Hypnosis

Abstract

Clinical hypnosis is an important therapeutic tool with an increasingly understood cognitive and neurobiological basis, and evidence for efficacy. Hypnosis involves controlled modulation of components of cognition—such as awareness, volition, perception and belief—by an external agent (the hypnotist) or by oneself (self-hypnosis) employing suggestion. In this article, we describe what hypnosis is, how it can be used in clinical settings, and how it is done.

Intimate relationships and hypnosis: insecure adult attachment affects emotions and absorption during hypnosis

“…Hypnosis is a complex field and people’s responses depend on many factors, including personality ( Gibson and Corcoran, 1975 ), beliefs ( Phillips et al, 2022 ) empathy ( Barrett, 2016 ) and more. The attachment style-hypnosis relationship has been proposed as well ( Varga, 2021 ), although this connection has received very little attention in experimental hypnosis.…”

Hypnotherapy and therapeutic suggestion: bridging the gap between evidence and utility

“…The formal induction of a trance or hypnotic state (focused relaxation), which might be called neutral hypnosis (Cardeña 2013), is to be differentiated from the use of therapeutic suggestion (the making of positive suggestions to produce intended beneficial effects), for example in healthcare (Phillips 2022). The induction of neutral hypnosis plus the use of therapeutic suggestion together make up ‘hypnotherapy’, but an induction process and/or ‘hypnosis’ is not necessary for people to respond to positive suggestions (although neutral hypnosis does produce a small but significant increase in response) (Kirsch 2001).…”

“…What is missing from Chan et al's article is discussion of the most common uses of hypnosis and therapeutic suggestion in psychiatry. These include the management of medically unexplained symptoms (or functional disorders) and of comorbid physical and mental illnesses in adults and children (Phillips 2022). These problems are often encountered in liaison psychiatry.…”

Paradigm’s relevance in empirical research biases: Hypnotizability, resilience, and self-control, an empty systematic review.

“…Accordingly, it is essential to know whether hypnotizability is a factor that can help prevent the development of pathology and somatizations and improve individuals’ quality of life. Studies show that hypnosis helps foster resilience (Facco, 2020; Facco et al, 2018; Phillips et al, 2022). Consequently, improving the person’s hypnotizability with the programs that have been previously tested (Cangas & Pérez, 2006; Diamond, 1977; Gfeller & Gorassini, 2010; Gorassini & Spanos, 1986) could improve the capability of resilience.…”