Hypnosis has long been
associated with the strange and mysterious, with side shows and faith healers.
But the truth is that hypnosis is not the least bit mysterious nor is it
difficult to learn and master.
I would define
hypnosis as a state of guided sleep known as the 'hypnotic trance' where the
subject retains awareness of the surroundings and responds to suggestions put
during the trance state.
Marmer described
hypnosis as a psycho-physiological tetrad of altered consciousness:
1. Narrowed
awareness
2. Restricted but focused attentiveness
3. Selective wakefulness, and;
4. Heightened suggestibility.
Hypnosis, thus, shows
3 specific characteristics:
1. An increased
concentration of the mind
2. An increased relaxation of the body
3. An increased susceptibility to suggestion.
1. Increased
concentration of mind: Usually in the wakeful state, our 'units of mind power'
are scattered throughout the brain. Any extraneous suggestions during this
stage will go scattered throughout and will be captured only by a few mind
power units. In the hypnotic state, these units of mind power are concentrated
to a point that the suggestions get absorbed and retained easier.
2. Increased
relaxation of the body: Popular hypnotic induction involves the progressive
muscular relaxation techniques, whereby muscle groups are tensed and relaxed
gradually to achieve a fully relaxed body and mind.
3. Increased
susceptibility to suggestion: This is the outcome of the preceding 2
phenomena, the concentration of mind and the relaxed body. The mind, which is
in a twilight zone between the wakefulness and sleep, is highly receptive to
suggestions during the hypnotic state.
In hypnotherapy, once
in this state, called a hypnotic trance, patients are given therapeutic
suggestions to encourage changes in behaviour or relief of symptoms.
For example, in a
treatment to stop smoking a hypnosis practitioner might suggest that the
patient will no longer find smoking pleasurable or necessary. Further positive
suggestion of feeling of wellbeing after stoppage of the unwanted habit will
bolster the suggestions. Hypnosis for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis
might include a suggestion that the pain can be turned down like the volume of
a radio whenever the patient wants to.
Research in the field
of psycho-neuro-immunology has opened up exciting avenues as to how hypnosis,
along with biofeedback and relaxation techniques, can benefit the patients in
a vast array of illnesses linking mind and the body .
The trance state may
be induced by various means like guided imagery, progressive muscular
relaxation, deep breathing, meditation , self-hypnosis, or other hypnotic
induction techniques.
Individuals vary in
their ability to enter into the hypnotic trance state. It has been suggested
that 70-80 % of people are hypnotizable to some extend.
The feeble
minded or psychotic persons cannot be put under hypnotic trance, for the
simple reason that they are unable to concentrate for any length of time.
Also people who
consciously resist attempts to hypnotize cannot be hypnotized.
