What Is Hypnosis - Describe the Psychological and Physical Aspects of Hypnosis and Discuss the Role of Relaxation in Hypnotherapy

"what is hypnosis?"

Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy.

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Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy.

This essay will explore the phenomenon that is hypnosis. I will begin by examining the history and background of hypnosis, its origination and how it was first practised. I will then illustrate my understanding of hypnosis by way of describing what hypnosis is and explaining what actually happens including the techniques used and the physical and psychological changes that take place. I will also discuss the role of relaxation and will touch on some of the reasons why people undergo hypnosis and the benefits hypnotherapy can provide.

To understand modern hypnosis it is necessary to look to the past in order to identify and trace its origins. Hypnosis has been used by every culture in one way or another throughout civilisation. The general view that was held for centuries was that hypnosis was some form of occult power that could be used to perform miracles or control minds. Throughout history there have been evidence of rituals and practises that look like hypnosis from a modern perspective from the 'healing passes' of the Hindu Vedas to the texts and sleeping temples from ancient Egypt including the Shamans who were considered witch doctors also Fakirs, Yogis, snake charmers and Eastern magicians who induced themselves and others in cataleptic states using mesmeric techniques were able to perform unusual physical feats and eliminate pain. Inductions were often accomplished by rhythmic chanting, monotonous drum beats, together with strained fixations of the eyes accompanied by cataleptic state of the rest of the body. These practises were often for magical or religious purposes such as communicating with Gods and spirits and were the scientific establishments of their day with exactly the same purposes as modern science, curing human ills and increasing knowledge. Hypnosis has not changed for millennia but our understanding of it and our ability to control it have changed greatly.

One of the decisive moments in the history of hypnosis occurred in the 18th century. The work of Franz Mesmer, amongst others, can be seen as the last of the 'occult' hypnosis and the first of the 'scientific' viewpoints. Mesmer was the first to suggest a rational basis for the effect of hypnosis. Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), an Austrian physician, is widely acknowledged as the 'Grandfather of Hypnosis' believed that there was a quasi-magnetic fluid in the air we breathe and that nerves in the body somehow absorbed this fluid. As a doctor, his main concern was how to effectively treat patients and he considered disease to be caused via a blockage of the circulation of this magnetic fluid in the blood and nervous system. Curing disease would, in his view, involve correcting the circulation of this liquid. Initially he used a magnet and later his hand which was passed over the diseased body in an attempt to unblock the magnetic flow. The hand (and later the eyes) was believed to unblock the fluid by increasing its amount and flow as his hand passed over the affected area. The term 'animal magnetism' was born and the procedure referred to as Mesmerism. Although we now know that his notion of 'animal magnetism', transferred from healer to patient through a mysterious etheric fluid is hopelessly wrong and his procedures were needlessly flamboyant, it was though firmly based on scientific ideas current at the time, in particular Isaac Newton's theories of gravitation. Mesmer was also the first to develop a consistent method for hypnosis which was passed on and developed by his followers. It was though still a very ritualistic practise. The popular image of the hypnotist as a charismatic figure can be firmly dated to this time. Inevitably it was Mesmer's magical trappings that led to his downfall and for a long time hypnotism was a dangerous interest to have for anyone looking for a mainstream career.

The fact remained that hypnosis worked and the 19th Century is characterised by individuals seeking to understand and apply its effects. Surgeons and physicians like John Elliotson (1791 - 1868) and James Esdaille (1808 - 1859) pioneered its use in the medical field, risking their reputation to do so, whilst researchers like James Braid (1870 - 1950) began to peel away the layers of mesmerism revealing the physical and biological truths at the heart of the phenomenon. Thanks to their persistence by the end of century hypnosis was accepted as a valid clinical technique, studied and applied in the hospitals of the day. This trend continued into the 20th Century and the centre of the hypnotic studies moved from Europe to America where all the most significant breakthroughs of the 20th Century took place.

Hypnosis became a popular phenomenon and was increasingly available to the layman. The style of hypnosis also changed from a direct instruction from an authoritarian figure (a legacy of the charismatic mesmerist) to a more indirect and permissive style of trance induction based on subtly persuasive language. Hypnosis became increasing practical and regarded as a useful tool for easing psychological distress and bringing about profound change in a variety of situations, this has continued up to the present day.

My understanding of Hypnosis is that it is a state of relaxation together with a state of heightened awareness induced by suggestion. Hypnosis involves, more than anything else, a change in a person's attention, concentration and focus. It is a form of dissociation in which the mind narrows and becomes so focused on one thing that it ignores everything else. A naturally occurring example of this could be a car journey when you realise you have reached your destination but do not recall passing certain places on the way and wonder how you got there so quickly. This is made possible by the work of your subconscious mind. Everything you have previously learned including life experiences, belief systems, memories and skills including our non - voluntary bodily functions are stored in your subconscious. When your conscious mind is focused on something, engrossed in thought or conversation or enjoying participating in activities