MEDICAL HYPNOTHERAPY

Abstract

Hypnosis, as a term comes from the Greek word hypnos, and as an art dates back to ancient times. The nature of hypnotism and its potential application in medicine have been studied by official committees, and relevant statements from published reports are quoted. Many theories have been set out to explain the hypnotic state; several are briefly mentioned and the atavistic theory is described. The various phenomena that can be obtained and the potential therapeutic use of hypnosis depend upon the trance depth; patient susceptibility, trance‐related events and clinical application are enlarged upon. Is it possible to “pick” the person who will readily go into a deep trance? Who should be rejected? These questions are answered. The possible dangers of hypnosis (to the subject or patient, to the operator, to medicine and to hypnosis itself) are considered. Case histories, specific reference to particular techniques, and relevant aspects of the disease states are used to illustrate the place of hypnotherapy in anxiety, psychiatric conditions, asthma, neurodermatitis and other skin conditions, nocturnal enuresis, cardiac arrhythmias, migraine, obesity, stammering, obstetrics and gynæcoogy (childbirth, nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, frigidity), anæsthesia and surgery, hyperhidrosis and dentistry.