hypnotherapy

Last reviewed 01/2018

Hypnotherapy:

• can be used to try and control an individual control unwanted behaviour, emotions or biological processes
• the hypnotherapist induces a hypnotic state in the patient - this is a natural state of focused attention or mental absorption
• is not known how hypnotherapy works
  • one theory is that hypnotherapy modulates activity in brain structures involved in the regulation of consciousness
  • another theory is the areas of the brain associated with attentional focus are more active in the hypnotic state
  • not clear to what extent hypnotherapy's effects are attributable to psychological or physiological processes
• different people vary in their susceptibility to hypnosis
  • susceptibility appears to be linked to the patient's ability to focus his or her attention during activities such as reading or listening to music (1)
  • susceptibility to hypnosis does not seem to be related to features of the patient's personality (such as submissiveness or gullibility) - however negative attitudes to hypnotherapy can influence outcome
• patients in the hypnotic state typically behave as active problem-solvers, not automatons, while being responsive to the expectations expressed by the practitioner (1)

Reference:

1. Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2005; 43:41-8.