HYPNOSIS FOR THE SERIOUSLY CURIOUS

• What is hypnosis?
• Definitions
• How Do I Select A Hypnotist?
• Ethical Professional Services
• Standards for Professional Training
  
  

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?

The American Psychological Association Division of Psychological Hypnosis provided the following definition in 1993: "Hypnosis is a procedure during which a health professional or researcher suggests that a client, patient, or subject experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, or behavior. The hypnotic context is generally established by an induction procedure. Although there are many different hypnotic inductions, most include suggestions for relaxation, calmness, and well-being. Instructions to imagine or think about pleasant experiences are also commonly included in hypnotic inductions. People respond to hypnosis in different ways. Some describe their experience as an altered state of consciousness. Others describe hypnosis as a normal state of focused attention, in which they feel very calm and relaxed. Regardless of how and to what degree they respond, most people describe the experience as very pleasant. Some people are very responsive to hypnotic suggestions and others are less responsive. A person's ability to experience hypnotic suggestions can be inhibited by fears and concerns arising from some common misconceptions.

Contrary to some depictions of hypnosis in books, movies or on television, people who have been hypnotized do not lose control over their behavior. They typically remain aware of who they are and where they are, and unless amnesia has been specifically suggested, they usually remember what transpired during hypnosis. Hypnosis makes it easier for people to experience suggestions, but it does not force them to have these experiences." (Executive Committee of the American Psychological Association Division of Psychological Hypnosis [1993, Fall]. Psychological Hypnosis: A Bulletin of Division 30, 2, p. 7.) Although scientists have different theories about the nature of hypnosis, all seem to agree that hypnotized people report changes in the way they feel, think, and behave, and that these changes are in response to suggestions. People vary in their degree of responsiveness to hypnotic suggestions, what is called their hypnotizability or hypnotic susceptibility, but most people can be hypnotized to some degree. Scientists disagree about whether hypnosis involves a special mental state. Hypnotizability (which also is related to suggestibility) can be measured using special tests or hypnotizability scales.

DEFINITIONS

ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS is a concept used by some scientists and most clinical hypnotists to imply that hypnosis produces a condition different from the waking state, the sleep state, some meditation states, etc. On the other hand, many scientists believe that the facts of hypnosis and what one can do with hypnosis can be explained without using the term 'state.' (For more information, search the Database for words such as Theory, State, Expectancy, Dissociation.)

HYPNOTIZABILITY is measured on scales or tests that rate people along a continuum of their responsiveness to suggestions. People are rated as high, medium, or low hypnotizable individuals depending on whether they respond to many or few suggestions. The ability to respond is distributed in almost a normal, bell-shaped curve. Most people are average in hypnotizability and are sufficiently responsive to use hypnosis in medical, dental, or psychological therapy. People who are low in hypnotizability often can improve in their response to suggestions with training and practice, and thereby use hypnosis to work on their problems. Many clinical uses of hypnosis do not require very high hypnotizability. (For more information, search the Database for Hypnotizability.)

HYPNOTIZABILITY SCALES or tests measure a person's ability to respond to suggestions following a hypnotic induction. Most require a trained hypnotist to read a script consisting of a hypnotic induction, followed by a series of test suggestions that range in level of difficulty. Most people respond to some but not all of the suggestions, just as they would have correct responses to some but not all of the test items on an intelligence test. (For more information, search the Database for Test and Hypnotizability.)

SUGGESTIBILITY is related to hypnotizability, and is usually taken to mean the ability to respond to suggestions without a prior hypnotic induction. It is a scientific concept and does not have any connotation of a weak will. Suggestibility seems to be related to the capacity for using imagination. (For more information, search the Database for Suggestibility.)

SUGGESTIONS are verbal or non-verbal promptings to act or think in ways the hypnotist indicates, in an effortless and automatic or nonvoluntary manner. (For more information, search the Database for Suggestion.)

HOW TO SELECT A PROFESSIONAL HYPNOTIST

"Hypnosis has been used in the treatment of pain, depression, anxiety, stress, habit disorders, and many other psychological and medical [and dental] problems. However, it may not be useful for all psychological problems or for all patients or clients. The decision to use hypnosis as an adjunct to treatment can only be made in consultation with a qualified health care provider who has been trained in the use and limitations of clinical hypnosis." (Executive Committee of the American Psychological Association Division of Psychological Hypnosis [1993, Fall]. Psychological Hypnosis: A Bulletin of Division 30, 2, p. 7.) Often, the best referral to a qualified health care provider comes from a professional person with whom you already have a relationship--your doctor, dentist, psychologist, or social worker. Also University Departments of Psychology, Psychiatry, Anesthesiology, or Schools of Dentistry sometimes provide referrals.

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