Application Of Hypnosis

Hypnosis has a definite value in the practice ofdifficulties which otherwise could not be attacked.
medicine, which was shown very early in its history,Also of paramount importance is the fact that the
and as medical men acquire a better understanding ofhypnotized patient is in a receptive state for
psychology, its value will probably increase. In generalpsychotherapy. The difficulty involved in getting
practice the technique can be utilized to quiet andpatients to accept therapeutic suggestions directly
reassure the patient and to establish that desirableconstitutes the greatest obstacle in psychotherapy.
state of rapport between physician and patient .Hypnosis renders the person receptive. Indeed, as has
In Europe, particularly in Germany and France, it hasbeen mentioned before, it is a state of enhanced
been used to some extent as a direct surgical aid insuggestibility. Consequently, by means of hypnotism it
both major and minor procedures. In certain patients itis possible to implant therapeutic ideas upon the
can be used as a substitute for drugs in producingsubconsciousness and to have them take effect
anaesthesia, and since the time of Esdaille it has beenwhen endless numbers of suggestions given in the
used repeatedly for this purpose. It has the advantagewaking state would be given no heed or even actively
over anaesthetics of affording the patient peace ofresisted. Thus the patient accepts hypnotic
mind, a sense of security and confidence, and it has nosuggestions and acts upon them without conscious
afteraffects. However, even at the present day itsawareness and without building defense reactions. In
application in the field of surgery should be limitedso doing he allows them to become a valid part of his
properly to the minor field until the general medicalmental patterns, all the more so since fundamentally, if
practitioner as well as the laity have a betternot immediately, he does desire aid against his conflicts.
understanding of psychological manifestations.By this means patients can be given new mental
It has also been used successfully in obstetrics andequipment wherewith to deal with their difficulties, a
undoubtedly would be used much more if there werenew equipment which does not have to pass the
not such a misapprehensive, fearful attitude toward it.protective scrutiny of their consciousness.
A primary objection to its use by the medical man,Hypnosis is not to be looked upon as panacea nor is it
remediable by proper study of the practice, is theto be discarded because it has definite limitations. On
difficulty experienced in inducing and maintainingthe contrary, it is a valuable addition to the medical
trances. No hypnotists know for a certainty whether orarmamentarium, most particularly to that of the
not they are going to succeed with a particular subjectpsychiatrist.
at a given time or whether their technique for thePerhaps the most fertile and productive application of
occasion will be sufficient for the maintenance of thehypnotism is in the sphere of experimental psychology.
trance. But this is more fortunate than otherwise, sinceMore and more laboratories are becoming interested in
the therapeutic and medical application of hypnosisthe peculiar and significant problems which hypnosis
should not be taken lightly or left in the hands of therenders available for study. This rapidly increasing
dilettante.interest in experimental hypnotism both in this country
In the field of psychological medicine, however,and abroad may be taken as an indication of a
hypnosis offers a unique approach to many mentalgrowing realization of the fruitfulness of hypnosis as a
problems and difficulties. Its value lies in the fact that itfield of scientific research. It constitutes almost a
allows the physician to approach directly thevirginal territory for psychological investigations, and it
subconsciousness of the person with its disturbingappears to offer a good approach to an understanding
conflicts. It often serves as a gateway through hisof many mental mechanisms which have hitherto
resistances and allows indirect approaches to manydefied comprehension.