Approval and Application

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With the advent of new anaesthetics such as chloroform and ether, the technique of hypnotherapy fell out of use, although it was obvious that it could successfully deaden pain.

Around the 1900s, hypnotism was again investigated by the British Medical Association, but approval was not forthcoming. It has only recently regained some popularity with hypnotherapists viewing the trance as a condition in which body and mind can be calm and serene. While in this state, alterations can be made that are not achievable while the patient is completely conscious.

The state of being neither fully awake nor fully asleep can be compared to when a person is 'miles away', i.e. daydreaming, or to a person who is sleepwalking. Whilst in a trance a person can function correctly and carry out tasks, converse sensibly and carry out requests. Unlike a sleepwalker, a person in a trance is open to requests or suggestions from the therapist. Both mental or physical changes can be effected, such as the lessening of pain, healing disorders and encouraging relaxation.

Sometimes, a patient may have a problem that originates with an event that happened some time ago, e.g. in their childhood. If this is the case, and the patient can be helped to accept what has happened in the past through the use of hypnotherapy, this can also boost morale and self-confidence.

The aim of hypnotherapy is that the patient and therapist work together to achieve a cure. There is a variety of disorders that have been treated with success, such as migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and skin disorders along with other problems caused by stress and anxiety. Illnesses known as hysterical illness are a relatively common problem that hypnotherapists treat. They include phobias (a fear of flying, heights, etc), insomnia and asthma. The pain of childbirth can also be relieved.

To ensure that any hypnotherapist is fully trained, it is advisable to contact the relevant professional organization. As well as the hypnotherapist being fully trained, a patient must feel that they can trust and talk openly to their therapist on personal matters, if need be. The nature and character of the therapist is therefore also extremely important so that the two can work together to alleviate the problem.

The cost of private sessions, and the number needed can vary considerably although on average five to ten sessions will be required, depending on the condition being treated. Consultations may differ in manner from one therapist to another but detailed case notes will be taken including all relevant treatments, both past and current, and any other information that it is felt might be relevant to the problem. Each session will last from approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.

It is not usual for hypnosis to be used at the first consultation although a patient's reaction to it may be assessed. The patient should also be fully informed as to the content of each session and should be prepared to cooperate with the therapist in any discussion as to the aim of the treatment.

Reputation

Hypnotherapy often receives a bad press. It is frequently associated in people's minds with stage or television shows where people are sometimes made to look extremely foolish when hypnotized. The impression created is that the subject, usually someone from the audience who has been foolish enough to volunteer, is completely under the control of the hypnotist.

Lots of stories, many of them doubtless apocryphal, circulate about how people injured themselves or were even killed or died while under hypnosis.

There may be a few charlatans in hypnosis, but then so there are in most areas of life, including therapy and healing. There are a great many skilled hypnotists as well, however, using their skills for therapeutic purposes, and many members of the medical and dental professions recognize that hypnosis can play an important role in mental and physical health.