"…the affliction suffered by the body, the soul sees quite well with the eyes shut…” Hyppocrates (460-377 BC), Father of Medicine
CLINICAL HYPNOSIS
A – Z OF CONDITIONS HELPED BY HYPNOTHERAPY
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Hypnosis is a naturally occurring altered state of consciousness; a kind of trance state where the mind becomes free of verbal thinking (left brain) and enters a more visual state (right brain). We all experience hypnosis every day, like daydreaming or comfortably drifting off at night, neither awake nor asleep, or when you become totally absorbed in an activity and lose track of time, such as reading a good book or driving. In this state the mind is more receptive to suggestion. Hypnosis is a valuable therapeutic tool for medical psychological and creative use. {top} Hypnotherapy is the use of the hypnotic trance-state for therapeutic purpose and can be described as a mutual relationship between the client and the therapist where the aim is to help solve the client’s problem. Hypnosis is a naturally occurring altered state of consciousness wherein the mind is more receptive to suggestion. For therapeutic purposes, beneficial suggestions may be given directly to the unconscious mind. Hypnotherapy allows you to focus your attention, access resources, and create new associations and new patterns of thinking and behaving. {top} Approved for use by the British Medical Association for more than 50 years, Clinical Hypnosis is used to treat a variety of medical and psychological problems. Entering this deeply relaxed trance state is an effective way of making contact with our inner unconscious self which is both a reservoir of unrecognised potential and knowledge as well as being the unwitting source of many of our problems. Clinical Hypnosis is used to access the problem, which lies within the unconscious mind, and which is often due to a traumatic “seeding” event or to unintentional behavioural conditioning in early years. The unconscious mind acts in such a way as to protect the individual. For example Fears and Phobias are based on a form of self-preservation which can become over-exaggerated over time to the point when it becomes a problem. Therapy involves suggestion, imagery, relaxation and other hypnotic techniques being applied in such a way as to bring about therapeutic changes in order to achieve realistic goals helping you to reach your full potential and live a more healthy, satisfying life. When carried out by a professionally trained and skilled Hypnotherapist the benefits can be long lasting and often permanent. {top} WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF HYPNOTHERAPY? The concept of using trance to alleviate both physical and mental illness recurs throughout the history of medicine. From ancient to modern times, hypnosis has been a part of all cultures. Primitive societies used hypnotic trance throughout the ages for physical and spiritual benefits. Tribal drums and ritualistic dances have been a part of many societies around the globe. Throughout history the elite few have guarded the knowledge of trance, shrouding it in mysticism. In pre-Christian times, in Britain, Gaul and Ireland, Druids incorporated a form of hypnotism in their rituals. In the Middle Ages the Church sanctioned healing through touch and prayer and Shaman of Northern Asia and North America would use self-induced trance in preparation for healing. Best known of the ancient links to modern hypnosis are the sleep temples of the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Egyptian goddess Isis was believed to reveal herself during sleep and offer both diagnosis and treatment. Cures were thought to be induced by the laying on of hands by priests. Modern hypnosis is rooted in the 18th century when Franz Anton Mesmer, from whom the word mesmerism is derived, developed the theory of Animal Magnetism. Mesmer believed that illness was caused by an imbalance in the bodies’ magnetic forces. Therefore health could be restored by transferring magnetism from his body to that of the patient. Mesmer would induce a trance-like state in the person by “passing” his hands over the body. This became known as Mesmerism. Mesmer became very successful and popular with the people. However, his popularity led him to be discredited by more orthodox practitioners of the day. Despite this, Mesmer’s followers continued to use mesmerism and people continued to benefit from it for many years after his death. Mesmer is now regarded as a pioneer in the development of hypnotism and psychotherapy. In the 19th century, Scottish surgeon James Esdaile performed more than 250 successful operations, including many amputations, using mesmerism as a sole anaesthetic. The method may have survived if it had not been for the discovery of chloroform. Mesmerism continued to interest the medical world. Scottish Ophthalmologist James Braid studied Mesmerism and discovered that simple suggestion was just as effective to induce trance-like states. He induced trance by asking people to stare at a fixed point. It was Braid who gave us “the swinging watch method” and it was he who coined the phrase "hypnosis" from the Greek word “hypnos” meaning sleep. In the early part of the 20th century, hypnosis was used almost exclusively by stage hypnotists. Then during the first and second World Wars hypnosis was used to treat soldiers for shell shock, later known as Post Traumatic Stress. In 1955 the British Medical Association endorsed the practice of hypnosis and hypnotherapy in Medical School education. Since then it has become a valuable addition to conventional medical treatment. {top} Hypnotherapy enables you to enlist the help of your conscious and subconscious mind allowing you to focus your attention internally, re-accessing resources, creating new associations and new patterns of thinking and behaving in order to achieve your goal. To fully understand the nature of hypnotherapy you must first understand the functional differences between the conscious (left brain) and the subconscious (right brain). The function of the conscious mind is intellect, analysis, logic, reason and focus, for example the conscious left brain sees “the tree not the forest”. The subconscious mind sees the whole picture; “the forest not the tree” and contains emotions, creativity, imagination, intuition, long term memory and control of bodily functions. The subconscious also contains the habit centre where persistent habits are stored. The subconscious does not respond to logic and facts, but rather the language of the subconscious is imagery and metaphor. The subconscious mind is the source of many of our problems and self-images. Our beliefs, habits and behaviours are stored in the subconscious as information. The subconscious is also a tremendous reservoir of our unrecognised strengths and knowledge. During times of emotional turmoil or sudden trauma people become aware of the subconscious mind’s power over bodily functions and intellect when they are unable to eat, sleep or talk and cannot think clearly. People often ignore or repress these feelings for years “stuffing” them into the subconscious. The whole object of hypnotherapy is to take back control that has been lost and which has therefore resulted in the symptom or problem. Hypnosis is a natural and effective technique for accessing the subconscious mind, the key to unleashing our potential and finding solutions to our problems and concerns. In this way hypnosis allows people to tap into their creativity, access buried memories, change unwanted habits and behaviour, unmask false beliefs, repair self-esteem and restore health. During the hypnotic trance-state the body gradually relaxes. Metabolism, breathing and heartbeat slow and the brain produces alpha waves; the brain waves associated with quiet, receptive states. In this state, the conscious rational part of the brain is temporarily bypassed, making the subconscious part, which influences mental and physical functions, more receptive to therapeutic beneficial suggestions. Once the individual has achieved a trance-state the hypnotherapist uses many different therapeutic methods ranging from simple suggestion to Psychoanalysis and Cognitive Behavioural techniques. For example, the therapist may ask about past, present or future concerns to establish the reasons for the problem. Alternatively the therapist may give suggestions to the subconscious mind aimed at overcoming specific problems such as lack of self-confidence. Any therapeutic intervention implies change. Some uses, such as calming a person, require minimal change whilst more complex behaviour patterns, such as overeating or treatment of panic disorders or depression, require a more complex therapeutic intervention together with psychological and behavioural homework. {top} WHAT DOES HYPNOTHERAPY HELP WITH? Hypnotherapy can help with a vast range of problems including negative thoughts and feelings, irrational fears and unwanted habits. Hypnotherapy can help the client to change thoughts of low self-esteem, or obsessive thoughts as well as distressing feelings such as panic attacks, anxiety, jealousy, guilt, anger or inadequacy. Hypnotherapy is particularly renowned for its effectiveness in overcoming phobias. There are those who find themselves in the grip of habits that they seem unable to control, like nail-biting or smoking to more deep-seated compulsions like hair pulling. Hypnotherapy can remove those habits and compulsions free from side effects. Hypnotherapy has been found to be very effective for a variety of Medical and Psychological problems and can be used to enhance performance and creativity. For example, Hypnotherapy helps with Medical problems such as Pain relief, Tension Headaches, Migraine. I.B.S. Asthma, Skin problems, Eczema.and can boost the immune system. Psychological problems: including stress, anxiety, tension, depression, phobias, trauma, compulsions and habit breaking. Hypnotherapy also has Creative and performance-enhancing uses including, Performance anxiety, Exam nerves, Passing Driving Test, Improving memory, Unblocking Potential, Enhancing Creativity, Regaining Focus and Boosting Athletic Performance. {top} SEE A – Z OF CONDITIONS HELPED BY HYPNOTHERAPY {top}WHAT HAPPENS DURING A HYPNOTHERAPY SESSION? During your first session the therapist will take a detailed case history. You can expect to be asked about yourself, your problem and your medical details. Goals for therapy are discussed and agreed and a full explanation of hypnosis is provided. Any questions or misconceptions about hypnosis would also be dealt with at this point. The first session usually lasts around 2 hours with subsequent sessions lasting around 1 hour. Whilst reclining on a comfortable chair or couch, the Hypnotherapist will guide you into a state where your body and mind are relaxed. Imagery and Relaxation techniques are employed to help achieve trance. In the first session you will usually be taught self-hypnosis as part of a number of therapeutic homework tasks. Perhaps the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and at ease with your Therapist. This is of particular importance in Hypnotherapy, in which the value of the treatment is greatly enhanced when you have confidence in the practitioner. {top} Hypnotic trance can be deliberately induced by a Hypnotherapist or self induced (see self hypnosis). With the assistance of a skilled Hypnotherapist it is possible to use the hypnotic trance state to make deep and lasting changes to thoughts, feelings and behaviour and, because hypnosis is a natural state, there are no side effects and virtually anyone can be hypnotised. Individuals allow themselves to enter trance so that beneficial suggestions may be given directly to the subconscious mind for the specific purpose of maximising potential, changing limiting beliefs and behaviour and gaining insight and wisdom. {top} Hypnotic trance state can be experienced at a light, medium or deep level and typically feels very similar to when you are drifting off, neither awake nor asleep and are prone to imagery and association similar to that of a dream state. Altogether a very pleasant feeling of relaxation from which you will awaken refreshed and relaxed {top} Self-hypnosis empowers the person to help themselves by boosting self-confidence or reducing pain. The technique is usually taught during the first hypnotherapy session to be carried on at home. It is said that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis because nobody can be hypnotised against their will and a person can reject any suggestion and terminate trance anytime they wish. Therefore Hypnotherapy is a state of purposeful co-operation where the client agrees to be guided into trance by the therapist for therapeutic reasons. {top} It is estimated that 85% of people will readily respond to hypnotherapy. Therefore most people are hypnotisable, however no-one can be hypnotised against their will. For someone undergoing hypnosis for the first time, it is only natural that they may experience some fear of the unknown, so the therapist will try to allay any anxieties. This is important, since both fear and lack of motivation can prevent you from fully entering trance, Therefore it is important to be motivated toward your goal and have a comfortable relationship with your therapist. {top} During hypnosis your attention is focused so that you are completely aware and in control of yourself. If you are anxious about trying hypnotherapy, you should be reassured that you can not be made to do or say anything against your will that is unacceptable to your own values and patterns of behaviour. {top} To ensure that your session is a success it is necessary to remember certain sections of the process but it is not necessary for you to remember everything that is said and done. People vary in what they remember during hypnosis. Some people believe they have remembered everything, this is because they are totally unaware of the information they have forgotten, whilst others may become so relaxed that they believe they have fallen asleep and remembered nothing, however, most people are somewhere in-between these two extremes {top} WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED AFTER THE SESSION? There are no side effects to hypnosis, in fact following treatment most people report feeling relaxed and refreshed. Time is taken to ensure that you have regained full awareness. This is an opportunity to discuss any experiences that you have had during the session, and is often an important part of the process. {top} HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED? The number of sessions needed depends on the problem or symptom and the individual's circumstances. Individuals vary considerably and there is no general rule to say how much improvement an individual can gain and how many sessions it will take to achieve their goal. With “stop smoking” one session should suffice, a problem like nail biting can be successfully treated in one or two sessions. However, more complex problems, such as panic attacks, will take longer. {top} WILL HYPNOTHERAPY DEAL WITH MY SPECIFIC PROBLEM? Hypnotherapy deals, not just with the symptoms, but with the whole person, including both mental and social factors. During your first session your problem will be discussed in much detail. The information will be gathered and used to design an action plan. In this way Hypnotherapy is tailored to the individual client’s needs- it is not a “one size fits all” therapy. {top} Hypnotherapy has been found to be very effective for a variety of Medical and Psychological, problems and can be used to enhance performance and creativity. Further questions such as cost or availability of appointments can be sent via Contact Page or alternatively Telephone Patricia: 0141 770 5641 A – Z OF CONDITIONS HELPED BY HYPNOTHERAPY |
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