Hypnosis Effects

Introduction
This article encompasses a number of previous studies which were conducted on the effects of hypnosis. Most of the articles were collected from Google Scholar, Directory of Journal Articles (DOAJ) and ProQuest using Hypnosis and effects of hypnosis as the key terms. The following paragraphs run through a small summary about hypnosis and about the review of the other articles.
What Is Hypnosis?
The American Psychological Association describes hypnosis as a “cooperative interaction in which the participants responds to the suggestions of the hypnotist.” (Van Wagner, K. What Is Hypnosis?.), though definitions might vary. “Hypnosis is a therapeutic technique in which clinicians make suggestions to individuals who have undergone a procedure designed to relax them and focus their minds.” (“Hypnosis”, APA, 2015). Once relegated to the
realm of the supernatural, hypnosis is increasingly accepted as a legitimate therapeutic procedure (Kirsch, Lynn & Rhue, 1993). It is also referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion. People utilising hypnosis, will go to a trance-like state which helps develop focus, high suggestibility and vivid fantasies.
How Did It Develop?
For centuries, this was seen as a supernatural power which helped mesmerise people. Mesmer was the first to develop a strong idea of hypnosis. Few researchers and physicians risked their reputations and pioneered its use in the medical field. (History of Hypnosis, 2012). In the 20th century, Hypnosis gained recognition as a common therapeutic practice. Hypnosis has been used clinically for hundreds of years and it involves attentive receptive concentration. (Fan, Posner, Raz &Shapiro, 2002) It has still not been exploited of its effects.
How Does It Work?
Most therapists believe that hypnotic inductions produce an altered state of consciousness in susceptible individuals (Kirsch et al, 1993).
It deals with the unconscious mind to shape our perception of reality. It is achieved when people achieve a relaxed state of mind and body with guidance.
Effects Of Hypnosis
Many psychologists today, agree that it is one of the most efficient techniques in therapy which can help enhance concentration, attention and can relieve people from stress, pain and anxiety. It can impact physical, psychological/mental and emotional health and wellbeing of a person. It is equally effective in helping people change their mannerisms or habits.
Various studies have been conducted on the effect of hypnosis and a number of physical conditions like Insomnia (Anbar & Slothower, 2006), Obesity (Allison & Faith, 1996), Metastatic Breast carcinoma (Bloom & Speigel, 1983), Pregnancy and child birth (Andrew, Cyna & McAuliffe, 2002), invasive medical procedures (Butler, Henderson, Shortliffe, Spiegel & Symons, 2005; Accardi & Milling, 2009), visceral pain (Calvert, Cooper, Houghton, Jackson & Whorwell, 2004
).
Most of the studies showed a positive relation with hypnosis expect for the meta-analytic study with obesity (Allison & Faith, 1996) which showed that even when the subjects were followed up on a long term, there were no significant changes with or without hypnotic sessions when taken along with CBT ; whereas the study on Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) and Hypnosis (Kirsch, Guy Montgomery & Sapirstein, 1995) showed that there was a vast difference between people who took only CBT and who took CBT and hypnosis together. In fact, the former study was based on the latter study.
Most of the studies show that hypnosis can minimize pain, stress and anxiety and can help resolves distressful situations as well as somatic or non-somantic conditions in the case of insomnia. It also decreases the procedural time when it comes to labour and invasive medical conditions.
Hypnotic dreams (Barrett, 1979), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Kirsch, Guy Montgomery & Sapirstein, 1995) and Stroop Interference (Fan, Posner, Raz &Shapiro, 2002) and their relationship with hypnosis was also examined. The first study showed that hypnotic dreams were related to nocturnal dreams in deep tance as against day dreams and hypnotic dreams lied somewhere in between night and day dreams in medium trance. The last study was based on how hypnosis altered the stroop interference of proficient readers, wherein it eliminates the possibility of stroop interference for highly suggestible people.
Conclusion and Suggestion
Misconceptions revolve around the field of hypnosis. To clarify, a hypnotist doesn’t exercise control over the patient and it can be performed only with voluntary participation. (Van Wagner, K. What Is Hypnosis?.) A number of times, it is still associated to a person holding a clock which runs to and fro.
Though all the researches try to minimise error, generalisation of a phenomenon over a wide range of population gives rise to errors. To overcome this problem, surveys can be conducted over different classes of population. It has a wide scope in helping people withstand their sensations. Most of the research articles grade this procedure as one of the best to diminish pain and related sensations. A growing emphasis on empirically supported therapies and evidence-based practice underscores the exciting potential of hypnosis as a tool for clinicians. (Accardi & Milling, 2009)
References
Accardi, M. C., & Milling, L. S. (2009). The effectiveness of hypnosis for reducing procedure-related pain in children and adolescents: a comprehensive methodological review. Journal of behavioural medicine, 32(4), 328-339. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10865-009-9207-6
Allison, D. B., & Faith, M. S. (1996). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy for obesity: a meta-analytic reappraisal. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 64(3), 513. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.64.3.513
Anbar, R. D., & Slothower, M. P. (2006). Hypnosis for treatment of insomnia in school-age children: a retrospective chart review. BMC pediatrics, 6(1), 23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-6-23
Andrew, M. I., Cyna, A. M., & McAuliffe, G. L. (2004). Hypnosis for pain relief in labour and childbirth: a systematic review. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 93(4), 505-511. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bja/aeh225
APA Website. Hypnosis. Retrieved on August 8, 2015, from http://www.apa.org/topics/hypnosis/index.aspx
Barrett, D. (1979). The hypnotic dream: Its relation to nocturnal dreams and waking fantasies. Journal of abnormal Psychology, 88(5), 584. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.88.5.584
Bloom, J. R., & Spiegel, D. (1983). Group therapy and hypnosis reduce metastatic breast carcinoma pain. Psychosomatic medicine, 45(4), 333-339. Retrieved from http://empresa.rediris.es/pub/bscw.cgi/d4999766/Spiegel-Group_therapy_hypnosis_reduce_metastatic_breast_carcinoma_pain.pdf
Butler, L. D., Henderson, S. L., Shortliffe, L. D., Spiegel, D., & Symons, B. K. (2005). Hypnosis reduces distress and duration of an invasive medical procedure for children. Pediatrics, 115(1), e77-e85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2004-0818
Cooper, P., Calvert, E. L., Houghton, L. A., Jackson, N. A., & Whorwell, P. J. (2002). Visceral sensation and emotion: a study using hypnosis. Gut, 51(5), 701-704. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gut.51.5.701
Fan, J., Posner, M. I., Raz, A., & Shapiro, T. (2002). Hypnotic suggestion and the modulation of Stroop interference. Archives of General Psychiatry, 59(12), 1155-1161. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.59.12.1155
History of Hypnosis (2012). Retrieved on 8-8-2015 from http://www.historyofhypnosis.org/
Kirsch, I., Montgomery, G., & Sapirstein, G. (1995). Hypnosis as an adjunct to cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy: a meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and clinical Psychology, 63(2), 214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.63.2.214
Rhue, J. W., Lynn, S. J. E., & Kirsch, I. E. (1993). Handbook of clinical hypnosis. American Psychological Association. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/10274-000
Van Wagner, K. What Is Hypnosis?. Retrieved on 8-8-2015 from http://isibox.ir/pdf/ravanshenasi/What%20Is%20Hypnosis,%20Hypnosis%20Applications,%20Effects%20and%20Myths.pdf