by Andrea Szentgyorgyi, DHP Acc. Hyp
Hypnosis is often described as mystical. Throughout history people have tried to define a state that was paraphrased as trance, sleep, hallucination, magic state, mesmeric state, lucid sleep; or the very recent definition of alpha state of mind. Today we can firmly state that hypnosis is not magical. The hypnotic state is a natural state of mind, it is part of our nature as biological beings.
The beginnings
Hypnosis is as old as humanity; its roots existed in ancient times. One of the oldest medical papers, the Ebers Papyrus, written in 1550 BC, describes a technique that involves eye fixation and then suggestions while the eyes are shut (Stefan 2015) as an aid for treating pain and doing surgeries (Meares 2009). In Egyptian sleep temples, priests induced trance by chanting to recall dreams for analysis.
The word hypnosis comes from “hypnos” (Greek), meaning sleep. Hippocrates explained the purpose of hypnosis: “the affliction suffered by the body, the soul sees quite well with eyes shut” (Chadwick 1950 cited in Maldonado et al. 2015). Ancient Greeks also had temples devoted to the God of Healing where they used music, prayers and incantation to call Hypnos, the God of Sleep, to visit them, and then the priest made suggestions to heal them (Heap et al. 2002).
Chinese medicine also has roots in hypnosis. Wong Tai used a trance technique involving passing hands. Also, the Hindu Vedas mention hypnotic procedures from 1500 BC (Bishop 2011).
Native American shamans used self-hypnosis to achieve a trance where they could see the future and also for curing purposes (Thomason 2015).
The Bible mentions that God put Adam into a deep sleep before taking a rib out to create Eve, and God gave a deep sleep to Abram and Samuel to find ways of protection (Nickels 2006). However, the Christian religion declared hypnosis witchcraft, therefore, it was practised secretly for centuries.
Hypnotism back in fashion
In the 18th century, Franz Anton Mesmer studied Newton`s gravity theory and tried to apply it to human illness. He called it animal magnetism (Wikipedia 2017) and initially believed that there was a magnetic fluid within the body.
Soon, medical professionals challenged this idea about a magnetic fluid, and even Mesmer acknowledged that the patient`s imagination of such fluid helped cure them. He took the first step towards modern hypnotherapy by emphasizing the patient.
Marquis de Puysegur noticed the similarities between induced, natural sleep and sleepwalking or somnambulism. He explained the mesmeric state as a relaxed, quiet state of mind instead of a crisis. Another contribution to hypotherapy today was that he believed he could pass the healing process to his patients (Heap 2002 p. 27.).
His followers contributed to the development of hypnosis through their research, such as Kluge describing the six degrees of states of animal magnetism (Ellenberger 1994 p. 78.). Charpignon, Gauthier, Lafontaine, Despine, Dupotet and Durand understood that rapport was at the centre of the treatment; they also investigated the importance of individual treatment (Ellenberger 1994. p. 76.).
Abbe de Faria pointed out that the main factor in achieving success in “lucid sleep” is susceptibility. “We cannot induce concentration in individuals whenever we desire; rather, we need to find people who are inherently susceptibility factor” (cited in Heap et al. 2002. p. 28.). He also called attention to verbal suggestions instead of using objects.
James Esdaile and John Elliotson performed operations using the mesmeric state as a sole anaesthetic. Pierre Janet talked about the subconscious mind by explaining dissociation. Bernheim and Liebeault proved the influence of repetitive suggestions in Nancy School.
James Braid used the term “hypnosis” for the first time in 1840, describing hypnosis as not sleeping and introducing expressions such as relaxation, focused attention, eye fixation, trance, and suggestion. His book, Neurypnology contained a description of his cases. He worked on stroke patients and dealt with pain, headaches, skin and rheumatic problems, and he admitted it when his treatment did not work. He started a new era of hypnotherapy, the modern hypnotherapy, by pointing out that hypnosis is a psycho-physiological state, therefore,“hypnosis is characterised by a state of heightened concentration on a single idea suggested by the hypnotist. In this state, imagination, belief and expectancy are more intense than normal waking state” (cited in Heap 2002. p. 30.). In 1892, the BMA accepted the therapeutic use of hypnosis and rejected the theory of Mesmerism.
The 20th century
Sigmund Freud turned away from hypnotherapy; however, he contributed to the development of hypnosis by focusing his attention on the unconscious mind and discovering transference (Bachner-Melman 2001).
After the World Wars, hypnosis was used to treat patients with Post Traumatic Disorder. Soldiers were mentally breaking down after the shocking events of the wars, and that led to the legitimisation of hypnotherapy as a medical treatment. In 1930, the Mental Treatment Act accepted hypnosis as treatment in outpatient clinics (Dryden 1996.) After World War II, group treatments emerged as it was cost-effective for the NHS. In 1955, the BMA approved the use of hypnosis, and a year later, Pope Pius XII approved hypnosis as a valuable aid for childbirth and anaesthesia.
Milton H. Erickson has completely reformed the method of hypnosis by developing indirect hypnotherapy. He focused on the rapport between the client and the therapist. His approach was based on the needs of the individual. He agreed with Freud that every problem has a root in the past; however, he stated that the unconscious mind has a solution to the problem that the client has to find within himself. Erickson emphasized the importance of the language. He focused on metaphors, riddles, jokes, and statements made by the client to find a code in the unconscious mind.
Hypno-psychotherapy today
Today, hypnosis is used as a treatment for anxiety, phobias, sleeping disorders, pain management, smoking, weight management, depression, stress, post-traumatic disorders and dealing with grief and infertility. The NHS uses hypnotherapy successfully to help patients with irritable bowel syndrome (Miller et al 2015).
Research focuses on fields, methods, and a deeper understanding of the hypnotic state. Eva Banyai, a Hungarian psychologist, is researching active-alert hypnosis, a hypnotic state that can be achieved by monotonous or extreme physical activity.
Hypnotherapy had a long journey from the demon-releasing crisis, through blocked body fluids to release pent-up emotions and treatment of mental health issues.
Hopefully, the future brings more discoveries about the clinical practice of hypno-psychotherapy and its validity as a medication-free treatment.
REFERENCES
Bachner-Melman R., 2001. `Freud’s Relevance to Hypnosis: A Revaluation.` American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 44:1, July [pdf] Available from http://www.asch.net/portals/0/journallibrary/articles/ajch-44/bachner.pdf [Accessed: 19. 10. 2017].
Bishop, S. 2011. History of Hypnosis. [online] Steve Bishop Hypnotherapy Centre. Available from http://stevebishop.co.uk/history-of-hypnosis/ [Accessed: 21. 10. 2017].
Dryden, W. 1996. Handbook of Individual Therapy. London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi. Sage Publications Inc. Pp. 4-8.
Ellenberger, H. 1994. The Discovery of the Unconscious. The history and Evolution of Dynamic Psychiatry. [ebook] Pp. 75-80. [Accessed: 19. 10. 2017].
Heap, M., Aravind, K. 2002. Hartland`s Medical and Dental Hypnosis. 4th edition.[ebook] Edingburg, London, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Sydney, Toronto. Pp. 1-34.
Maldonado, R., Spiegel, D., 2015. Chapter 94 Hypnosis in Tasman, A., Kay, J., Lieberman, J., First, M., Riba, M., Pyschiatry Volume 1., Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences Stanford University School of Medicine. [pdf] Available from https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=l2KRBgAAQBAJ&pg=PT6261&lpg=PT6261&dq=Hippocrates+the+affliction+suffered+by+the+body,+the+soul+sees+quite+well+with+eyes+shot&source=bl&ots=s6xJgBgND7&sig=u7M_BzfCRhHSXEiRIVqzaiV7xxQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjk89ny4P7WAhVpLsAKHTpmC-0Q6AEIKzAA#v=onepage&q=Hippocrates%20the%20affliction%20suffered%20by%20the%20body%2C%20the%20soul%20sees%20quite%20well%20with%20eyes%20shot&f=false). [Accessed: 20. 10. 2017].
Meares, A. 2009. The Nature, Use and Abuse of Hypnosis. pp 157. [online] tandfonline.com. Available from
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00450617109413182?journalCode=tajf20). [Accessed: 20. 10. 2017].
Miller, V., Carruthers, H., Morris, J., Hasan, S., Archbold, S., Whorwell, P. 2015. Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome
Nickels, R. 2006. Awake out of Sleep! [online] Giving and Sharing. Bible Studies. Available from http://www.giveshare.org/BibleStudy/118.sleep.html. [Accessed: 20. 10. 2017]
Stefan. 2015. Short-history-of-hypnosis-using-power-suggestion [online] heartbasedpower.com. Available from (http://heartbasedpower.com/short-history-of-hypnosis-using-power-suggestion) [Accessed: 21. 10. 2017].
Thomason, T. 2015. The Role of Altered States of Consciousness in Native American Healing [online] Cuyamungue Institute. Available from
http://www.cuyamungueinstitute.com/articles-and-news/the-role-of-altered-states-of-consciousness-in-native-american-healing/. [Accessed: 21. 10. 2017].
Wikipedia 2017. Animal Magnetism. [online] Available from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_magnetism [Accessed: 20. 10. 2017].
