Hypnosis

Kelly Futral

Kevin Chamberlain

Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer Austrian physician Late 18th century Discovered what he called “____________________”

– the belief that all animals had a special magnetic fluid flowing through their bodies and illness was simply an obstacle that temporarily stopped this flow

– also known as mesmerism

– theory was rejected by officials from the Royal Academy of Sciences

Franz Anton Mesmer. (2005 October 17). Retrieved October 24, 2005 from http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Mesmer.

James Braid Developed procedure known as “hypnosis” in 1842 Created the “mesmeric trance”

– movement of a bright object to achieve _____________– proposed “ocular fixation” caused a trance

Hypnosis. (2005 October 17). Retrieved October 24, 2005 from http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnosis.

1880s and Later Uses of Hypnosis Dr. James Esdaile: used hypnotism as an

anesthetic for over 300 surgeries Jean Martin Charcot: used hypnotism for

treatment of __________ Sigmund Freud: developed abreaction therapy

using hypnosis Andrew Salter: combined hypnosis with

Pavlovian conditioning

.Hypnosis. (2005 October 17). Retrieved October 24, 2005 from http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnosis.

Dissociation ____________________: a psychological state in which

certain emotions, thoughts, memories, or sensations are separated from the rest of the body

e.g., being captivated by a book or movie Joseph Barber and Ernest Hilgard:

– view hypnosis as “an altered ‘state’ of consciousness in which a person’s stream of consciousness is divided or dissociated”

Dissociation. (2005 October 17). Retrieved October 24, 2005 from http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Dissociation

Suggestibility Theodore X. Barber:

– views hypnosis as “ a more generalized ‘trait’, or a relatively permanent characteristic of people who respond well to suggestion”

Considered easily suggestible if readily _______________ and _____________ suggestions made from other

The more suggestible you are, the more hypnotizable you are

Can be measured with tests such as the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale– Set of exercises that score a subject on their level of reaction to

a stimulus after being placed in a trance

Suggestibility. (2005 October 17). Retrieved October 24, 2005 from http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Suggestibility.

Brannon, Linda, and Jess Feist. “Hypnotic Treatment.” Health Psychology: An Introduction To Behavior and Health. Ed. Michele Sordi et al. 5th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2004. 200-202

Definition of Hypnosis American Psychological Association:

– “Hypnosis typically involves an introduction to the procedure during which the subject is told that suggestions for imaginative experiences will be presented.”

Hypnosis is not a form of ___________ (the subject is alert the whole time)

Most often compared to daydreaming, in that imaginary events seem real and can even cause emotions

Definition of the Process of Hypnosis and Trance States. (2005 October 17). Retrieved October 24, 2005 from http: //apmha.com/page 8.htm.

The Process Different hypnotists have different methods but they all

follow some general guidelines:– The subject must want to be hypnotized.– The subject must believe he or she can be hypnotized.– The subject must eventually feel _________________

and relaxed. Subject is put into a trance, or an altered state of

consciousness, and then given suggestions by the hypnotist

How Hypnosis Works. Retrieved October 24, 2005. http://science.howstuffworks.com/hypnosis.htm.

Trance Induction Methods ____________________ Induction or Eye Fixation:

– e.g., waving a watch in front of someone– Basic Idea: the subject focuses so intently on the object

that everything else is tuned out– Rarely used because it rarely works

Rapid:– Basic Idea: give the brain a large number of firm

commands at once– If the commands are forceful enough, the subject is likely

to submit their conscious control over their actions– Works well for stage-hypnotists

How Hypnosis Works. Retrieved October 24, 2005. http://science.howstuffworks.com/hypnosis.htm.

Trance Induction Methods Progressive relaxation and Imagery:

– Basic Idea: Speak to the subject slowly in a _________ voice until the subject experiences complete relaxation

– Most commonly used by psychiatrists Loss of balance

– Basic Idea: Use slow, rhythmic rocking to create a loss of equilibrium

– e.g., rocking a baby to sleep

How Hypnosis Works. Retrieved October 24, 2005. http://science.howstuffworks.com/hypnosis.htm.

Hypnotherapy Therapy based on or using some form of

hypnosis. More effective with __________________

patients. More effective when coupled with

additional treatment, such as cognitive or behavioral therapy.

Hypnotherapy Despite some controversy over the

nature of hypnosis and even its use, there is significant evidence that hypnotherapy is more effective than a placebo at dealing with a variety of health-related issues.

How does Hypnotherapy Work? The first step is for a clinician to put the

patient into a trance-like state, then… Suggestions are made to alter the patient’s

train of thought. Metaphors are told that the patient

internalizes. Questions are asked to draw out memories.

Edmunds, Gafner (2003) Touching Trauma. Journal of Contemporary Hypnosis.

Practical Applications for Hypnotherapy Cessation of ____________ Treatment of pain, including chronic back

pain, burn pain, cancer-related pain, childbirth pain, dental pain, surgery-related pain, and phantom limb pain

Treatment of general anxiety, disease-related anxiety, and PTSD

Treatment of phobias Treatment of _____________ disorders

Belief in Hypnotherapy As with any other treatment, hypnotherapy will be

less effective for those patients _______________ of the process of hypnosis, or its potential medical benefits.

In most cases, effectiveness of hypnotherapy is correlated with the patients suggestibility level.

A recent study has shown suggestibility to be negatively correlated with academic achievement.

West, V (2003). Hypnotic Suggestibility and Academic Achievement. Journal of Contemporary Hypnosis

Hypnotherapy Many medical professionals are unaware of the

benefits of hypnotherapy. Several scholarly journals publish articles only

related to hypnotherapy, including…

Journal of Contemporary Hypnosis International Journal of Experimental and

Clinical Hypnosis American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis

Negative ConsequencesA number of negative side effects have been

associated with hypnotherapy… Headaches __________ Neck Pain Reliving traumatic life experiences

Lynn et al. (2000)The Systematic Study of negative post-hypnotic effects. Journal of Contemporary Hypnosis

Negative Consequences (ctd.) A rare number of cases exist in which legal action

has been brought about as a result of hypnosis (usually stage hypnosis).

Plaintiffs have claimed that being stage hypnotized resulted in depression, sexual dysfunction, and even psychosocial disorders.

Although not all claims are validated, these cases raise important issues on the potential dangers of hypnosis.

Preventing Negative ConsequencesClinicians can reduce negative consequences by… Not hypnotizing patients with major psychological

disorders Dispelling common myths about hypnosis Explaining possible after-effects of hypnosis Conducting a thorough _________________

Page, Handley (1993) The Effects of Preventive Measures in reducing aftereffects of hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis