HYPNOSIS / HYPNOTHERAPY / HYPNOTISM / HISTORY / A BRIEF REVIEW

What is HYPNOSIS?

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, during which it is possible to communicate with the unconscious mind. Hypnotic suggestion is a safe, pleasant and powerful way of by – passing barriers to inner thoughts and feelings (a process commonly known as hypnotherapy). It enables you to uplift your emotions and in turn to change patterns of behaviour for the better.

Have you ever been so engrossed with an activity that you have lost track of time? Have you ever daydreamed and briefly lost touch with reality? Then you have experienced an altered state of awareness akin to hypnosis.

What is the difference between the ‘conscious’ and ‘unconscious’ mind?

The conscious mind is near the surface. It enables you to make decisions and to deal with your everyday life. The conscious mind is associated with the left side of the brain which deals with logical reasoning and analysis. This part of the brain switches off during hypnosis.

The ‘unconscious’ (or ‘subconscious’) mind functions at a deeper level and governs your automatic responses. It is associated with the right side of the brain. Memories are stored here and it is the realm of imagination and emotion. This part of the brain takes over during hypnosis.

What is HYPNOTHERAPY?

Hypnotherapy is used to influence the unconscious mind, in order to bring about beneficial changes in feelings and behaviour.

Therapy may involve SUGGESTION or ANALYSIS or a mixture of the two.

SUGGESTION Therapy is usually appropriate for more straightforward needs such as help with giving up SMOKING and general WEGHT MANAGEMENT.
Also for :

ANALYTICAL Therapy is likely to require at least THREE to SIX sessions, to enable the patient to discover the causes of emotional problems and to come to terms with them.

ANALYTICAL Therapy may be appropriate for more complicated issues such as:

Treatment With Hypnosis

Treatment with HYPNOSIS can often lead to quicker results than with conventional counselling methods.

HYPNOTIC SUGGESTION is a safe and powerful way of by – passing barriers to inner thoughts and feelings. It enables you to uplift your emotions and in turn, to change patterns of behaviour for the better.

HYPNOSIS / HYPNOTHERAPY is a’ drug – free’ and rapid way to release your full potential and gain the RESULTS you are seeking.

SELF-HYPNOSIS or AUTO-HYPNOSIS is an extremely valuable SELF-HELP skill to have. Once you have learnt how to do it, you can adapt it for use in many situations in your life, enabling you to :

With you learn SELF- HYPNOSIS with Stream of Life, AT YOUR FIRST SESSION YOU'LL RECEIVE A FREE TAPE RECORDING TO enable you to practise at home.

“Research shows that by using HYPNOSIS, people can perform prodigious feats of will power and self healing.” - The Health Education Authority

 

HISTORY OF HYNOTHERAPY

From the ‘sleep temples’ of Ancient Greece to the present day, people have experienced trance or hypnosis. Group suggestion was used by the thirteenth century Mongol ruler, Genghis Khan.

More recent history of hypnosis began in the eighteenth century with an Austrian doctor living in Paris, named Franz Anton Mesmer who developed the theory of ‘ animal magnetism’. Mesmer was discredited by a royal commission and left Paris.

In the nineteenth century, the term ‘ hypnosis’ was coined by a Scottish ophthalmologist, James Braid, after the Greek word ‘hypnos’ meaning ‘sleep’.

In the later nineteenth century hypnotism gained the interest of French neurologist, Jean-Martin Charcot.

In the same era,French Dr,Liebolt and Professor Hippolyte Bernheim were the first to recognise hypnosis as a normal phenomenon that is psychological in origin.

In 1892 the British Medical Association recognised hypnosis as a therapeutic agent.

Neurologist, Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) developed Psychoanalytic therapy to explain personality and behaviour in terms of unconscious wishes and conflicts.

Hypnosis was used to treat post – traumatic stress in the First and Second World Wars.

The British Medical Association and the American Medical Association had both approved hypnotherapy as a valid medical treatment by the end of the 1950’s.

The second part of the twentieth century saw the American psychiatrist and psychologist, Dr. Milton Erickson and others developing the use of hypnosis as an important learning tool. His influence increased the acceptance of the medical use of hypnotism.

Many cultures use magnetism, including Native Americans and some African cultures who use drumming and dancing to produce trance. Shamans use hypnosis to assist healing.