...Module 1 – Reflective Journal The first session of the training course provided me with a much better understanding about where hypnosis has come from and the journey it has taken to become more recognised and accepted for its use in therapy. I find hypnosis intriguing due to its simplicity yet effectiveness to create change. I love how you can use hypnosis on yourself and others for a wide range of issues or just to relax. It’s easy to see how the general perception of hypnosis is misconstrued due to practitioners of the past, the media and how hypnosis for entertainment has depicted it. Explain the state of hypnosis and its history ‘Hypnosis’ was first coined by James Braid in 1840 after the name of the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos. Despite what its name suggests, it is not to go to ‘Sleep’ but a process that allows the subject to access their subconscious mind more easily. It increases their suggestibility and is achieved through internalising the senses using the imagination and imagery. The first note worthy practitioner of hypnotic phenomena was Franz Anton Mesmer in 1770. Influenced by his studies and colleagues at that time, he believed that human health was affected by forces that were exerted by other planets through an invisible fluid that flowed through each person. If the fluid got blocked or was not aligned in a person then they became ill. He believed that this ‘fluid’ could be affected by using...
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...New Age Hypnosis 1 Self Hypnosis REVISED EDITION Easy Ways to Hypnotize Your Problems Away DR. BRUCE GOLDBERG New Page Books A division of The Career Press, Inc. Franklin Lakes, NJ 2 Self-Hypnosis Copyright ∞ 2006 by Dr. Bruce Goldberg All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher, The Career Press. SELF HYPNOSIS, REVISED EDITION EDITED BY CHRISTOPHER CAROLEI Cover design by Lu Rossman/Digi Dog Design NYC Printed in the U.S.A. by Book-mart Press To order this title, please call toll-free 1-800-CAREER-1 (NJ and Canada: 201848-0310) to order using VISA or MasterCard, or for further information on books from Career Press. The Career Press, Inc., 3 Tice Road, PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 www.careerpress.com www.newpagebooks.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Goldberg, Bruce, 1948Self hypnosis : easy ways to hypnotize your problems away / by Bruce Goldberg.— Rev. ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: *978-1-56414-885-8 (pbk.) ISBN-10: 1-56414-885-8 (pbk.) 1. Mental suggestion. I. Title. BF1156.S8G65 2006 154.7—dc22 2005056737 New Age Hypnosis 3 DEDICATION This book is dedicated...
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...Word Count: 2024 “What is Hypnosis” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy Introduction My essay will firstly attempt to look at the history of hypnosis and then look at what hypnosis is and also what hypnosis is not. My essay will then try to describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and finally I will discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy and whether relaxation is necessary for hypnotherapy to take place. History of hypnosis Hypnosis dates back hundreds of years and maybe portrayed as far back as the Old Testament. There is also evidence of hypnosis in Ancient Egypt over 3,000 years ago. There are two main leading men in the study of hypnosis, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734 – 1815) and Milton Erickson (1901 – 1980). Franz Anton Mesmer was considered to be the father of hypnosis. He is remembered for the term “mesmerism”, but this name didn’t stick and it was later changed to hypnosis. Milton Erickson is known as the father of modern hypnosis and is thought to have pioneered the art of suggestions in hypnosis. Milton Erickson developed many tips and techniques in hypnosis that were very different from what was commonly practiced. Milton Erickson maintained that a trance like state was very common, it is quite normal to become so immersed in an everyday activity that people go into a trance like state, and this is so common that most people do not recognise this as a hypnotic...
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...Condition that interests you and research it. Write about the possible uses of hypnosis in the treatment of the condition as you see them. I have chosen diabetes as a subject of interest; partly because this condition has more recently become prevalent in my own extended family, and partly because I‘m interested to explore the impact that hypnosis may have upon what is now classified as a worldwide epidemic The problem in people with diabetes is that either they don’t produce enough insulin, or the insulin they do produce doesn’t work properly, or their cells don’t respond properly to insulin. The net result is that glucose isn’t cleared from their bloodstream. Their blood glucose levels are then too high and the body tries to clear them away by various compensatory methods, such as increased urination. Insulin helps to reduce the glucose levels produced by the breakdown of carbohydrates in food. As more studies have been conducted, medical professionals now understand that diabetes brings with it the hidden risk of depression. In fact, diabetes can increase the odds of a person developing depression by 50% With depression comes a distancing of relationships, difficulty in the workplace or in school, and an overall sense of doom and defeat. Considering that 35% of all diabetics have significant depression and 11% have major depression, it is easy to understand why hypnosis can be so beneficial. Nearly all the family members I consulted with to ascertain...
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...What is Hypnotherapy? Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy. This essay will offer a definition of hypnotherapy and then proceed into a brief history of hypnosis. Afterwards, the aim is to describe what psychological and physical aspects appear within hypnosis including a few examples for illustration. The latter part of this essay will focus on the role of relaxation within hypnotherapy, finishing with an overall conclusion. To answer what is Hypnotherapy, firstly the term ‘hypnosis’ must be understood. Hypnosis is “a different state of consciousness which you can naturally enter so that, for therapeutic purposes (hypnotherapy), beneficial corrections may be given directly to your unconscious mind”, according to the BSCH at http://BSCH.org.uk/hypnotherapy.htm (2007). Therefore, Hypnotherapy appears to be the therapeutic work done between the client and the Hypnotherapist in order for advantageous changes to occur within the clients (unconscious) mind. Ancient history highlights Hypnosis used by the Egyptians through pictorial evidence of people standing over another making what is assumed hypnotic hand motions, but interpretation of such is difficult, (Waterfield 2004). Modern history starts with Franz Anton Mesmer’s (1733-1815) early notions on ‘universal gravitational fluid’ whereby the planets influence fluid inside the human body. Initial healing used magnets owing Mesmer to change his terminology...
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...Alison Farrall Module Eight Word Count 1871 Choose a medical condition that interests you and research it. Write about the possible uses of hypnosis in the treatment of the condition as you see them. For this assignment I have chosen to discuss fibromyalgia Fybromyalgia simply means pain (algia) coming from muscles (my) and fibrous tissues (fibro) such as tendons and ligaments. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms in addition to the pains and is sometimes called fibromyalgia syndrome. It is a chronic persistant condition. “ The cause of fibromyalgia is not known....research has shown that people with fybromyalgaia have certain subtle changes in some chemicals in the brain and nervous system.....there seems to be a minor change in the level of neurotransmitters, the chemicals responsible for transmitting messages between nerves and brain cells. Research studies have shown that there is also an increased amount of a chemical substance called substance P in the cerebrospinal fluid and that this may be involved in the way pain messages are transmitted.” ( www.patient.co.uk/health/fybromyalgia) As the cause of fibromyalgia is thought to be from the processes in the brain and spinal cord there is little evidence that the disease is due to a problem with the peripheral muscles, tendons and ligaments although the pain is often felt there. Fybromyalgia affects one in fifty people, it usually develops between the ages of twenty five to fifty five and is more common in women...
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...The State of Hypnosis Throughout the centuries history has taught us that various forms of hypnosis have been evident in many cultures. Whether it be hypnotic trance like states used by the Aboringines and the North American Indians or the theory of ‘animal magnetism’ as developed in Austria by Franz Mesmer. Mesmer’s initial work centred on applying magnets to his patient’s bodies, his belief being that the body contained fluid that ebbed and flowed according to the laws of magnetism. Mesmer’s theories evolved over time, during the 18th and 19th century’s a number of prominent practitioners (Faria, Puysegur, Braid, Esdaile, Elliotson, Liebeault, Bernheim and Freud) studied, expanded and improved on Mesmer’s concepts and experiences. During this period the theory shifted from magnets and magnetic flows to psychological force, progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and suggestive implants. Today’s hypnosis has developed even further through the greater use of technology and a far better understanding of the way the brain, the conscious and subconscious mind works. The Physical and Psychological aspects of Hypnosis The brain operates in four main wave cycle groups namely Beta (15 to 40 cycles per second), Alpha (9 to 14 cycles per second), Theta (4 to 8 cycles per second) and Delta (1 to 4 cycles per second). On a daily basis we move in and out of all of these brain wave sequences many times a day. Whilst we complete conscious tasks such as critical thinking, writing, reading...
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...of hypnosis around. It was during the 18th century that hypnosis was being understood and gaining acceptance as a psychological aspect. When we think of hypnosis we cannot agree on a fixed definition as there are many theories which have their own explanations and opinions on what hypnosis means. It is also difficult to come to a definite definition as patients /subjects that have hypnosis are never going to have the same experience as another. The simplest yet fairly definition we have is “hypnosis is a complex phenomenon, the coming together of a number of psychological processes. It involves selective attention that is, the subject’s attention is focused on a limited range of stimuli, usually internal, such as feelings and imagery. It involves relaxation: almost invariably for clinical purposes (unless he or she is, say, experiencing some arousing imagery) is both mentally and physically relaxed” Heap and Dryden (1991:2). There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to hypnosis and what people think or believe about it and a majority or nearly all of them are not true. Hypnosis is not a person with special powers, or that we start relying on it and certainly not bad for your health, these are just a few examples of myths we are made to believe. We cannot understand the truth till we read and understand the history furthermore the influential depths of hypnotherapy. This essay will explore the question what hypnosis is and by looking into the history of hypnosis we can...
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...“What Is Hypnosis?” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy. Hypnosis * History Hypnosis seems to alter the brain state in a way which allows external input to dominate over internal goals (Posner, 2011) * What it is While many people think that they cannot be hypnotized, research has shown that a large number of people are more hypnotizable than they believe. * Fifteen percent of people are very responsive to hypnosis.6 * Children tend to be more susceptible to hypnosis.7 * Approximately ten percent of adults are considered difficult or impossible to hypnotize.8 * People who can become easily absorbed in fantasies are much more responsive to hypnosis.2 One of the best-known theories is Hilgard’s neodissociation theory of hypnosis. According to Hilgard, people in a hypnotic state experience a split consciousness in which there are two different streams of mental activity. While one stream of consciousness responds to the hypnotist’s suggestions, another dissociated stream processes information outside of the hypnotized individuals conscious awareness.3 Experiments by researcher Ernest Hilgard demonstrated how hypnosis can be used to dramatically alter perceptions. After instructing a hypnotized individual to not feel pain in his or her arm, the participant's arm was then placed in ice water. While non-hypnotized individuals had to remove their arm from the water after a few seconds...
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...Introduction Hypnosis comes from the Greek work “Hypnos” which means sleep , trance like state and is termed as a state of mental and physical relaxation enabling someone to access the subconscious mind, which is the part of the mind that expresses the way people automatically feel, think and act. The hypnosis theory has proven to effectively access the subconscious mind, and determine the conflicts in the mind causing the desired change either in behaviour, emotionally, physically and psychologically. Hypnosis has become essential in the clinical aspects, mainly in the pain management with positive results . This is due to the success of many laboratory studies and research, and the ability to observe the behaviour of the client, reinforcing the theory of hypnosis. HISTORY Modern Hypnosis began with Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) an Austrian doctor who used magnets and the view of transferring fluid in order to cure illness without medicine or surgery. As there was no scientific evidence to his work, Mesmer’s believed that it was magnetism, rather than the patient's own mind that determined the outcome. His first attempt to test his theory and practice in 1774 was with Franziska Osterlin and in 1777 he restored a blind girl’s sight. His method of fluid transfer was disregarded and declared as individual fantasy by King Louis in 1785. However, Mesmer’s theory had stirred interest even after he died, a result of which saw other theories emerge. James Braid...
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...2,147 words 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. We have all been in a hypnotic state however most do not notice it because, at the time, it seemed a natural state of mind. However, the hypnotic state is natural for all humans and many animals. Neurologists believe that the left side of the brain is where the logical control centre of the brain exists (conscious mind), and the right side of the brain controls creativity (subconscious mind)(.website ,Hynosis.me.uk, hypnosis how does it work, clinical hypnosis and memory: guidelines for clinicians and forensic hypnosis by D. Corydon Hammond) This supports the idea that under hypnosis the conscious mind takes a back seat and the sub conscious mind takes over, e.g. when you are driving yourself along a familiar road past your exit, or you suddenly became aware of yourself behind the wheel and wondered where you were going...
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...What is Hypnosis? Throughout history there have been, and are still many different perspectives and opinions of what is hypnosis, its uses and functions. In order to clearly understand what hypnosis is, one must look firstly into the history of hypnosis and the different concepts which have emerged over the years, from as early as 50,000AD to the modern day, throughout different cultures. After looking at the history of hypnosis, it will go on to describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis, giving reference to Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta waves, the four different brain waves, indicating an individuals mental state, which brain waves comes in to play during hypnosis and its relevance. Graham Wicks’ (1985 Toronto’s Annual International Society of Hypnosis convention) condensed concepts from previous various writers’ concepts, The multistate phenomenon, five states of hypnotic features, will be addressed, (Karle & Boys) as will Edmond Jacobson (1929) on the effects of muscle contractions between patients and the benefits of relaxation leading to the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy today and the use of progressive muscle relaxation techniques. Hypnosis goes back thousands of years to the Greeks and Egyptians. They used to put people in a trance-like state, to bring on dreams, so they could help with peoples problems. Hypnosis was also found amongst Shaman’s, which were also known as ‘witchdoctors’. Shamans were strongly focussed with a powerful process...
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...What is Hypnosis? Definition: Hypnos was the Greek god of sleep and his name gives us the words 'hypnosis' (a particular mental state) 'hypnotism' and 'hypnotherapy' (related processes). It also gives us the familiar pharmacological term 'hypnotic' for a drug used to induce sleep. Hypnosis is "a special psychological state with certain physiological attributes, resembling sleep only superficially and marked by a functioning of the individual at a level of awareness other than the ordinary conscious state." One theory suggests that hypnosis is a mental state (Encyclopaedia Britannica 2004), while another theory links hypnosis to imaginative role-enactment. Hypnosis is in fact, a communication between the conscious and subconscious mind. It is a natural state of mind experienced as a trance. How hypnosis manifests itself can be very different from one individual to another. History: Hypnotic states of consciousness are said to be the many ways we attempt to understand ourselves and the world around us. Hypnosis was/is used as a purpose of healing and is part of almost every culture. The first recordings were some 5000 years ago in ancient Egypt – Saqqara. Here laid an important healing centre where ailing persons were led to the temple of sleep, a journey in search of a healing from the gods. This involved the ingestion of herbs, reciting hours of chants/prayers. The individual was then led to this special chamber to sleep and await a dream; that would...
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...Like most people who probably hear the word hypnosis, I associated it with people on stage being made to do embarrassing things like clucking like a chicken and barking like a dog. The words “look into my eyes, you are feeling very sleepy” came to mind. Hypnosis in many people’s opinions will be all about shows on stage for people’s entertainment. My perceptions about hypnosis have changed vastly. As I have learnt that it is completely different to what it is sometimes perceived to be and there is much more science involved. The history of hypnosis goes back a long way (thousands of years). In the 18th century the most influential figure in the development of hypnosis was Dr Frantz Anton Mesmer also known as the grandfather of hypnosis. He was an Austrian doctor who was a charismatic and at times controversial personality. He believed that the human body produced an invisible magnetic fluid and the magnets could restore the balance of magnetic fluid and this would cure the patient’s illness. He soon discovered that he could reach the same successful results by passing his hands over the patient which he did for hours at times. He named this method “animal magnetism”. He used strange mechanisms, ethereal music and created a séance-like atmosphere all of which aided in inducing trance. He was able to perform many cures using the technique that became named after him, Mesmerism. However, the medical establishment at the time, Viennese Medical Council, could find no logical...
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...What is Hypnosis ? Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy. To many people the word hypnosis will often conjure up images of swinging fob watches and dramatic stage shows where people are compelled to behave in strange ways. Whilst very entertaining, the popular performance of stage hypnosis is very different to the essence of modern hypnosis and is mainly responsible for many misconceptions about hypnotism and hypnotherapy. (Waterfield 2004) In order to understand modern hypnosis, it is necessary to look to the past in order to identify and trace its origins. Waterfield writes about examples from history thought to be an indication of early hypnosis in many different cultures, including ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, India and even Australia, but dismisses many of these as unrelated and unproven in many cases. Modern hypnosis in the Western Hemisphere is believed to have started with Franz Anton Mesmer. Born in Iznang, which is now part of Germany, in 1734, Mesmer studied philosophy, theology, music, maths and law before deciding on a medical career. He worked extensively in Vienna and as a result of influences by the mystic physician Paracelsus he began to develop ideas of an invisible fluid in the body which affected health. Initially, he used magnets to manipulate the fluid and ‘magnetise’ his patients. Healing sessions with individual patients progressed to group sessions and Mesmer came...
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