Hypnosis: Definition, Uses and Common Myths - Term Paper Example

Hypnosis: Definition, Uses and Common Myths Hypnosis refers to a of intense mental relaxation and concentration. The mind gets into a remotely detached from daily concerns and activities. In the relaxed state the subconscious mind responds creatively to imagery and instructions. The mind may focus on activities one may wish to change and the best ways in which he can achieve this change. This is stimulated by the fact that in a hypnotic state, one is free from anxiety and analytical thoughts. One is in an altered level of consciousness and they just let things happen without controlling their thoughts or actions. The effects of hypnosis are varied with different people. While some people feel like they were in a state of relaxation, others may be detachment while in a hypnotic state. Some people act outside their conscious volition and thus out of control of their action and thought. Others feel normal and are in control and fully aware of their actions. Such individuals are able to carry on a meaningful conversation. Ernest Hilgard did experiments to demonstrate how perception can be dramatically altered by hypnosis. A hypnotized person was instructed not to feel pain on the arm which was placed in ice water. The observation was that this individual did not feel pain even as the people who were not hypnotized felt the pain from the iced water after a few seconds. Hypnosis can be used for medical treatment for various chronic pain and episodes like rheumatoid arthritis. It is used to relieve the patients of acute pain whenever it becomes too much to bear. It may also be used to reduce pain during child birth. This enable women to give birth without unnecessary acute pain especially in situations of birth complications such as the mother being too tired to push. I t may also be used to reduce dementia symptoms and thus facilitate treatment. Hypnotherapy is also used to reduce the effects of certain signs and symptoms of attention deficiency syndrome. Cancer patients undergoing therapy can also benefit from hypnosis. They can be hypnotized to reduce vomiting and nausea as they undergo chemotherapy sessions. During dental procedures, hypnosis may be used to reduce and control pain. Hypnosis may also be used to eliminate the pain that come with irritable bowel syndrome. Can anyone be hypnotized? Research indicates that many people who think they cannot be hypnotized are in fact good candidates for the same. It is proven that fifteen percent of adults are capable of being hypnotized. Children are more likely to fall victims of hypnosis than adults. Only ten percent of adults are said to resist hypnosis and thus cannot be compelled mentally. It is easier for people who like fantasies to fall victims of hypnosis. There are various myths that surround hypnosis. One such myth is that a hypnotist has the ability to turn people into objects and play silly and embarrassing tricks on people. A stage hypnotist may trick people to get the attention as this is his profession. It is expected of him to use tricks to entertain people. A professional hypnotist may not engage in trickery and silly things s this may be confusing to the patient yet the aim of the process is to get therapy for the patient. Stage and clinical hypnosis are two very different disciplines. However, the two processes work because the subject is willing to participate with the hypnotist (Hilgard 1970). There is a myth that one has to be weak minded to be hypnotized. This is a wrong notion as anyone can be hypnotized consciously or unconsciously. Some form of trance state is experienced each time imagination is engaged. The constant engagement of emotions, focuses our attention on our subjective experiences. A person’s strength of mind has nothing to do with them falling in a trance. A person who is strong minded will just make a poor subject for hypnosis. However, if he cooperates with the hypnotist, he will make a perfect subject for hypnosis. Despite this hypnosis can help a person’s mind grow stronger as it helps them gain more control their mind and body. Some people may think that when someone is hypnotized, they fall asleep. Hypnotherapists have suggested that sleep may induce a person to fall into a trance but this is different from a person being in deep sleep during hypnosis. Use of sleep to induce hypnosis is not a common practice to avoid confusing the subject on what hypnosis aims to achieve. Deep relaxation instead of sleep is recommended by hypnotherapists. Another common myth is that people think that hypnotists swing watches to put a subject into a trance. This is one of the methods of hypnosis but is rarely used and is only used upon request by the subject. Clinical hypnotists may not engage in this practice. They use safe and recommended methods that will achieve therapy for their patients without confusing them. A stage hypnotist may use this method to entertain his audience and achieve hypnosis faster. A myth that suggests that people sometimes can get stuck in a trance is purely misplaced. On very rare occasions, a subject may take longer time to regain full consciousness. This, however does not mean they are stuck in a trance. They take longer because they are enjoying their relaxed state of mind. It is also wrong for people to think that a subject may get stuck in a trance if something bad happens to the hypnotist. Hypnotists have no control over their subject. In fact, self-hypnosis is possible! Other misplaced myths include the notion that one can reveal their deepest secrets in a trance and that hypnotherapists have special powers. Others are that someone in a trance cannot hear the hypnotist and that hypnosis is disastrous events such as fire. III. We Learn To See The human mind is not often a camera and this makes seeing not to be a passive activity. Therefore, this statement can be interpreted to mean that Individuals see what they expect/ anticipate to see. As such, an individual’s perception is determined by his/her perceptual set and past experiences. Works Cited Hilgard, Josephine Rohrs. Personality and hypnosis: A study of imaginative involvement. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1970. Print Read More