Self-hypnosis
Encyclopedia
Self-hypnosis is a form of hypnosis
which is self-induced, and normally makes use of self-suggestion ("autosuggestion
"). Listening to pre-recorded audio or other media is often mistaken for self-hypnosis, but is just another form of hypnosis.
. It can take the form of hypnosis carried out by means of a learned routine.
In a later work, Observations on Trance or Human Hybernation (1850), Braid provides probably the first account of self-hypnosis by someone employing it upon themselves.
was one of the most influential figures in the subsequent development of self-hypnosis. His method of "conscious autosuggestion" became an internationally-renowned self-help system at the start of the 20th century. Although Coué distanced himself from the concept of "hypnosis", he sometimes referred to what he was doing as self-hypnosis, as did his followers such as Charles Baudouin
. Modern hypnotherapists regard Coué as part of their own field.
is a relaxation technique developed by the German psychiatrist Johannes Schultz
and first published in 1932. Schultz based his approach on the work of the German hypnotist Oskar Vogt
.
in 1941.
His technique was developed over the space of two years during which he tested the methods with just over 200 subjects. Salter described methods of teaching self-hypnosis by,
1. Autohypnosis by post-hypnotic suggestion.
2. Autohypnosis by memorised trance instructions. (Scripted suggestions.)
3. Fractional autohypnosis. (Part learning.)
Salter's behavioural approach, influenced by Clark L. Hull
, was a primitive precursor of modern hypnotic skills training programmes such as the Carleton Skills Training Programme developed by Nicholas Spanos
.
At the same time, Kihlstrom questions the extent to which most self-hypnosis qualitatively resembles the experience of traditional hetero-hypnosis.
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is "a trance state characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation and heightened imagination."It is a mental state or imaginative role-enactment . It is usually induced by a procedure known as a hypnotic induction, which is commonly composed of a long series of preliminary...
which is self-induced, and normally makes use of self-suggestion ("autosuggestion
Autosuggestion
Autosuggestion is a psychological technique that was developed by apothecary Émile Coué from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.-Origins:...
"). Listening to pre-recorded audio or other media is often mistaken for self-hypnosis, but is just another form of hypnosis.
Uses
Self-hypnosis is used extensively in modern hypnotherapyHypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is a therapy that is undertaken with a subject in hypnosis.The word "hypnosis" is an abbreviation of James Braid's term "neuro-hypnotism", meaning "sleep of the nervous system"....
. It can take the form of hypnosis carried out by means of a learned routine.
Braid
The English term "hypnotism" was introduced in 1841 by the Scottish physician and surgeon James Braid. According to Braid, he first employed "self-hypnotism" (as he elsewhere refers to it) two years after discovering hypnotism, first teaching it to his clients before employing it on himself.
My first experiments on this point [i.e., self-hypnosis] were instituted in the presence of some friends on the 1st May, 1843, and following days. I believe they were the first experiments of the kind which had ever been tried, and they have succeeded in every case in which I have so operated.
In a later work, Observations on Trance or Human Hybernation (1850), Braid provides probably the first account of self-hypnosis by someone employing it upon themselves.
Coué
Émile CouéÉmile Coué
Émile Coué de la Châtaigneraie was a French psychologist and pharmacist who introduced a method of psychotherapy and self-improvement based on optimistic autosuggestion....
was one of the most influential figures in the subsequent development of self-hypnosis. His method of "conscious autosuggestion" became an internationally-renowned self-help system at the start of the 20th century. Although Coué distanced himself from the concept of "hypnosis", he sometimes referred to what he was doing as self-hypnosis, as did his followers such as Charles Baudouin
Charles Baudouin
Charles Baudouin was a French-Swiss psychoanalyst, who combined Freudianism with elements of the thought of Carl Jung and Alfred Adler.-Works:...
. Modern hypnotherapists regard Coué as part of their own field.
Autogenic Training
Autogenic trainingAutogenic training
Autogenic training is a relaxation technique developed by the German psychiatrist Johannes Heinrich Schultz and first published in 1932. The technique involves the daily practice of sessions that last around 15 minutes, usually in the morning, at lunch time, and in the evening. During each session,...
is a relaxation technique developed by the German psychiatrist Johannes Schultz
Johannes Heinrich Schultz
Johannes Heinrich Schultz was a German psychiatrist and an independent psychotherapist. Schultz became world famous for the development of a system of self-hypnosis called autogenic training.- Life :...
and first published in 1932. Schultz based his approach on the work of the German hypnotist Oskar Vogt
Oskar Vogt
Oskar Vogt was a German physician and neurologist. He was born in Husum - Schleswig-Holstein...
.
Salter
Reputedly, the first major academic journal article on self-hypnosis, ‘Three techniques of autohypnosis’, was published by the hypnotherapist and early behavior therapist Andrew SalterAndrew Salter
Andrew Salter was the founder of Conditioned Reflex Therapy, an early form of behaviour therapy which emphasized assertive and expressive behaviour as the way to combat the inhibitory personality traits which Salter believed were the underlying cause of most neuroses...
in 1941.
Salter wrote an article describing the modus operandi of self-hypnosis but couldn’t get it published. None of the professional journals would touch the piece. At length, after many rebuffs, he sent a copy to Professor Clark Leonard Hull, of Yale’s Psychology Department. Hull is the author of a work entitled Hypnosis & Suggestibility, and is not only one of the chief oracles of American psychology, but perhaps the world’s greatest oracle on matters pertaining to hypnotism. Hull read Salter’s article (though he had never heard of Salter) and was sufficiently impressed to send it along to the Journal of General Psychology, of which he is an editor.
His technique was developed over the space of two years during which he tested the methods with just over 200 subjects. Salter described methods of teaching self-hypnosis by,
1. Autohypnosis by post-hypnotic suggestion.
2. Autohypnosis by memorised trance instructions. (Scripted suggestions.)
3. Fractional autohypnosis. (Part learning.)
Salter's behavioural approach, influenced by Clark L. Hull
Clark L. Hull
Clark Leonard Hull was an influential American psychologist who sought to explain learning and motivation by scientific laws of behavior. Born in Akron, New York, Hull obtained bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Michigan, and in 1918 a PhD from the University of...
, was a primitive precursor of modern hypnotic skills training programmes such as the Carleton Skills Training Programme developed by Nicholas Spanos
Nicholas Spanos
Nicholas P. Spanos , PhD, was Professor of Psychology and Director of the Laboratory for Experimental Hypnosis at Carleton University from 1975 to his death in a single engine plane crash in 1994.-Biography:...
.
Self-Hypnosis and Stress
Self-hypnosis can be used to induce relaxation, which counteracts stress, and can be used to strengthen ones self esteem. This is done by teaching the patient self-hypnotic techniques which allows the therapist to metaphorically communicate messages to the patient. The patient can also be taught coping strategies that help alter their perception of stressful events and promote relaxationResearch
Reviewing the findings of three previous studies in this area, John F. Kihlstrom recently concluded,
Comparisons of self-hypnosis with more traditional 'hetero-'hypnosis show that they are highly correlated.
At the same time, Kihlstrom questions the extent to which most self-hypnosis qualitatively resembles the experience of traditional hetero-hypnosis.