Chrysalis Year One What is Hypnosis?
“What is Hypnosis?” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy.
‘No-one really knows what hypnosis is; this is part of the attraction of the view that there really is no such thing.’ (Waterfield 2011, Introduction)
Hypnosis, as a term and as a practice, is shrouded in centuries of mystery and surrounded by misconception. Even the word itself, derived from the Greek ‘hypnos’, meaning sleep, is misleading; most people today, even if they hadn’t experienced it themselves, would recognise that being in a hypnotic state is not the same as being asleep. In order to reach a satisfactory definition of hypnosis, it is necessary therefore to explore its origins, examine its physical and psychological effects, and perhaps explode a few myths along the way. There is some disagreement about when the first known cases of hypnosis occurred in history. Oriental, Aborigine and Ancient Egyptian cultures all appear, from many centuries ago, to have featured practices which we might identify as being akin to hypnosis. However, from relatively recent history, most acknowledge that Franz Anton Mesmer was ‘the grandfather of hypnosis’ (Chrysalis Module One, course notes). Mesmer became famous in the 18th century for his theory of ‘animal magnetism’; he believed that magnets could be used for healing based on the idea that ‘the fluid [in a person’s body] ebbed and flowed according to the laws of magnetism’ (Chrysalis course notes). He later progressed to using other techniques to impact this magnetic flow, including having patients hold iron rods in a container of water, and enjoyed considerable renown, but was eventually discredited. Mesmer’s influence, however, outlived him and subsequent practitioners came to realise that the success he did have in treating ailments was probably due less to magnetism and more to suggestion. Various doctors working in the 19th century, among them Dr James
‘No-one really knows what hypnosis is; this is part of the attraction of the view that there really is no such thing.’ (Waterfield 2011, Introduction)
Hypnosis, as a term and as a practice, is shrouded in centuries of mystery and surrounded by misconception. Even the word itself, derived from the Greek ‘hypnos’, meaning sleep, is misleading; most people today, even if they hadn’t experienced it themselves, would recognise that being in a hypnotic state is not the same as being asleep. In order to reach a satisfactory definition of hypnosis, it is necessary therefore to explore its origins, examine its physical and psychological effects, and perhaps explode a few myths along the way. There is some disagreement about when the first known cases of hypnosis occurred in history. Oriental, Aborigine and Ancient Egyptian cultures all appear, from many centuries ago, to have featured practices which we might identify as being akin to hypnosis. However, from relatively recent history, most acknowledge that Franz Anton Mesmer was ‘the grandfather of hypnosis’ (Chrysalis Module One, course notes). Mesmer became famous in the 18th century for his theory of ‘animal magnetism’; he believed that magnets could be used for healing based on the idea that ‘the fluid [in a person’s body] ebbed and flowed according to the laws of magnetism’ (Chrysalis course notes). He later progressed to using other techniques to impact this magnetic flow, including having patients hold iron rods in a container of water, and enjoyed considerable renown, but was eventually discredited. Mesmer’s influence, however, outlived him and subsequent practitioners came to realise that the success he did have in treating ailments was probably due less to magnetism and more to suggestion. Various doctors working in the 19th century, among them Dr James
Bibliography: Josie Hadley and Carol Staudacher, Hypnosis for Change (Third Edition), New Harbinger, 1996 Michael Heap, Hypnotherapy: A Handbook (Second Edition), OUP, 2011 Helmut W.A. Karle and Jennifer H. Boys, Hypnotherapy: A Practical Handbook, Free Association Books, 2010 Robin Waterfield, Hidden Depths: The Story of Hypnosis, Kindle edition, 2011 Chrysalis Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Year One - Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills - Module One, course notes Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org