nonsmoker. She was still smoke-free after a year and was not afraid to tell her friends and family how she dropped her bad habit (Phelps 48-49). Since the popularity of hypnosis has increased, it's been experimented with in many different areas, some which may seem a little absurd.

Not only used in hospitals and doctors' offices, hypnosis has become a useful technique in courtrooms, schools, and even jails. The effectiveness of memory recall in hypnosis has been a factor in using it with criminals and witnesses of criminal activities (Copelan 184). Using hypnosis in criminal cases can be very effective. One example of this is when hypnosis helped a school bus driver recall the license plate number of a kidnapper's car. This information put the final piece of the puzzle together, and the kidnapper was convicted. Hypnosis was also used to help some of the kids who were kidnapped to get over the disturbing experience.

Even though this story had a happy ending, hypnosis is scrutinized in the law enforcement world because many still do not believe that it works. Many years will have to go by and many tests will have to be passed before it is regularly used in crime and law enforcement (Copelan 184-85). Another example of using hypnosis in law enforcement is judges applying hypnotic techniques in their courtrooms. Some have used it to help people overcome emotional problems, drinking problems, or even physical ailments. Hypnosis can be used to help people stay out of trouble with the law. Some prisons have installed rehabilitation programs that include self-hypnosis classes.

It teaches the inmates how to relax and utilize their time effectively. Some have gone on to become creative writers, painters, and successful businessmen. Hypnosis helped to change their self-image for the better, and it gave them more confidence (Copelan 187-88). There are many ways in which hypnosis can be used in the classroom.

Hypnosis helps to speed up the learning process, and it can stabilize an emotionally insecure student. As with prison inmates, hypnosis can help students gain self-confidence and learn more sufficiently. There is a three step process of how hypnosis can be used to help teach that is described in Rachel Copelan's How to Hypnotize Yourself and Others. In the first step, the material is read, and the teacher answers any questions about it. Next the students are put under a light hypnotic trance and read the material again. They then are brought out of hypnosis, and the third step is to have the students recall major points of the material.

Hypnosis can also be used with students that have learning disabilities, speech problems, and with students that have low self-esteem (Copelan 195-203). Hypnosis has been and will continue to be a highly researched topic. It is making tremendous breakthroughs in the medical field as well as in other areas. Because putting someone into a hypnotic trance does not require any tools or equipment, using it as a treatment is very cost efficient. It is also extremely safe. Hypnosis has proved that it is the real deal, and it's use will only continue to grow in the future.

Bibliography

Alman, Brian M., and Peter Lamb rou. Self-Hypnosis: The Complete Manual for Health and Self-Change. 2nd ed. New York: Brunner / Mazel, 1992.
Answers to Common Questions. ' Downloaded from the Internet at web Nov. 9, 1998.
Barber, Joseph. 'The Reality of Hypnosis. ' Basic Information. Bryan, William J. 'A History of Hypnosis. ' Downloaded from the Internet at web Nov. 10, 1998.
Copelan, Rachel. How to Hypnotize Yourself and Others. New York: Bell, 1984.
Goldberg, Bruce. Secrets of Self-Hypnosis. New York: Sterling, 1997.
Guyonnaud, J.P., and Giovanni Scioto. Self-Hypnosis Step By Step. Trans. ElfredaPowell. London: Souvenir Press Ltd., 1996.
Hunter, Roy. 'Official alt. hypnosis FAQ. ' Downloaded from the Internet at. hypnosis, com / trance /. html, Nov. 9, 1998.
Hypnosis and Biofeedback. ' Good Housekeeping March 1994: 104-7.
Long, Patricia. 'Medical Mesmerism. ' Psychology Today Jan. 1986: 28-29.
Phelps, Lynn. Your Guide to Medical Hypnosis. Madison: Medical Physics Publishing, 1993.
Wilkes, John. 'A Study in Hypnosis. ' Psychology Today Jan. 1986: 23-27.