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Hypnotherapy - Sorcery Or Science?

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Introduction

The field of science and medicine is often full of skeptics. Men and women of science need hard evidence before they can give anything their stamp of approval. Thus, it is no surprise that German physician Franz Mesmer faced a lot of resistance when he proposed his animal magnetism theory<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>.&nbsp;

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As per his theory, all human beings have a magnetic fluid flowing through their bodies. Any blockage in the flow of this fluid or any disruptions in its balance can be linked to illness. He believed that through a sequence of touch and gestures, one could induce a trance-like state in patients and transmit the fluid from the healer to the patients. This phenomenon was also known as mesmerism<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.&nbsp;

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Mesmer would often travel around cities, demonstrating his skills and treating patients suffering from convulsions, <a href="merisehat.pk/disease/acute-flaccid-paralysis">paralysis</a>, and even menstrual problems. Although his technique showed success, his theory was discredited. However, his method did intrigue physicians and they began to research magnetism. Modern-day hypnosis is believed to have emerged from Mesmer&rsquo;s theory.&nbsp;

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The world first heard of hypnosis during the 1800s. A Scottish ophthalmologist, known as James Braid, coined the word after the Greek God of sleep, Hypnos<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>. Unlike Mesmer, he would induce a trance-like state in his patients by making them focus on various objects placed at different distances from the face. Using his modified technique, Braid was able to treat several patients with medical conditions ranging from headaches to paralysis.&nbsp;

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Although hypnosis was regarded with doubt at the time, Braid&rsquo;s work helped establish it as a valid clinical technique, apt for use by medical professionals. So much so that during World War I and II, hypnosis was used for the treatment of soldiers experiencing combat neuroses.&nbsp;

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Since its discovery, hypnosis has demonstrated immense potential for treating various medical, psychological, dental, and psychiatric disorders. But, is hypnotherapy really beneficial? Or, does it involve some risks?

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Understanding The Pros And Cons Of Hypnotherapy

The American Psychological Association defines hypnotherapy as a &lsquo;state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion&rsquo;.&nbsp;

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Also called hypnosis, the trance-like state allows greater concentration and focus. As a result, patients are more responsive to suggestions, especially those meant to improve their current state of health.

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Through the help of a trained and certified hypnotherapist, they can access their subconscious and alter or replace the thoughts contributing to their behavior or medical condition.&nbsp;

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A hypnotic session has 4 stages: induction, deepener, suggestions, and emergence. If you are opting for hypnotherapy, here&rsquo;s what you can expect:

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<h5>1. Induction&nbsp;</h5>

A trained hypnotherapist will use several techniques to guide you through this stage. The aim is to help you relax until your eyes close from deep relaxation, which is a state of hypnotic trance.&nbsp;

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A hypnotherapist may use the following techniques for induction:

<ul>
	<li>Controlled breathing &ndash; this method involves inhaling for a count of 7 and exhaling for a count of 11.</li>
	<li>Muscle relaxation &ndash; as you breathe in, your muscles tense up and as you breathe out you relax the particular muscle group. This is repeated for various muscle groups throughout the body.</li>
	<li>Focusing on an object &ndash; you focus on an object or a visual image until your eyelids feel heavy and begin to close.</li>
</ul>

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It is important to note that a person is more responsive to the induction stage when they are willing and cooperative. Therefore, many hypnotists will first&nbsp; spend time forming a rapport with you to gain your trust and increase the effectiveness of the procedure.

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<h5>2. Deepener&nbsp;</h5>

This is a continuation of the first stage and aims to deepen the relaxation level. Through similar techniques as earlier, your hypnotic trance is deepened to make you more responsive to suggestions.

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<h5>3. Suggestions&nbsp;</h5>

Once you are in a deep hypnotic state, the hypnotherapist starts to make suggestions. Using imagery and leading questions they will try to either resolve a symptom or explore your thoughts and experiences that they believe are causing the symptoms.&nbsp;

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For example, the hypnotherapist may ask you leading questions to get you to talk about a past traumatic event and then offer therapy to counter the associated behaviors or symptoms.&nbsp;

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Moreover, for addictions like smoking, this stage will help identify triggers and stop the habit.&nbsp;

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<h5>4. Emergence&nbsp;</h5>

This is the termination stage and aims to bring you out of your hypnotic state. The most common method used is either counting backwards from 5 to 1 or counting forwards from 1 to 5.&nbsp;

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Over the years, hypnosis has been used for a wide variety of medical and psychological problems. These include:

<ul>
	<li>Chronic pain</li>
	<li>Anxiety and depression</li>
	<li>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)</li>
	<li>Bedwetting</li>
	<li>Eating disorders</li>
	<li>Addictions such as smoking</li>
	<li>Phobias</li>
	<li>Fibromyalgia</li>
	<li>Insomnia</li>
	<li>Psoriasis</li>
	<li>Migraines</li>
</ul>

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A systematic review of several meta-analyses showed medical hypnosis to be safe and effective for reducing pain and stress during medical interventions<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>. Moreover, hypnotherapy is known to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.&nbsp;

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Although hypnosis is commonly used for smoking cessation, researchers have been unable to find evidence of the therapy being better than other interventions<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>.&nbsp;

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Hypnotherapy has also been helpful in treating PTSD symptoms and conditions such as depression and anxiety<a href="#accordion">[6]</a>. Moreover, it is an effective pain management tool for cancer patients or those with terminal diseases<a href="#accordion">[7]</a>.&nbsp;

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While hypnosis has shown several benefits, self-hypnosis training, too, is a promising alternative. As the name suggests, self hypnosis includes practicing hypnosis but minus the therapist and has shown to be effective especially for chronic pain management in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).&nbsp;

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A study conducted in 2009 compared the effects of self-hypnosis therapy with progressive muscle relaxation in MS patients with chronic pain<a href="#accordion">[8]</a>. Patients who had received hypnosis training reported a significant decrease in pain, at the 3-month follow-up, compared to those who did not receive the training.&nbsp;

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Although research has revealed several benefits of hypnosis, the therapy does not come without its share of risks. Adverse effects, such as headaches, seizures, confusion, and even episodes of schizophrenia have been reported post-hypnosis<a href="#accordion">[9]</a>.&nbsp;

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Since hypnosis enables people to revisit painful memories associated with past trauma, it can lead to further distress and anxiety<a href="#accordion">[9]</a>. Therefore, hypnosis is often contraindicated in people experiencing hallucinations and delusions. Moreover, there is a risk of creating false memories in people, especially when practiced by an untrained therapist.&nbsp;

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Conclusion

Despite the benefits, hypnotherapy continues to be surrounded by several myths and misinformation. Many people believe that the patient is helpless, and that hypnosis involves completely surrendering to the will of the therapist. However, hypnosis is not a mind control method and the therapist cannot make you do things against your wishes. Nevertheless, it is important to consult a trained and experienced hypnotherapist before giving hypnosis a try.&nbsp;

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Hypnotherapy, also called hypnosis, is a trance-like state that allows greater concentration and focus. This heightened level of focus and concentration allows patients to be more responsive to suggestions guided at improving their current state of health.</li>
	<li>A hypnotic session has 4 stages: induction, deepener, suggestions, and emergence. A person is more responsive to the induction stage when they are willing and cooperative. Therefore, many hypnotists will spend time forming a rapport with their patients to gain their trust and increase the effectiveness of the procedure.</li>
	<li>Hypnosis can treat various medical and psychological problems such as PTSD, anxiety and depression, chronic pain, migraines, phobias, insomnia, addictions (for example, smoking), and psoriasis.</li>
	<li>Although there are no adverse events associated with hypnosis per se,however, some people experience drowsiness, headaches, or dizziness post hypnosis. Moreover, there is a risk of the creation of false memories.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>If you are suffering from any medical or psychological condition and want to try hypnosis, remember to go to a trained and licensed hypnotherapist.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

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[1] Radovancević L. Doprinos pionira hipnoterapije--Dr. Franza Antona Mesmera u povijesti psihoterapije i medicine [The tribute of the pioneer of hypnotherapy--Franz Anton Mesmer, MD, PhD in the history of psychotherapy and medicine]. Acta Med Hist Adriat. 2009;7(1):49-60.

[2] A history of hypnosis: From Ancient Times to modern psychology. Hypnosis History.

[3] Elkins GR, Barabasz AF, Council JR, Spiegel D. Advancing research and practice: the revised APA Division 30 definition of hypnosis. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2015;63(1):1-9. doi:10.1080/00207144.2014.961870

[4] Häuser W, Hagl M, Schmierer A, Hansen E. The efficacy, safety and applications of Medical Hypnosis: A systematic review of Meta-analyses. Deutsches Ärzteblatt international. 2016. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0289

[5] Barnes J, McRobbie H, Dong CY, Walker N, Hartmann-Boyce J. Hypnotherapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2019;6(6):CD001008. Published 2019 Jun 14. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001008.pub3

[6] Jensen MP, Jamieson GA, Lutz A, et al. New Directions in hypnosis research: Strategies for advancing the cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience of Hypnosis. Neuroscience of Consciousness. 2017;2017(1). doi:10.1093/nc/nix004

[7] Strouse TB, Bursch B. Psychological Treatment. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2018;32(3):483-491. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2018.01.010

[8] Jensen MP, Barber J, Romano JM, et al. A comparison of self-hypnosis versus progressive muscle relaxation in patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic pain. Int J Clin Exp Hypn. 2009;57(2):198-221. doi:10.1080/00207140802665476

[9] Gruzelier J. Unwanted effects of hypnosis: A review of the evidence and its implications. Contemporary Hypnosis. 2000;17(4):163-193. doi:10.1002/ch.207