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An Introduction to An Introduction to HypnosisHypnosis

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HypnosisHypnosis

I.I. What is Hypnosis ?What is Hypnosis ?

II.II. Common Myths about HypnosisCommon Myths about Hypnosis

III.III. Hypnotic SuggestibilityHypnotic Suggestibility

IV.IV. Hypnosis as a Clinical ToolHypnosis as a Clinical Tool

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I. What is Hypnosis ?I. What is Hypnosis ?

A social interaction in which one person A social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) makes suggestions about (the hypnotist) makes suggestions about perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors, and another person (the behaviors, and another person (the subject) follows those suggestionssubject) follows those suggestions

Hypnotist serves as a coach or tutor Hypnotist serves as a coach or tutor showing you the way.showing you the way.

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What is Hypnosis ?What is Hypnosis ?

State of awarenessState of awareness Highly focused attentionHighly focused attention Increased responsiveness to suggestionIncreased responsiveness to suggestion Vivid imageryVivid imagery Willingness to accept distortions of logicWillingness to accept distortions of logic People do NOT lose control of their behavior. People do NOT lose control of their behavior.

Instead, they remain aware of where they are, Instead, they remain aware of where they are, who they are, and what is transpiring. who they are, and what is transpiring.

Alteration of sensation and perceptionAlteration of sensation and perception

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Two Components of a Hypnotic Two Components of a Hypnotic ProcedureProcedure

• It is useful to think of a hypnotic It is useful to think of a hypnotic

procedure as consisting of two phases or procedure as consisting of two phases or

components:components:

• Hypnotic InductionHypnotic Induction

• Hypnotic SuggestionsHypnotic Suggestions

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What is a Hypnotic What is a Hypnotic Induction ?Induction ?

The process by which a hypnotist creates The process by which a hypnotist creates a state of hypnosis in a subjecta state of hypnosis in a subject

Usually done by voicing a series of Usually done by voicing a series of suggestionssuggestions

Voice is usually calm and of a rhythmic Voice is usually calm and of a rhythmic tonetone

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What is a Hypnotic What is a Hypnotic Suggestion ?Suggestion ?

• The subject is guided to undergo changes in experience.The subject is guided to undergo changes in experience.

• Types of Hypnotic Suggestions:Types of Hypnotic Suggestions:

Ideomotor Suggestions – experience a motor movement.Ideomotor Suggestions – experience a motor movement.

Challenge Suggestions – subject is told he or she will not Challenge Suggestions – subject is told he or she will not

be able to do some particular thing and then is asked to be able to do some particular thing and then is asked to

perform the prohibited behavior.perform the prohibited behavior.

Cognitive Suggestions – experience changes in Cognitive Suggestions – experience changes in

sensations, perceptions, thoughts or feelings.sensations, perceptions, thoughts or feelings.

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What is a Hypnotic What is a Hypnotic Suggestion ?Suggestion ?

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II. Common Myths about II. Common Myths about HypnosisHypnosis

• People in hypnosis lose control and can be made to say People in hypnosis lose control and can be made to say

or do whatever the hypnotist wants.or do whatever the hypnotist wants.

• People may not be able to come out of hypnosis.People may not be able to come out of hypnosis.

• Hypnosis only affects weak-willed people.Hypnosis only affects weak-willed people.

• Hypnosis reliably enhances the accuracy of memory..Hypnosis reliably enhances the accuracy of memory..

• Hypnosis depends primarily on the skill of the hypnotist.Hypnosis depends primarily on the skill of the hypnotist.

• NONE OF THESE ARE TRUE!!NONE OF THESE ARE TRUE!!

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Limits to HypnosisLimits to Hypnosis

You cannot be hypnotized against your You cannot be hypnotized against your will.will.

Hypnosis cannot make you perform Hypnosis cannot make you perform behaviors that are contrary to your behaviors that are contrary to your morals and values.morals and values.

Hypnosis cannot make you stronger or Hypnosis cannot make you stronger or give you new talents.give you new talents.

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III.III. Hypnotic Hypnotic SuggestibilitySuggestibility

Hypnotic suggestibility is the general Hypnotic suggestibility is the general tendency to respond to hypnotic tendency to respond to hypnotic suggestions.suggestions.

It can be measured with scales.It can be measured with scales. The number of test suggestions that an The number of test suggestions that an

individual responds to or passes individual responds to or passes indicates the person’s level of indicates the person’s level of suggestibility.suggestibility.

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HypnotizabilityHypnotizability

Differences in the ability of people to become Differences in the ability of people to become hypnotizedhypnotized

Varies from person to personVaries from person to person Varies from situation to situationVaries from situation to situation Most adults are moderately hypnotizable. Most adults are moderately hypnotizable. Children are easier to be hypnotized. Children are easier to be hypnotized. People who have positive, receptive attitudes People who have positive, receptive attitudes

towards hypnosis, tend to be hypnotized easiertowards hypnosis, tend to be hypnotized easier

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IV. Hypnosis as a Clinical IV. Hypnosis as a Clinical ToolTool

• Hypnosis is generally used in two ways Hypnosis is generally used in two ways as a clinical tool:as a clinical tool:

A.A.Making Direct Suggestions for Symptom Making Direct Suggestions for Symptom ReductionReduction

B.B.Using hypnosis as an adjunct to other Using hypnosis as an adjunct to other forms of psychotherapy (e.g., CBT – forms of psychotherapy (e.g., CBT – cognitive behavioral therapy). cognitive behavioral therapy).

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Posthypnotic SuggestionsPosthypnotic Suggestions

A suggestion, made during a hypnosis A suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, that the subject will carry out session, that the subject will carry out when no longer hypnotizedwhen no longer hypnotized

Technique can be used to encourage Technique can be used to encourage helpful behavior changes, such as helpful behavior changes, such as stopping smoking or losing weight.stopping smoking or losing weight.

Most only last for a few hours or days. Most only last for a few hours or days.

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Posthypnotic SuggestionsPosthypnotic Suggestions

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Some Clinical Problems Some Clinical Problems Thought to Be Responsive to Thought to Be Responsive to HypnosisHypnosis

Acute and Chronic PainAcute and Chronic Pain PhobiasPhobias Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute

Stress DisorderStress Disorder Performance AnxietyPerformance Anxiety DepressionDepression Eating DisordersEating Disorders Dissociative Identity DisorderDissociative Identity Disorder SmokingSmoking ObesityObesity

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ConclusionConclusion

Once associated with the supernatural, hypnosis is now accepted Once associated with the supernatural, hypnosis is now accepted as the valid subject of scientific research and as a useful clinical as the valid subject of scientific research and as a useful clinical tool.tool.

Psychologists hold a wide variety of opinions on how to define Psychologists hold a wide variety of opinions on how to define hypnosis and on how hypnosis works.hypnosis and on how hypnosis works.

The vast majority of people can benefit from hypnosis The vast majority of people can benefit from hypnosis interventions.interventions.

Research indicates that hypnosis is very effective for treating a Research indicates that hypnosis is very effective for treating a wide range of clinical problems and symptoms, including pain, wide range of clinical problems and symptoms, including pain, anxiety, depression, obesity, and smoking. anxiety, depression, obesity, and smoking.

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Questions?Questions?