andrea@hp-sdd.UUCP (andrea) (12/31/84)
I have had some training in hypnotism (self- and other-), and it is
definitely useful for behavior modification, relaxation, diminishing pain,
etc.
A conscientious hypnotist using it for therapeutic or demonstration
purposes will generally give some "safety" suggestions fairly early
in the session. Examples:
- if I or anyone else asks you to do something you know is
not in your best interests, you can reject it and stay in
this relaxed state.
(note: the "conscious" and "unconscious" parts of our mind are
both capable of yanking us out of trance instantly if anything
harmful is going on. It is really not a problem to avoid doing
something you know is wrong, harmful, or otherwise not in your
best interests.)
- whenever you need to or want to, you can come back to full
waking consciousness quickly and easily.
(this tends to prevent the wandering-around-in-a-fog that happens
when accidental interruptions occur. It is also sometimes useful
to give the subject a self-trigger, such as "Simply brush your
hand over your hair to dispel any grogginess you might feel".)
- Nobody can put you into a trance unless you want to, and agree to it.
One of the most powerful uses of hypnotism is in the post-hypnotic suggestions.
Simple physical triggers seem to work the best. For instance, in using
hypnosis to help you relax, lower blood pressure, relieve headaches, etc,
you can offer the subject the suggestion that by placing finger and thumb
together in an "o", they will be able to instantly recreate the relaxed
feelings they are having at this moment.
One of the things I learned in the hypnosis workshops was that it is
basically not harmful. In fact, it is very natural - we go in and out of trance
all the time (road fatigue, the dazed feeling after many hours of sitcoms
on the tube, that half-in-half-out stage when you are falling asleep or
waking up slowly are all examples of naturally occurring trances).
One anecdote to illustrate harm from exceeding your knowledge:
a simple induction technique was developed and taught to doctors and
dentists in the 1950's, which allowed them to reduce by 1/3 or more
the amount of anesthesia needed. One dentist had the *brilliant* idea
to suggest to his patient that after the wisdom tooth came out, there
would be no bleeding and no pain. This suggestion succeeded all too well:
the patient developed dry socket and a spectacular abscess, but since there
was no pain it was several weeks before the patient saw fit to return to the
dentist. Result was a root canal and much tissue damage. The dentist learned
to suggest "only as much bleeding as necessary to cleanse and heal the wound",
and that "there will be pain to keep you informed of the progress of the
healing, but it will be manageable and will not cause you much distress."
Moral: don't mess with what you don't understand.
We all seem to have what it takes to protect ourselves from harm, and
look after ourselfs. Trust that, and proceed with integrity and caring,
and you can do some very good things with hypnosis, for yourself and others.
If you stay away from amateur psychotherapy, but just do simple relaxation
suggestions coupled with affirmations for desired behaviors, you'll do good.
You can if necessary leave someone in a trance, and they
will come out of it themselves every time. Of course, they may take
several hours - it depends what they need at that "level" of their
consciousness. Of course, people in trance should be watched so
they don't go wandering around on the streets!
Hope this is of some help - there are many myths about hypnosis,
and much to be gained by using it wisely.
Andrea Frankel, Hewlett-Packard (San Diego Division) (619) 487-4100 x4664
net: {allegra|ihnp4|decvax|ucbvax}!hplabs!hp-sdd!andrea
...searchlights casting for faults in the clouds of delusionrrizzo@bbncca.ARPA (Ron Rizzo) (01/18/85)
A good book on the subject in paperback is Frederick Marcuse, HYPNOSIS: FACT & FICTION (Penguin).