PSYCHOMYTHOLOGY- Series on Popular Myths about Psychology- 2
- Lyn Georgy
- Oct 12, 2014
- 5 min read
There is but a thin line between matters pertained to the mind. Often it’s blurred.
Hypnotism is one such construct, that sits on the borders of reality and fantasy. Before moving on to the myth let me just put some things in place.
Often confused amongst the general public are a few words like- psychology, and it’s often considered synonymous with psychic and psycho. I have often heard people say – “oh, he is psychic” (when they actually meant he is a psychologist or even vice versa). I have been called by many a patient as a ‘psycho’. Well, hopefully they are mistaken. Here are the clarifications (simple)-
Psychologist– someone who studies behavior, overtime (s)he may get an additional degree/specialization, which then is indicated by adding as a suffice to the job title say for eg. When they study abnormal behavior, techniques to manage the same, they get a suffice say clinical, counseling etc, when they study organizational behavior- the suffice may be- organizational psychologist etc.
Psychic– A psychic is a person who claims to use extrasensory perception (ESP) to identify information hidden from the normal senses, or to manipulate objects mentally in a process known as psychokinesis. The word “psychic” is also used as an adjective to describe such abilities. Psychics may be theatrical performers, such as stage magicians, who use techniques such as ‘hypnosis’, cold reading, and hot reading to produce the appearance of such abilities. (Source- Wikipedia, 2014)
Psycho – A mental health slang used for a person who is mentally ill and often dangerous or violent. (Source- Merriam-Webster dictionary, 2014)
So to clarify i’m neither a psycho, nor a psychic. I’m a psychologist, a clinical psychologist at that.
I guess this intro is sufficient for
Myth 2- Psychologists’ can read your minds cause they can hypnotize you! And it doesn’t end with that they can even make you do stuff without your own knowledge and you can’t control that!
I’m gonna clarify this myth with a series of simple Q & A’s about hypnotism.
Q: What is hypnosis?
A: I already mentioned the grey areas of psychology. Well this is one. There are different takes to define this construct. Some people think that it is an ‘altered state of consciousness’, but since currently there isn’t any agreed definition of consciousness this argument can go around in circles. Today rather than saying ‘states of consciousness’, hypnosis can be understood in terms of the hypnotic suggestions generating specific brain activity. Hypnosis is an altered state of awareness, perception or consciousness. It is a highly relaxed state. This may be triggered by certain suggestions made to the subject. We now believe that the change is a result of a communication between hypnotist and subject which can affect the way the brain processes information. Research psychologists are interested in what hypnosis is, and studies are underway on what effects hypnosis can have upon medical and psychological conditions. Such research is published in journals.
Q: Is hypnosis real?
A: In short: According to current research – yes! Hypnotic suggestions can alter people’s sensations and perceptions. For example, hypnotic suggestion can be used to alter your perception of pain. Studies which measure brain activity have shown that hypnosis and hypnotic suggestions alter the way that the brain processes information. Randomised controlled clinical trials have shown that hypnosis can be an effective treatment for pain, and an effective part of treatments for other conditions. People often doubt whether hypnosis is real because it would be very easy to ‘fake’ a hypnotic response, and while this is true, there are also real measurable effects.
Q: Can anyone be hypnotized?
A: Yes, everybody is hypnotizable to some extent – some more than others. Susceptibility to hypnosis can be measured(on a hypnotic susceptibility scale). Researchers tend to classify people as ‘highs’, ‘mediums’, or ‘lows’. About 80% of people are in the ‘medium’ band – meaning that they can experience many of the effects of hypnotic suggestion, and are likely to benefit from its clinical use if necessary. Approximately 10% of the population is considered highly hypnotizable – meaning that they can readily experience quite dramatic changes in sensation and perception with hypnosis. Roughly 10% are classified as ‘low’ – meaning that they have not responded strongly to hypnosis.
Q: Can hypnosis make me do things I don’t want to do?
A: Simple answer- NO. Hypnosis cannot compel people to do things they don’t want to do. In hypnosis you retain power over your ability to act upon suggestions, although if you do allow yourself to act upon a suggestion you may feel as though the effects are happening by themselves. On a similar note, and it can’t force you to be truthful either. Often people do things in response to social demands.
Q: Is hypnosis like sleep?
A: The short answer is no. Although the word hypnosis is derived from the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos, studies have shown that hypnosis and sleep differ. Studies of brain activity have shown that although there are characteristic patterns of brain activity associated with sleep the same has not been demonstrated of hypnosis. To observers hypnosis might appear to be like sleep because suggestions of relaxation are commonly given as part of a hypnotic routine.
Q: What is the difference between the hypnosis you see on stage and those done by professionals, also if yes what conditions can hypnosis treat and who can treat?
A: When we use hypnosis to treat psychological and medical conditions we call it hypnotherapy (clinical hypnosis). Clinical hypnosis is a stark contrast to stage like hypnosis though they have parallels since they stem from the same idea. It’s refined overtime, by professionals to aid treatment. Also there are different types of hypnotherapy available to you, as certain techniques will be better suited to certain situations and circumstances and there is relevant research about using hypnosis to treat illness. However, ‘hypnotherapy’ is a controversial term. Also not all psychologists are trained in this technique. Certain Professional organizations believe that only suitably qualified professionals (such as doctors, dentists, psychologists) should use hypnosis (after they have undergone the required training for the same), and that they should use it as a tool alongside their other professional skills. In their view hypnosis isn’t a treatment in its own right, so a clinician would say “I’m a psychologist/doctor/dentist who uses hypnosis” rather than“I’m a hypnotherapist”.
To quote Martin Orne: “If a person is not professionally qualified to treat something without hypnosis, then they’re not qualified to treat something with hypnosis, either. First you look for that professional certificate on the wall — physician, dentist, clinical psychologist, or whatever. Then you look for the certificate of hypnosis.”
Currently In the mental health area, it is used for phobias, anxiety, sexual problems, alcoholism, smoking control, speech disorders, weight control, chronic pain, age regression therapy, self-esteem/ego strengthening, memory/concentration improvement and forensic work. In medicine, it uses include anesthesia and surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, control of bleeding, pain control, burn therapy, dermatology and habit control. Dentistry uses it to control fear, dental surgery, saliva control, gagging, bruxism, control of bleeding, tongue biting and general oral hygiene.
So In short Hypnotism is like an identical twin, one closer to reality (clinical hypnotism) the other closer to fantasy (stage Hypnotism). Despite the difference rest assured friends you can’t be hypnotized without your consent, you cannot be compelled into telling the truth or doing things you never wanted. Also they are not a definite cure for anything but offer works well as an adjunct (i.e. when added to an already existing treatment protocol)
Research states so, not me :P. If you still have doubts read through the references provided.
Reference-
2. http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/01/hypnosis.aspx
3. http://www.apa.org/topics/hypnosis/media.aspx?item=2#
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