Hypnotism Health Dictionary

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Hypnotism: From 2 Different Sources

The process of producing a state of mind known as hypnosis. Although recognised for hundreds of years, the precise nature of this process is still poorly understood. One modern writer has de?ned hypnosis as ‘a temporary condition of altered attention, the most striking feature of which is greatly increased suggestibility’. There is no evidence, as has been claimed, that women can be more easily hypnotised than men; in fact, children and young adults are the more easily hypnotised, with middle-aged people being more resistant.

Hypnosis is induced by various methods, but the basis of all is some rhythmic stimulus accompanied by the repetition of carefully worded suggestions. The most commonly used method is to ask the patient to ?x his or her eye on a given spot, or light, and then to keep on repeating, in a quiet and soothing voice, that the patient’s eyes will gradually become tired and that he or she will want to close them.

There are various levels of hypnosis, usually classi?ed as light, medium, and deep, and it has been estimated that 10 per cent of people cannot be hypnotised; 35 per cent can be taken into light hypnosis; 35 per cent into medium hypnosis; and 20 per cent into deep hypnosis.

Hypnosis can be used as a treatment for some psychiatric patients and in some people with psychosomatic conditions in which emotional or psychological disturbances precipitate physical disorders such as skin lesions or headaches. Hypnosis may help to relieve pain in childbirth; asthma may also respond to it. Some people may ?nd hypnosis to be of help in overcoming addictions to smoking, alcohol or gambling. The process has associated risks, and its use in treatment should be by doctors trained in the technique.

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Abreaction

An emotional release caused by the recall of past unpleasant experiences. This is normally the result of psychoanalytical treatment in which psychotherapy, certain drugs, or hypnosis (see HYPNOTISM) are used to e?ect the abreaction. The technique is used in the treatment of anxiety, hysteria, or other neurotic states.... abreaction

Hysteria

An out-of-date description for a symptom (or symptoms) with no obvious organic cause, which is an unconscious reaction and from which the person may bene?t. It is now recognised as a dissociative disorder: such disorders – AMNESIA, FUGUE, multiple personality states and trancelike conditions – are powerful defence mechanisms against severe stress when a patient is unable to cope with a particular problem or problems. Symptoms can also mimic physical conditions: for example, apparent paralysis or inability to speak (mutism). Mass hysteria is a phenomenon characterised by extreme suggestibility in a group of often emotionally charged people.

The name originates from the ancient idea that hysteria – a Greek-based word for ‘UTERUS’

– was in some way associated with the womb. Hence the old-fashioned association of hysteria with women, and with supposed sexual disturbances. Doctors should make sure there is not a physical disease present to explain the symptoms before diagnosing a dissociative disorder. Most subside spontaneously, but if not, the individual needs psychiatric advice. Treatment is di?cult. Reasons for stress should be explored and, if possible, resolved. Hypnosis (see HYPNOTISM) to help the person to relive stressful episodes – known as ABREACTION – may be of value.... hysteria

Mesmerism

See HYPNOTISM.... mesmerism

Psychotherapy

A psychological rather than physical method for the treatment of psychological and psychiatric disorders (see PSYCHOLOGY; PSYCHIATRY). Almost every type of disease or injury has a mental aspect, even if this relates only to the pain or discomfort that it causes. In some diseases, and with some temperaments, the mental factor is much more pronounced than in others; for such cases psychotherapy is particularly important. The chief methods employed all depend on the client-therapist relationship being of prime importance.

Suggestion is a commonly employed method, used in almost every department of medicine. It may consist, in its simplest form, merely of emphasising that the patient’s health is better, so that this idea becomes ?xed in the patient’s mind. A suggestion of e?cacy may be conveyed by the physical properties of a medicine or by the appearance of some apparatus used in treatment. Again, suggestion may be conveyed emotionally, as in religious healing. Sometimes a therapeutic suggestion may be made to the patient in a hypnotic state (see HYPNOTISM).

Analysis consists in the elucidation of the half-conscious or subconscious repressed memories or instincts that are responsible for some cases of mental disorder or personal con?icts.

Group therapy is a method whereby patients are treated in small groups and encouraged to participate actively in the discussion which ensues amongst themselves and the participating therapists. A modi?cation of group therapy is drama therapy. Large group therapy also exists.

Education and employment may be important factors in rehabilitative psychotherapy.

Supportive therapy consists of sympathetically reviewing the patient’s situation with him or her, and encouraging the patient to identify and solve problems.... psychotherapy

Trance

A profound SLEEP from which a person cannot for a time be aroused, but which is not due to organic disease. The power of voluntary movement is lost, although sensibility and even consciousness may remain. It is a disturbance in mental functions and may be associated with CATALEPSY, AUTOMATISM and petit mal EPILEPSY. A trance may be induced by HYPNOTISM. (See also ECSTASY).... trance

Hypnotics

Herbs that relieve anxiety and induce normal sleep without unpleasant after-effects. No association with hypnotism. Aniseed, Cowslip, Hops, Fennel seeds, Jamaican Dogwood, Ladyslipper, Mistletoe, Passion flower, Skullcap, Wild Lettuce, Valerian. ... hypnotics

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