Hypnosis Essay

Hypnosis Essay

Hypnosis Essay

Sample Essay

Words 635

In 1774, Mesmer for the first time observed animal magnetism when he watched the priest apply magnets to the bodies of persons suffering from different illnesses. Mesmer built on ancient Masonic concepts of illness being evidence within the individual of an imbalance of a universal fluid. The induction of convulsive attacks, or crises, created a healthy redistribution of the fluid. Thus, Mesmer believed the process was physiological but as invisible as electricity and magnetism -- subjects of great interest to scientists of that era. (Knight, 2000)

A century later Sigmund Freud had helped to push hypnosis out of the limelight with his invention of psychoanalysis. There is, however, an intimate connection between hypnosis and psychoanalysis: (Robertson, 1998, Knight, 2000)

Hypnosis theory and practice anticipated much of psychoanalysis.

Hypnotic procedures were adopted by the founder of psychoanalysis.

In addition, the practice of psychoanalysis induces hypnosis.

Clinical Hypnosis

Clinical hypnosis is an astonishingly versatile tool with several applications. For example, hypnosis has been demonstrated to speed recovery from surgery, facilitate healing in burn patients, offer anesthesia for surgical procedures for individuals for whom the chemical anesthesia is hazardous, relieve pain, alter the progress of auto-immune disorders, decrease anxiety, and facilitate the specialized learning process we call psychotherapy. Individuals have been assisted to lose weight or quit smoking using clinical hypnosis. Moreover, aside from specific therapeutic goals, clinical hypnosis and the allied practices of guided imagery and relaxation have been shown to improve immune system function and improve an individual's sense of well-being. (Pearson)

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