Hypnotism is a term familiar in popular culture, with films and TV programmes often portraying a hapless victim being made to do silly things against their will such as bark like a dog or cluck like a chicken.
But hypnotism is not a stage magician’s trick, nor a mystical or religious encounter - it is a treatment in its own right, used all over the world, every day, to heal myriad psychological and physiological conditions.
History of Hypnotism
The history of hypnotism is traced back to India and Egypt 4,000 years ago. The ailing were taken to sleep temples, where they would be put into a deep sleep-like state, and various religious and spiritual rituals, such as chanting and praying, were performed on them.
Hypnotism has a long history in Indian and Middle Eastern countries, but more as a religious healing or a mystical experience, particularly found most often in Hinduism.
In the Western world, it wasn’t until 1770 that Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer developed the theory of Mesmerism or magnetism. It was widely thought the body was magnetic, and that its polarity effected health. Mesmer had seen his mentor, Father Maximillian Hell, performing astonishing physical healings by passing magnets over the bodies of the sick.
Seventy years later, Scottish surgeon James Braid became interested in the still-thriving Mesmerist movement. Braid is credited with first coining the term “hypnotism”.
He compiled much anecdotal evidence of the successful use of hypnotism in Britain and British India during surgical procedures, before the wide-spread use of anaesthesia. In many cases when patients previously had died, the use of hypnotic techniques resulted in successful surgeries.
Around this time (1892), the British Medical Association officially rejected Mesmerism/magnetism, and unstintingly endorsed the use of hypnotherapy, stating:
“The Committee are of opinion that as a therapeutic agent hypnotism is frequently effective in relieving pain, procuring sleep, and alleviating many functional ailments(i.e., psycho-somatic complaints and anxiety disorders).”
Unfortunately, Sigmund Freud had discounted hypnotherapy in favour of analysis, resulting in its general rejection as a valid treatment in popular and scientific opinion for years.
In 1955, the British Medical Association, due to research from America, recognized the validity of hypnotherapy. They recommended all physicians and medical students receive fundamental training in hypnosis, though this was largely ignored.
Finally, in 2002, the report National Occupation Standards for hypnotherapy was published by the Government’s Skills Councils for the UK’s health sector. Though hypnotism is gaining recognition, it still has a long way to go before it’s officially recognised by the public as a valid treatment method.
Science Behind Hypnotherapy
No one knows exactly how hypnotism works, but there are two main theories. The first is that during the hypnotic state, the analytical and conscious side of the brain relaxes, allowing the subconscious to take on suggestions. The second is that with the intellectual side of the brain on “standby”, the patient is able to will themselves better and discover a deeper ability to believe positive ideas that the intellect thinks impossible.
During the hypnotic state, the brain is in the theta stage (when the body is relaxed enough for sleep, but not yet asleep), when it is easiest to store and retrieve information. Because of this, the positive ideas suggested by the therapist are more easily accepted by the patient. In the theta state, the clarity and speed with which patients can concentrate and integrate knowledge is deeper than when awake, allowing positive thoughts that assist in changing habits and behaviours.
Around 10% of people are resistant to the hypnotic state. Reasons for this are unknown, but a person who can daydream, drive on auto-pilot, or meditate, is very likely able to enter the hypnotic state.
Despite popular depictions of stage hypnotists embarrassing their subject, it is impossible to hypnotise someone against their will. Ultimately, hypnosis consists of the body going into a deeply relaxed state, which it is not able to do whilst resisting the idea of such a state.
Richard Nicholls, of Midlands Hypnotherapy, says that he has found combining cognitive behavioural therapy with hypnotherapy to be most effective. Often patients have issues blocking them from being hypnotised, and talking through them in a therapeutic setting is beneficial before hypnosis.
“If a patient is uncomfortable, they simply won’t enter the hypnotic state, and CBT often helps them work through issues with the cognitive side of the brain, which then allows them to relax enough to let the theta stage do its job during subsequent hypnotherapy”, says Nicholls.
What Hypnotherapy Can Treat
In 1999, the British Medical Journal published a Clinical Review of Hypnotherapy, stating that abundant evidence had been provided that hypnotherapy is effective and:
- helps treat asthma
- helps treat IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- treats chronic pain, reducing it
- is effective in combating obesity, and aids in weight management and loss
- is effective for phobias, anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder
- helps treat skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis
- helps treat insomnia and sleep disorders
- is effective as a psychological therapeutic tool
- is effective during childbirth and labour as a pain reduction tool
- is effective as a smoking cessation treatment
- is effective in treating drug addiction
Nicholls says one of his most interesting discoveries in his eight years of hypnotherapy practice is its benefit to professional athletes who are struggling with a particular aspect of the sport. Golf especially is improved by hypnotherapy, states Nicholls, because it is a game which requires such mental focus.
How to Find a Hypnotherapist
Unfortunately, the title of Hypnotist and Hypnotherapist is not a protected one, as the UK has no regulations on the fields of counselling or therapy.
Because of this, it's important to find a legitimate practitioner, preferably one with a nationally-recognised diploma or certificate, and ask to see the documents before any fees are paid.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy is a professional body with the largest number of qualified hypnotherapists. They have a Code of Conduct, require their members to carry public liability & professional indemnity insurance, and have a standardised complaints procedure for their members.
Their website is hypnotherapists.org.uk.
Sources:
British Medical Association, "The Harveian Oration ON EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY AND HYPNOTISM:" Delivered before the Royal College of Physicians of London, October 18th 1909 Br Med J 1909;2:1205-1212 doi:10.1136/bmj.2.2547.1205 (Published 23 October 1909)
Book: The Evolution of Hypnotism, David Healy BMJ 2000;320:1015 doi:10.1136/bmj.320.7240.1015 (Published 8 April 2000)
The Nationcal Council for Hypnotherapy: Hypnosis, Pain and Placebo, Aug 18th, 2009, by Donald Robertson.
Alopecia areata Treatment in 21 Patients, by Jo Goss.
Interview with Richard Nicholls, DHP MAPHP MNCH, Practitioner, Midlands Hypnotherapy.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sarah Viollet - Sarah is an American from Los Angeles permanently settled in the UK. She really appreciates a good joke about her countrymen. In summer ...
