What is hypnosis in psychology?
The term “hypnosis” refers to a technique that manipulates the subconscious mind to achieve a desired result. Hypnosis is used in a variety of settings to achieve specific objectives, such as changing one’s habitual patterns of behavior or controlling an addiction. Its effectiveness is based on a patient’s responses and differs from a laboratory setting, where subjects are typically induced to comply with a particular protocol.
Stage hypnosis
Although the exact mechanism of how stage hypnotists induce a state of trance is not clear, this practice has many similarities to ordinary hypnosis. A hypnotist works by convincing a subject to conform to his or her instructions through the use of a microphone. Some stage hypnotists may begin their performance by fooling the participants’ senses, claiming to be able to influence them by means of supernatural powers.
For one, stage hypnosis utilizes suggestibility and depth testing. Knowing the level of suggestibility of a volunteer helps the hypnotist choose a more receptive audience. In a clinical setting, a hypnotherapist may use this test as a warm-up, to decide which therapy techniques will work best for the person. In other words, the stage hypnotist uses the suggestibility test to decide which subjects are receptive and who will not be.
For several years, Kreskin experimented with volunteers and concluded that hypnosis was natural and simply a response to simple suggestion. In addition to actively debunking stage hypnosis, he offered a $25,000 reward to anyone who could provide proof that a person was under a hypnotic trance. That money has been challenged three times. But the reward is still there.
The stage hypnotist also plays on the vanity of his audience. Because everyone wants to look smart, he or she can announce that he or she can only hypnotize intelligent people. If the audience doesn’t fall under the hypnotist’s spell, they’re stupid. So, they don’t want to come back to reality! They’d rather remain under the influence of the hypnotist, despite the fact that they’re aware of it.
Clinical hypnosis
Clinical hypnosis in psychology is an effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions. It is used for pain relief, to manage symptoms, to change beliefs, and to reinforce desired outcomes. Hypnosis is also used to relieve pain associated with childbirth, cancer treatments, fibromyalgia, and pregnancy. It has also been used to relieve symptoms of menopause and hot flashes. It is also used to treat phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The practice of hypnosis is unique in that it is tailored to each patient’s needs. In other words, hypnosis is designed to work on the emotional level, where patients operate at a subconscious level. Moreover, the motivation for hypnosis is different from the motivation required for a laboratory situation. It is a powerful tool in treating addictions and habitual behaviors. However, it should not be regarded as a cure for everything.
The benefits of hypnosis are numerous. A recent study comparing the results of 13 hypnosis trials found that hypnosis treatment reduced chronic pain, a condition that lasts at least 6 months and causes considerable suffering. Patients are also taught self-hypnosis techniques. It can help patients reduce the pain associated with conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer, and lower back pain.
In recent years, hypnosis has gained widespread acceptance in the field of psychology. It has proven to be a powerful therapeutic tool for many people, including those suffering from anxiety and depression. People who are under hypnosis can overcome bad habits, confront past trauma, remember things they have purposefully forgotten, and experience lower levels of stress. Forensic psychologists may use hypnosis as an adjunct to other treatments.
Neuropsychological theories of hypnosis
Many psychological experts have explored the relationship between hypnosis and cognition. Cognitive-behavioural theories, such as the social-cognitive theory, view hypnosis as a form of altered consciousness facilitated by expectations and social roles. Others see hypnosis as a way to achieve certain personal goals or to meet social expectations. The neuropsychological theories that underlie hypnosis are discussed below.
Among the neuropsychological theories of hypnosis, the laterality hypothesis is based on the Romantic idea of cerebral hemispheres. It contrasts the logical, sequential, and analytical view of the left. This theory, while ultimately proving to be simplistic, provided a powerful stimulus for the study of the neural substrates of hypnosis. However, there is considerable debate about whether the laterality hypothesis is the right one.
While many researchers have proposed different models of hypnosis, the dissociation theory remains the most popular among researchers. This theory states that hypnosis involves splitting of consciousness, with each person experiencing a split in consciousness. While dissociation is difficult to prove in humans, it is possible to measure the degree of investment in hypnosis, suggestibility, and mental concentration. Dissociation is when the control over a person’s behavior separates from their awareness. Hence, dissociated individuals have higher risk of responding to autonomic reflex behaviors.
The social influence theory suggests that people follow the suggestions of the hypnotist. If the client is relaxed and trusts the hypnotist, hypnosis is legitimate. But if the hypnotist strips them of the power of suggestion, the hypnotized person loses the trance. As a result, the social influence theory shows that hypnosis is an extension of normal social and cognitive processes.
Self-hypnosis
Many people are familiar with self-hypnosis, but do they understand how it works? There are a few key steps to achieving a hypnotic state, and they may not realize that they are in one. First, find a quiet, comfortable place. If possible, turn off the television, cell phone, or doorbell. Then, relax your body and mind. Prepare your suggestion, and repeat it aloud, slowly and deeply.
Repetition is key to the process of self-hypnosis. Advertising professionals understand the power of suggestion and they often repeat the commercial several times. The same principle applies to self-hypnosis: repetition increases the chances of change. During the hypnotic state, the subconscious mind is primed to receive the new thoughts that it has stored. This leads to change in behavior. While self-hypnosis may seem like an easy solution, it requires a lot of practice and perseverance.
When you practice self-hypnosis, make sure you choose a specific goal. Then, write them down on paper. Make sure they are specific and attainable. Break down long-term goals into small, manageable steps. Next, formulate your hypnotic suggestions and follow the rules of post-hypnotic suggestions. Writing them down is effective, as visual lists are more likely to be retained. Self-hypnosis can also help you get to sleep.
Researchers have found that self-hypnosis has tremendous potential in the treatment of a wide variety of disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic dyspnea. The effects are comparable to those seen with a gold-standard diet and can also be used to relieve the stress of chronic pain. Self-hypnosis can even be a useful therapy for treating depression and phobias. The practice of self-hypnosis can even reduce the effects of a cancer diagnosis.
Hypnotherapy for overweight and obese patients
In recent decades, the obesity epidemic has hit epidemic proportions on a global scale. The World Health Organization has found that 1.9 billion adults worldwide are overweight and obese, and this figure represents 39% of the total population. The consequences of being overweight or obese include increased risk for cardiovascular disease, accelerated cellular aging, and colon and rectum cancer. Furthermore, obesity is associated with increased depression, with an estimated 55% increase in cases. Hypnotherapy has been shown to be a valuable part of this approach.
The prevalence of obesity is a major challenge for societies worldwide. In addition to the increasing prevalence of obesity, it is also associated with poor compliance with conventional treatment, resulting in high rates of relapse. Hypnotherapy is an alternative, safe treatment for obese and overweight patients, but not all patients are willing to accept it. In the present study, the acceptability of hypnotherapy for weight loss was determined and compared among selected socio-demographics. Data were collected through a convenience sampling method. The analysis of the data included the use of SPSS 23.0 and statistical analysis.
Although the results of these studies were mixed, the researchers noted that the hypnotherapy group had significantly greater weight loss than the other two groups. However, these results do not mean much if the study included 60 patients. The average weight loss was 3.8 kilos higher than the rest of the population. Further reviews will look at these results with skepticism. Hypnotherapy for overweight and obese patients can be a valuable addition to any treatment program.
While it is difficult to pinpoint which hypnotherapy is best for overweight and obese patients, there are several benefits of it. A hypnotherapist will use verbal repetitions and mental image prompting to change the patient’s thoughts. These suggestions are meant to help the patient reduce food intake and build a healthy relationship with exercise and food. They will also encourage the patient to quit smoking. Hypnotherapy for overweight and obese patients is effective for smoking cessation.
