What Is Hypnosis?” Describe the Psychological and Physical Aspects of Hypnosis and Discuss the Role of Relaxation in Hypnotherapy
“What is Hypnosis?” this is a question that we will begin to explore, looking at the differing aspects of this often misreported, misunderstood and mystifying state of mind and why it is often so closely linked with relaxation.
Hypnosis is often associated with witchdoctors and ancient medicine men and in many respects this is probably a correct association although the actual term hypnosis was not in existence until many years after such people existed. The first credible and notable recorded theory of trance like behaviour was documented by an Austrian, Doctor Franz Mesmer (1733-1815) around the 1700’s who believed it was “connected to animal magnetism”. (Hadley & Staudacher, 1996:14) Sigmund Freud however (1856-1939) was the first recognised figure from the past to note the existence of the unconscious mind. (Hadley & Staudacher, 1996:16) He spent many years developing Freudian therapy, psychoanalysis and documented the idea of bringing repressed thoughts from the subconscious to the conscious mind, using free association. Prior to Freud there were many influential figures who discussed aspects of the subconscious mind but without knowingly establishing this link such as James Braid (1795-1860), Jean Martin Charcot (1825-1893) and Liebeaut (1823-1904). (Hadley & Staudacher, 1996:4) Although in modern day terms Pierre Janet (1859-1947) and Milton Erickson (1901-1980) are thought of as the fore fathers of hypnosis as we know it today. With the assistance of modern science we now understand this mystifying practice slightly better and research has shown how it links into brain waves, so we can now surmise that Hypnosis is simply the name of an intentional technique for accessing natural brain waves and the sub conscious mind at will.
The brain has four noted brain waves or levels of activity, varying in frequency all of which manifest themselves in very different physical and psychological ways. The first type of brain wave, or Beta waves, are produced at 15 -40
Hypnosis is often associated with witchdoctors and ancient medicine men and in many respects this is probably a correct association although the actual term hypnosis was not in existence until many years after such people existed. The first credible and notable recorded theory of trance like behaviour was documented by an Austrian, Doctor Franz Mesmer (1733-1815) around the 1700’s who believed it was “connected to animal magnetism”. (Hadley & Staudacher, 1996:14) Sigmund Freud however (1856-1939) was the first recognised figure from the past to note the existence of the unconscious mind. (Hadley & Staudacher, 1996:16) He spent many years developing Freudian therapy, psychoanalysis and documented the idea of bringing repressed thoughts from the subconscious to the conscious mind, using free association. Prior to Freud there were many influential figures who discussed aspects of the subconscious mind but without knowingly establishing this link such as James Braid (1795-1860), Jean Martin Charcot (1825-1893) and Liebeaut (1823-1904). (Hadley & Staudacher, 1996:4) Although in modern day terms Pierre Janet (1859-1947) and Milton Erickson (1901-1980) are thought of as the fore fathers of hypnosis as we know it today. With the assistance of modern science we now understand this mystifying practice slightly better and research has shown how it links into brain waves, so we can now surmise that Hypnosis is simply the name of an intentional technique for accessing natural brain waves and the sub conscious mind at will.
The brain has four noted brain waves or levels of activity, varying in frequency all of which manifest themselves in very different physical and psychological ways. The first type of brain wave, or Beta waves, are produced at 15 -40
References: Hadley, J. Staudacher, C.(1996) Hypnosis for Change. USA: New Harbinger Publications. Heap, M. Dryden, W. (eds) (1991) Hypnotherapy A Handbook. Buckingham: Open University Press. Karle, H. Boys, J. (1987) Hypnotherapy A Practical Handbook. London: Free Association Books. Steward, S Bryant, M. (2006) Hypnotherapy for Dummies. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Hadley, J. Staudacher, C.(1996) Hypnosis for Change. USA: New Harbinger Publications. Heap, M. Dryden, W. (eds) (1991) Hypnotherapy A Handbook. Buckingham: Open University Press. James, T. Flores, L. Schober, J. (1999) Hypnosis: A Comprehensive Guide. Carmarthen: Crown House Publishing. Karle, H. Boys, J. (1987) Hypnotherapy A Practical Handbook. London: Free Association Books. Nash, MR Waterfield, R. (2004) Hidden Depths. London: Pan Macmillan Ltd. Yeager, E. (2009) Foundations of Clinical Hypnosis: From Theory to Practice. Carmarthen: Crown House Publishing