Hypnotherapy

Only a few methods of medicine have always been as fascinating as hypnotherapy. Between the fear of involuntarily exposing oneself to the mesmerizing and the hope of awakening after a deep sleep without any memory, but without problems and pain, there are still a number of other prejudices that persist even after (limited) recognition of hypnotherapy scientific method in psychotherapy, have not completely resolved. Therapy in hypnosis can do valuable work in mental and physical complaints and shorten conventional therapies.

contents

Hypnotherapy as natural healing
Hypnosis as a state of consciousness
Thinking processes in hypnosis
Body sensations and changes in hypnosis
Therapy in hypnosis
Effect of hypnosis
General effect
Specific effect
Hypnosis Video

Hypnotherapy as natural healing

Although hypnosis is used today as a healing method, especially in the psychotherapeutic context, modern hypnotherapy can also easily be classified as a natural healing process. Like other naturopathic treatments, hypnotherapy also fulfills the goal of releasing the body's own defenses and regulating functional processes of physical and psychological nature by triggering self-organizational processes. Moreover, because hypnosis in its mode of action dispenses with the artificial separation of body and psyche, seeming to act at the interface of these levels, there are always numerous practitioners in the field of naturopathy, which at least extend their therapeutic spectrum by hypnosis techniques. Finally, the roots of therapeutic hypnosis found in shamanic ceremonies of numerous primitive peoples, which were used to cure diseases of physical and mental-emotional nature.

Hypnosis is often used today with psychotherapeutic background. Image: DOC RABE Media / fotolia.com

Hypnosis as a state of consciousness

The fact that the state of consciousness that we call today hypnosis has been known since time immemorial and is used for healing purposes suggests that it is a natural phenomenon and that our ability to reach that state of consciousness is inherent to us humans , First of all, it is to be understood as a state of focused attention in which distracting stimuli of any kind can be hidden (for example, noises, worries, pain). But what exactly makes this condition and how do we recognize it?

Thinking processes in hypnosis

There are a number of hypnotic phenomena that distinguish the trance-like state in hypnosis from everyday waking consciousness. This includes e.g. the lessening of logical-analytical thought processes in favor of a visual and symbolic processing of information, similar to what happens in dreams. Also known are an increased ability to remember in hypnosis (hypermnesia), which can go back to the earliest childhood, but also the inability to remember the just ended hypnotic experience (amnesia). Although named after the god of sleep, hypnosis is more likely to be understood as a relaxed wakefulness in which certain areas of the brain have altered activity. The mind is awake, the trance state can be terminated independently at any time, so that we are not surrendered willlessly. Also, no guarded secrets are involuntarily divulged, as many feared. But there is an increased suggestibility, so that it is easier to get involved with external suggestions. Due to a distorted perception of time, the duration can be surprisingly short or long.

Body sensations and changes in hypnosis

It comes in hypnosis to altered body experience. Typically, the eyelids initially begin to flutter, movements of the eyeballs can become visible. Hypnotized people feel lighter, heavier or more rigid, sometimes involuntary extremity movements. There may be a feeling of coolness around the body while the face may stay warm. Pain and anxiety are reduced, feelings of tingling and tingling in different parts of the body are self-adjusting or easily provoked by suggestions. Measurable changes occur in the hypnosis state in all areas that are subject to the control of the autonomic nervous system. The blood pressure drops, the heart beats slower, the breaths become calmer and deeper. Furthermore, the muscles relax and less stress hormones are released from the adrenal cortex.

Therapy in hypnosis

The state of hypnosis itself can be distinguished from the hypnotherapy, which uses in many ways increased Influencing and other hypnotic phenomena for the healing of various ailments.

Less popular today is the classic hypnosis with "covering", direct suggestions, which as a rule are not able to produce changes permanently. The sole mandate: "You will stop smoking from now on" overlooks the fact that smoking may have an important function that can only be understood, changed or resolved through more profound changes. This form of hypnosis also works with the authority and "special" ability of the hypnotherapist. Today, many therapists and clients prefer an equal relationship in which the inner abilities of the hypnotized with the methods of the hypnotist bring healing.

Unlike classic hypnosis, one is in the systemically oriented Hypnotherapy after Milton Erickson effort, Avoidance of healing resistance by using very individually the client's thinking and language patterns, beliefs and behaviors in "hypnotic communication" to initiate change processes on deeper levels. Stories, metaphors, visualizations and targeted formulations are sometimes used so indirectly that they are not even noticed by the hypnotized.

Less strategic, but also resource-oriented and individually oriented is the Self-Organizing Hypnosis, which in Germany in particular of Dr. med. Götz Renartz is developed and distributed. The work is very resource-oriented and assumes that a person has to develop according to his / her own nature in order to stay permanently healthy. External influences that influence this development through prohibitions, bids and the like (also given by yourself). inhibit, are revealed or symbolized and changed. In hypnosis archetypal "helpers" (wise figures, inner healers, protectors) are visualized, which are available in the processing of (more or less traumatic) events and the finding of optimal solutions.

In the Hypnoanalyse, In a further development of psychoanalysis, deeper problems are also uncovered and dissolved, with hypnosis being worked out according to psychoanalytic principles.

Effect of hypnosis

Hypnosis is used by therapists from medicine, naturopathy, psychotherapy, in counseling and coaching.

General effect

The state of hypnosis has a beneficial effect on high blood pressure, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder and any other nervous disorder solely by the switching of the autonomic nervous system with regular use. Even anxiety and chronic back pain can be positively influenced solely by the non-specific effect of hypnosis. In the state of inner relaxation, this effect can be specifically intensified by suggestions. With tendency to internal restlessness and stress feeling the regular use of self-hypnosis has a balancing effect.

Specific effect

Through memories of past experiences and abilities, self-esteem can be sustainably strengthened. New perspectives and changing patterns of thinking help to relinquish unfavorable behaviors or symptoms. Fearful or performance-demanding situations (exams, competitive sports) can be tested and prepared on the "inner stage". As in the case of actual practice, the brain also learns in the case of imaginations, when they are "experienced" with all the senses, so that new connections can arise in the neural network. In medicine and psychosomatic medicine organs can be directly visualized and "doctored" or asked in the inner dialogue for backgrounds. The best known (and most popular) applications of hypnosis are certainly the weight loss, smoking cessation and the pain and anxiety reduction at the dentist. (Dipl.Päd. Jeanette Viñals Stein, non-medical practitioner)

To read more:
Up-to-date information on the scientific recognition of hypnotherapy.
Literature: Dirk Revenstorf, Burkhard Peter (Hrsg.): Hypnose in psychotherapy, psychosomatics and medicine, Springer 20016351a2cc0b08c03