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For your Diary
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11th & 12th NOV 2006
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| What is Hypnosis ? |
Hypnosis is an altered state of
consciousness. It has nothing to do with sleep despite the apparent
derivation of the word. During a hypnotic induction there is suspension
of both reality testing and critical analysis of the instructions
of the hypnotist.
In recent years there is an increasing amount of evidence to support
the view that hypnosis is a state of altered brain function using
measurements of cortical evoked potentials and EEC studies. There
is also supporting evidence from functional brain imaging procedures
such as PUI scans. During hypnosis it has been shown that susceptible
subjects switch mainly from the left hemispheric activation to right
hemispheric activation. The left cortex can be said to deal with logical,
critical, appraisal functions whereas the right cortex is more involved
with emotional functions, feelings, imagination, creativity and both
musical and artistic appreciation.
It is important for people to realise that hypnosis is a natural state.
It is also important to stress that all hypnosis is essentially self-hypnosis
and is a consent state. The role of the hypnotherapist is to teach
patients to enter this state at will and to be able to use auto-hypnosis
as a self help therapy. Providing patients with one or two simple
examples will help to overcome the very negative images that may result
from watching Stage Hypnosis performances.
We are all aware of times when we have driven a car over a familiar
route and have arrived at our destination with no memory of the journey
because we have been involved with internal thoughts. If however,
an unusual incident had occurred during such a journey then full attention
would have returned instantly.
The film ET provides another good example of how our brain processes
affect our emotional state. When first shown in cinemas large numbers
of the audience ended up in tears. One's left brain is fully aware
that we are watching a film about a model made of bits of wire and
plastic, but our right brain says, "Yes, but he is dying",
and we cry.
Medical hypnosis should be regarded
as part of mainstream Medicine and not simply as a complementary therapy.
The ability of patients to enter the hypnotic state can be utilised
to augment conventional therapies but not necessarily to replace them.
One of the major advantages of the use of hypnosis is that treatment
is usually expedited. A number of conventional psychological techniques,
such as behavioural therapy, whilst effective, are very time consuming.
Treatment of phobias such as severe dental phobia may take several
weeks or even months to treat conventionally whereas a cure with hypnosis
may only require three visits or less. Auto-hypnosis used at home
is an essential component of this form of treatment. This is a learnt
technique and requires persistence, however, once learnt it is a
"tool for life".
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