Post-Hypnotic Suggestion
Jacob McGowan
Central Carolina
10/26/2014
Abstract This paper will focus on information learned about post-hypnotic suggestion. Post-hypnotic suggestion is a suggestion made to a hypnotized person that specifies an action to be performed after awakening, often in response to a cue.(Farlex, 2014). I will explain information such as the history, therapeutic uses, the negatives, and more. History of Hypnosis
Originally thought of as witchcraft, hypnosis did not have a bright start with people, who rejected its validity. What we now call hypnotists used to be called witches, and later, charlatans who were mere entertainers (Temes 3). Franz Anton Mesmer, who is considered the father of hypnosis, began with …show more content…
It is no longer a question of if hypnosis is real; because it has been proven that it is indeed real. Chronic pain areas that it has helped included pain from cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and tension headaches (Baver 158). Phobias, fears, anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, stress, post-trauma anxiety, grief, self-esteem, motivation, learning, sports, natural child birth, and smoking are all among the vast area hypnosis can assist with (Hadley 14-15) (Mental Health and Hypnosis). To help someone stop smoking through hypnosis proves as one of the harder tasks. Since the craving of wanting to smoke is so strong it’s difficult to break it. Dr. Olness had reiterates this, “No one can make you do anything you don’t want to do, which is why hypnosis has a poor track record for helping people quit.” It has helped blood sugar levels and even reduced the amount and seriousness of asthma attacks (Castleman 397). Though the success of the hypnotic session is determined by whether or not the person reached their desired goal (Temes 13). Having a realistic goal to begin with is mandatory for success. However long-term effectiveness of hypnosis in treatment of certain disorders hasn’t been studied in depth yet. (Baver 102) It is easy to confuse visualization, meditation, and hypnosis when they all have to do with manipulating thoughts to get a behavioral or …show more content…
Truly a few hypnotized people have failed to come out of the hypnotic trance, most likely a serious problem caused from malfunctions of both the hypnotist and the subject (Key Concepts in Hypnosis). A problem like this is sure to keep away any future subjects, but it happens so rarely that it does not prove as a setback. Some approach hypnosis with misinformation that shown in children is normally a positive thing (Temes 236). Before trying to rid a pestering pain with hypnosis one should first seek out medical attention for it could be because of something not curable through hypnosis, like a tumor or something more or less serious. In a case like this hypnosis could mask the pain and the true reason would go undetected when the real treatment should have been surgery (Key Concepts in Hypnosis). If it was simply a behavior needing to be modified medical attention would not necessarily need to be sought after. Sometimes difficulties take place when the hypnotized person perceives the hypnotic session in the wrong manner (Key Concepts in Hypnosis). Subjects take what the hypnotist says very literally, therefore it is important to be specific and not vague with the suggestions (Hadley 46). If caught in this sort of bind it can be
Jacob McGowan
Central Carolina
10/26/2014
Abstract This paper will focus on information learned about post-hypnotic suggestion. Post-hypnotic suggestion is a suggestion made to a hypnotized person that specifies an action to be performed after awakening, often in response to a cue.(Farlex, 2014). I will explain information such as the history, therapeutic uses, the negatives, and more. History of Hypnosis
Originally thought of as witchcraft, hypnosis did not have a bright start with people, who rejected its validity. What we now call hypnotists used to be called witches, and later, charlatans who were mere entertainers (Temes 3). Franz Anton Mesmer, who is considered the father of hypnosis, began with …show more content…
It is no longer a question of if hypnosis is real; because it has been proven that it is indeed real. Chronic pain areas that it has helped included pain from cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and tension headaches (Baver 158). Phobias, fears, anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, stress, post-trauma anxiety, grief, self-esteem, motivation, learning, sports, natural child birth, and smoking are all among the vast area hypnosis can assist with (Hadley 14-15) (Mental Health and Hypnosis). To help someone stop smoking through hypnosis proves as one of the harder tasks. Since the craving of wanting to smoke is so strong it’s difficult to break it. Dr. Olness had reiterates this, “No one can make you do anything you don’t want to do, which is why hypnosis has a poor track record for helping people quit.” It has helped blood sugar levels and even reduced the amount and seriousness of asthma attacks (Castleman 397). Though the success of the hypnotic session is determined by whether or not the person reached their desired goal (Temes 13). Having a realistic goal to begin with is mandatory for success. However long-term effectiveness of hypnosis in treatment of certain disorders hasn’t been studied in depth yet. (Baver 102) It is easy to confuse visualization, meditation, and hypnosis when they all have to do with manipulating thoughts to get a behavioral or …show more content…
Truly a few hypnotized people have failed to come out of the hypnotic trance, most likely a serious problem caused from malfunctions of both the hypnotist and the subject (Key Concepts in Hypnosis). A problem like this is sure to keep away any future subjects, but it happens so rarely that it does not prove as a setback. Some approach hypnosis with misinformation that shown in children is normally a positive thing (Temes 236). Before trying to rid a pestering pain with hypnosis one should first seek out medical attention for it could be because of something not curable through hypnosis, like a tumor or something more or less serious. In a case like this hypnosis could mask the pain and the true reason would go undetected when the real treatment should have been surgery (Key Concepts in Hypnosis). If it was simply a behavior needing to be modified medical attention would not necessarily need to be sought after. Sometimes difficulties take place when the hypnotized person perceives the hypnotic session in the wrong manner (Key Concepts in Hypnosis). Subjects take what the hypnotist says very literally, therefore it is important to be specific and not vague with the suggestions (Hadley 46). If caught in this sort of bind it can be